_Teach._ Good morning, my boys; how do you do, this fine morning?
_Eld. B._ Good morning, sir; we are well, I thank you.
_Teach._ You are in good season this morning, and I am glad to see that
you are. It is so much better to be before our time, than to be a little
late. We get along so much better with the business of the school, and
have time to converse together. Besides, to be in school at the opening
of the exercises, shows that you value and wish to improve its
privileges.
_Eld. B._ We were talking about the school, and why we go there. I told
my brother that I went because I like to go. Will you please to tell us
the advantages of attendance on the Sabbath school?
_Teach._ I will, my dear boys, so far as I can. It is well to know what
we are doing, how we are accomplishing our work, and what is to be the
result of our labors.
_Eld. B._ I am very often asked what I learn at the Sabbath school, and
I sometimes answer that I learn what there is in the Bible, and that my
lessons are subjects derived principally from that book.
_Teach._ You answer rightly so far. You might add, also, that you learn
by the example of others. Do you see punctuality? You will learn to be
punctual. Do you see system in the arrangement of the school, in the
method of instruction, in the library department, and in the general
discipline of the school? You will be orderly and correct in your
deportment.
_Eld. B._ As I am almost old enough to be a teacher, and desire to take
a class as soon as I am wanted, I should like to know the best way to
make my scholars interested in their studies, so that they will attend
and be correct with their lessons.
_Teach._ It is often the case that children feel no interest or pleasure
in the school, because they do not understand its object. They may
recite well, so far as to repeat the words of the lesson, yet if it be
above their capacity, they will not be benefited.
_Eld. B._ This has been the case with me sometimes. After I had recited
my lesson correctly by the book, I have felt that I did not know much
about it, and did not understand what I had learned to repeat.
_Teach_. It is of great importance in teaching that the subject should
be presented to the pupil in the simplest form possible, that he may be
profited by his instructions. I read an anecdote the other day which
illustrates this matter, and I will repeat it to you. "It is related of
Dr. Green, of Philadelphia, that in early life he was one day
returning from the services of the sanctuary, and was accosted by a
woman in the humble walks of life. She found difficulty in understanding
him, and took the liberty of giving her youthful pastor a hint. 'Mr.
Green,' says she 'what do you think is the great duty of the shepherd?'
'No doubt, to feed the flock, madam,' was the reply. 'That is my notion
too,' she added, 'and therefore I think he should not hold the hay so
high that the sheep cannot reach it.' This admonition was kindly
received, in the spirit in which it was given, and had an influence in
making him afterwards 'hold the hay lower.'" This fact should cause you
to see to it, as the old lady did with her pastor, that your teachers
present their instructions in such a form that you will understand them.
The hay may be of very good quality, but it will give no nourishment to
the hungry sheep if it is beyond their reach; it will not benefit them
any more than if it were not provided at all. So with your lessons. If
you do not feel an interest in them, if they are beyond your reach, they
may be of no benefit to you. No lasting principle is gained, but the
whole may be lost, as the words of the lesson are lost to memory and
forgotten.
_Eld. B._ What are the results of attendance on the Sabbath school?
_Teach._ That question we answer, partly in faith, and partly by
knowledge. Faith is good;--and we know that our school is a good school;
we know that we enjoy ourselves there; and we know what is learned there
is good. It is there that divine influences and joyful communions fill
with gladness the hour. We enjoy them, and if we could say no more, we
think that this would be sufficient.
_Eld. B._ That is true.
_Teach._ But that is not all; the results go still further. They are not
confined to the hour passed in the schoolroom. The scholar is better and
happier for having been there. Is it not so with you?
_Eld. B._ Yes sir; I always feel better when I have been to the school.
When I have said my lesson, conversed upon the subject of it, and
obtained my library book, I am always glad to have been there.
_Teach._ Your answer is full of hope and promise; for if you now find
your enjoyment in learning the things of the Kingdom of God, those evil
days will never come to you, when you will say you have no pleasure in
them. The Sabbath school scholar who is prompt in his duty is in a safe
path,--one which, while affording happiness by the way, results in the
fulness of joy. To him the example of Christ is an example of love and
goodness, drawing him to the Father by these divine influences and
attractions. "He sees God, not only as the Creator, but as he is
manifested in the world, by his providence, which shows us that he not
only _made_ the world, but that he _makes_ the world; that he is the
same in the creation of the flowers and streams as in the creation of
storms and tempests; that he is not far off, but near, ever blessing us
with the favors of his parental providence; that his power is over
everything; that motion is his power, for there can be no motion without
mind; that God is present in the child. It cannot live by bread alone.
Communion must be held with God--spirit with spirit."
It is recorded of our Savior that he was led into the waters, and was
buried in baptism; the Spirit descended upon him; he heard the
encouragement of that voice which proclaimed his Sonship to the Most
High, and in the enjoyment of that holy time he came up from the river.
Then came the tempter; in the strength of the spirit of the baptism, he
resisted the temptation, and was victorious over all its forms. So with
the object and mission of our Sabbath schools. You are led to the river
of divine truth, that you may be baptized in its pure waters. You are
there shown the Father, and we trust that when you go out into the
world, you will, in the strength of your Sabbath school baptism, resist
and overcome all temptation to wrong, and being always engaged for the
right, and living in the light of the gospel, you will pass through life
undefined; thus may a Christian character be the result of your
attendance on the Sabbath school.