Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1819-09-28
SABBATH SCHOOLS.


Sabbath School instruction, we hope it will BIZ
read with interest and profit by many of ths
rising generation. III lilicothe Recorder
/ II is delightful TO notice the tokens O.
the divine appreciation which SO frequent
| ly in late days, attend the benevolent and
lpious efforts Of Sabbath School teachers
And happy will that youth be, who re.
CARDS such public notice of the Lords
goodness to any unknown young fellow.
simmer, as call on him. from his great
God and Saviour.
In distant village lived careless
family, who seldom darkened the door Of
any church, and never it is believed, did
they raise the voice of prayer but when
they were calling on the Almighty to damn
those who had offended them. Under
such dreadful instruction and example, and
parents too Samuel and James -,
lived. As might naturally be expected,
when they had attained, the one his 18th,
and the other his l4th year, both were
regarded with sorrowful concern, by many
as swift travellers 10 ruin.
But it pleased that being who endowed
a dear little band with " charity which
was not rash, or Wanted not itself-but
suffered long and was kind" to establish a
Sabbath School. 1t was conducted in an
interesting and able manner. Many were
induced by the rewards which were given
to read and memorize the Sacred Scrip
lures. Samuel and James at last were to
be seen repeatedly among the interesting
group-and after some months, by the d.
vine blessing on the efforts of those who
acted like dutiful parents, both Of the
little brothers deserted the ranks of young
clustering sweasers, end lennsing igno-
rant Sabbsth-breakers. TWAS evident to
the estinabIe gentlemen, their teachers,
/" that these boys we're not content with
mere negative goodness"--that they were
not content with mere laboring to cease
from evil, but we're learning to do we'll.
In little barn they daily met for retired
social prayer. Here they probably often
held sweet communion with the Father of
their spirits. But they did not long enjoy
the concealment Of this little Bethel. BY
an imprudent action of stranger, which
evinced his hardiiiood in guilt, as well as
the determinate but retired devotion of
the youth, who were rudeIy disturbed
while engaged 10 social duty, they we're
induced to search out more private
place in which to hold communion with
Him whom they regarded as their Maker,
their Redeemer, and their Judge. This
place was no other than dark disagreed
BILE cellar SO that they could not con-
veniently address the Hearer of prayer in
that posture which is so becoming and
expressive 10 poor, sinful, dependent crea.
lures. All Samuel and James had not
the deep shades of the, grove, or the dis
tant chamber, or the lonely closet into
which they might have retired, as many
OF their unknown young brothers land
namesakes tool now have. Shortly after
this retired place was selected, bundle
Of straw was conveyed into it privately,
by the elder brother. And here these
dear young followers of the Redeemer,
we're accustomed to meet, and jointly to
pray TO that God who saw them 10 the dark,
Only a few weeks had elapsed before
another removal was deemed proper-but
it was happy removal; and both parents
and children will think Of it with peculiar
joy and delight through all eternity. Ac-
cidentally the father discovered the straw
in the cellar. He asked his son Samuel,
/" what it was put there for % The boy,
with firmness Of resolution and cool
ness Of temper which might have thrown a
Iusire even round aged piety, replied,
/" Father james and used to go into
the barn to pray; but some one threw
stones at the door: and when we came into
the cellar it was so muddy, that / brought
the straw down-and it was spread it
there, that we might kneei on IT," The
reply was enough for prayerless father.
With downcast eye, and with sinking
heart, he went into room; but when his
hand was on the lock Of the door, he ex-
claimed, ooh God is it possible my
children are entering into heaven, and l
am staying back p What his VOWS aud
engagements were after he closed the
door, are only known to Him who Iooketh
on the heart. 10 very little time a
striking and complete reformation became
apparent in both father and mother. All
took their stand decidedly for God and
for holiness-all gave full satisfaction to
the officers of respectable church, and
were admitted into full communion. The
voice of prayer and praise is no longer q
stranger to their dwelling. Now peace
dwells within its walls, and prosperity il
perched upon its roof; and the happy in.
habitants are not without the cheering
hope Of being translated to g house moi
made with hands, eternal in the heavens"