Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-04-02
COMM u MICA TI0M S.
For the Advertiser.
THE SABBATH SCHOOL CAUSE.

For The Advertiser.
THE SABBATH SCHOOL CAUSE.
Col. SIMKrSs-Dear Sir: Believing You to be a
friend to youth, and ever willing to mid in the promo
ton of their interest, ] presume upon your well
known kindness: for place in the columns OF your
paper, for the purpose Of calling the attention If the
friends Of religion, and especially cf the Baplists Of
the EdgcfelI Association, to the Importance OF the
Sabbath School cause. lprcfrr doing this in the
columns of your paper, because it has, believe Il
greater circulation, within the bounds OF the Assoca
ton, than any other, religious or political have
been pleased to see that the attention of said AS
soci,tion has recently been called TO this subject hy
her Moderator. ! hope the call will net be in vain ;
and that the motives there urged will lead 10 such
considerations rs will result in efficient action. The
first step in good work is consideration, the second
is Resolution, the third Action. We may consider
and resolve thousand times, but without action i.
will avail nothing. purpose writing something in
regard to this subject, in addition to what my brother
has said, but touching points different from these
noticed by him.
Ny motive is none other than the hope of doing
good, duty which we are commanded not to forget.
And conscious that neither variety nor ambition
prom7tsmy pen, shall receive an ample reward,
and the only one aspire to, in the sweet conscious
ness of having made an effort for the promotion ola
noble cause-a cause:in,imalely connected with the
tho ~ISnE'ioIr' "s Christ nnI as
seek not MY own interest, but that Of ollers-as !
plead not my cause, but that Of The noble youth
of our land AS do not mark out the road to
wealth and honour but the road to happiness and
heaven do insist that the Christian reader will
not lo"k at the caption, and then at the humble sg-
nature, and throw it idly by as Il theme unworthy
their attention. 1t is well worthy the pruudrst in
tecct and most exalted talents that have ever
adorned our world. Our most profound tlrenl"gians
have ever regarded the early training of youth as
ham un'lcr his dark dispensa,ion, with the sn,mcr
ing rays Of the pospel shining through the dark
vista Of nineteen centuries, commanded his chill
dren and his household after him." and God said
"they shall keep the way of the Lord to do justice
and judgment. &c." The learned and eloquent Paul,
1890 years after, urged the Ephesan brethren 10
bring up their children in 'he nurture and adnoni-
ton of the Lord" When Luther desired 10 tear
down the stronghold of darkness, which had for
ages spread the pa of moral death over Europe
when he desired that the doctrine Of salvation 10y
grace, in opposition TO salvation by pcnancc works,
and well rewarded priestly iuterccssion, SHOULD br
proclaimed throughout the length and breadth Of the
land, how did he set about the accomplishment of
this mighty undertaking. BY the religious nstruc
ton Of youth. In the University Of Nltembury
he cxpoundcd the gospel TO his classes. daily.
nigh, adduce the testimony Of Englands brightest
stars, or Of American divincs, hut need not could
refer To Washington's words in regard to The youth
of the country. could say that one Of the Prcs-
dents Of the United States went from the head ola
Sabbath School to the Presidential chair. To sup
pose there that the Sabbath School is not important
is an indubtable proof that are unworthy Of the
lofty theme, and incapable Of approaching ''thc
hislth Of this great argument"
/. The importance Of the subject. Wise men
have said that the prosperity Of the Church, and the
stability Of governments depend upon the moial
training Of youth II this be true, then the Sabbath
School cause is important and comnends itself to
the christian and the patriot. lfit be true, some
Of our Judges bave stated, that nine out Of ten Of
those tried for capital offences, commenced their
career Of crime by Il violation Of The Sabbath, then
the Sabbath School is impOrtont and commends
itself to the Philanthropst. But more than this
Ir it be true that the youth inclined to follow the
example of those called great, and If it he true hat
the example Of most Of our prominent men, whether
in the halls Of Congress, in other positions, are
such as not only TO corrupt their morals, but to de-
lude their souls to the chambers ofeverlasting death;
and if high standard Of morality is the only safe
guard against such example, then the Sabbath
School cause important. If The minds Of the young
rc capable of ndelIiblc impressions, and if their
future course depends upon the inclination given in
youth, and if they like the tender wig, may receive
this incnatlun at that age but not afterwards, then
the Sabbath School cause is important. For We
may make an impression upon wood, brass and
marble, and the moudcring hand Of time will sson
eis,ce it, but an impression made upon the irnmor-
tai mind will endure forever. II be true that
those who pass the bright hours of youth in sinful
pleasures, perry rarely return to the Saviour; and
il it be true that to taste the pleasure of pety are
necessary to ortfy against the evils OF the world
then the Sabbath School cause is important. If
children have propensity for amusement upon the
Sabbath, and in bad company love to wander over
the fields upon the creeks and in the highways, and
if under these circumstances they are liable to con-
tract habits cOrruptng 10 the morals and ruinous to
the soul then the cause for which Plead is impor-
tant II God told Iii that lie "ould Judge his
house forever for the iniquity which he dili' for