American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-11-22
5unoap Reading.
(Com N unica'edJ
SABBATH SCHOOLS.

thoughts upon the subject and impor-
tance of Sabbath Schools; which We
will do in few words. And 1st. Does
not Sabbath School we'll attended,
like any other literary institution, prove
u blessing to its students in an intellec.
tual point Of view? And,
"a, Does not Sabbath School ben
GIFT its attendants in moral scnsc?-
And, Sd. Does not Sabbath School
benefit its adhcrents as. q general thing
in spiritual sense? And,
4th. Has not the Sabbath School
entcrprizo been a great auxiliary to
Tho church of Jesus Christ in main
tanning true piety and godliness?
Is not the Sabbath School then i'm
por:ant! If the questions we have
brought up should demand an afirma-
tive answer; if for no more than litcra-
ny purposes, we think it sufficient rca-
son why they should be gotten up and
kept up, where tho INDECENT Of our
churches and communities may learn
to read not only the words of Eternal
life, but any thing else that may de-
mand their attention, and that without
money and without price.
Are not Sabbath Schools in q moral
sense doubly important from the advan-
tages that are there afforded to teach
those important lessons ofmorality and
manners which is so essential to good
society?
Is it not soul!inspiring to sec the
youth of our community assemble to-
gethcr on tho morning of the Lords
day to read tho last will and testament
of our blessed Redccmcr, and to re-
ccivo such advice as not only to bcnc-
! fit them in time but if acted upon will
be subject of rejoicing for them thro'-
out the annals of Eternity?
Draw a contrast, if you please, be-
tween a ncighborhood or community.
who keep regular Sunday School and
one conducted on the right plan, and
one that has none. Show mo n neigh
borhood of any age that has never had
Sabbath School, and / will show you
rude, ill-manncrly, and in most of ca
ses, an immoral and Sabbath breaking
set of youth; disobedicnt to parents
| unthankful, unholy, without natural
! affection. .
Is not a Sabbath School good thing
morally speaking?
The Sabbath School has without a
doubt, been of infinite value to humid
rcds who are now chanting the praises
of their RedceIner in heaven, while no
doubt there ere hundreds in the church
below who can bear testimony to the
fact that the Sabbath School was the
instrument through which they were
brought to Christ their Saviour. All
! assembled together in one place where
nothing is talked about but something
of spiritual character. Nothing is
read about but something that is hcav-
emily and divine, and where nothing is
sung but praises to God and the Lamb;
would it not, ask, be calculated to
mako impressions Oh the mind Of q spi-
ritual character?
Further, tho Sabbath School has
been a great auxiliary to tho church,
in the development of practical godli-
ness. The church has taken courage
and overcome difficulties which seemed
insurmountablc, and been made to arise
from the dust and sing aloud; and all
through tho instrumcntality Of the Sab
bath School.
Who arc they that throng tho gates
of Zion, and from whence como they?
Why sir, from the Sabbath School they
have come and still they come.
Can our churches dispense with tho
system of Sabbath Schools, or will they
try to plant one in every church, and
in every noighborhood over the length
and breadth of the land? Will not our
churches awake to this important sub
ject? Show me church Of any age
who has never had, neither feels the
importance of this heaven born institu-
ton, and will show you q church, if
not dead, is in the act of dying.
A well conducted Sabbath School
will be of vastly more Importance and
value to O church than great many
things which some value as being far
superior in value to that of Sabbath
School.