The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1862-10-30
Why Should 7 Teach in Sabbath
School?

An ansvc- % tbis question hardly seems
necessary for those VINO have ever engaged
in this delightful task, and know from ex-
perience what . privilege it is, aside from
the duty devOlsing upon every one who ran
assist in this department Of Christian labor,
to do so. Bat perhaps some who were thus
once engaged have, amid the excitement
and interruptions Of the last year, neglect
ed this duty. If so, may few simple an
swers to this question induce them to begin
it again with renewed zeal and energy, and
may some who have never thus employed
their time be induced to consecrate portion
Of it IN this way.
One good reason is to be found in the
fact that teachers are much needed aolg. IL
the reader will visit our schools on Sabbath
morning, he will almost always find one or
more classes without teacher, more espe-
cially since the present unsettled condition
of affairs and when the scholar comes Sab
bath after Sabbath without having teach
or, ne becomes discouraged, aud finally
stays away. Thus teacAer and scholar are
both lost to Tie school, which Is according
IL diminished in activity and efficiency.
Again, we thus obey tie Masters call to
work in the vineyard. To bo sure we car do
this by aiding in any Christian enterprise.
Bat the church IS peculiarly the vineyard,
and the SUDGaY-school the nursery for it
Here We come in direct contact With the
hearts Of the young to whom peculiar
promises are made; and By de blessing Of
Col upoa ourefo9ts they may become plants
in his vineyard, and finally .ransplanted
frou the church below TO that above. We
often feel IL 60 he 9 difficult thing to press
the subject Of religion home to the hearts
Of our friends, (aud this personal appeal
from friend TO friend Is too much neglected
but as Sunday-school teachers If ,rs taI to
do this we fail in the object Of such instruc-
ton, and must feel that We have been IN
faithful TO those committed TO our care and
unfaith.ul TO Hin who has said, 90 Feed my
lambs"
Again, when we united with the church
we promised to strjre ofer eminent attain
meats ia piety, Christian usltllness and kaov-
ledge. The faithful teacher is enabled to
fulfil this promise; for the lively interest
We feel in others increases our zeal, and in
order to instruct our classes we must be
taught ourselves. Thus we grow in the
knowledge Of the truth. In this way We
learn the meaning Of many passages Of
Scripture which We would not otherwise
comprehend. They require study to appre-
ciate them, and the casual reader who reads
only for himself, is not apt to devote that
time to the searching Of the Scriptures which
they require, and which We are commanded
to give them.
Yet another reason is, that the Sunday
school teachers iabors meet ,eith sach q stceet
and rich REGARD. The purest pleasure we
ever experience is the feeling of having
benefited another, and none but he who
has felt it can have any conception of the
pure Joy that fills the heart, when we feel
that we have been instrumental in leading
a soul to Christ. Think You not that heay-
en- will be happier to US in proportion to the
number we shall meet among its holy socie-
ty, who in consequence Of a word or en-
treaty from rs were induced to forsake sin
on earth, and shall be redeemed from sin
in heavens Come then all who can, and
assist in this work, and you shall share this
glorious reward.
a SABBATH SCHOOL TEACHER.