The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-01-21

full in the world. We may hope to accomplish
this, FIR some of the bria htcst examples of
picty in the history Of the church, hive been
among children, and have exhibited all the
grac-s of the gospel in their tender lives.
urekncss, patience. truthfu'nes., resignation in
sickness, and triumph in death. How great
then is our work, aud how ample our arrange.
ment in 1t
All have duty to do in this great Sunday
school cause. All, who love Him who "took
little children in His arms and blessed them"
| ought to engage in it with an ardor never sbat.
ing, purpose unrelaxin and faith never
failing All may not b. able to teach in the
Sunday school, or even attend regularly, but
they may assist by helping to gather in such
children as are not afforded religious instruc-
ton at home, or ut church. Missionary labor
| would greatly advance our cause, and why need
all this be left to the pastor and an occasional
teacher. or scholar? Parents, pastor, and
teachers should all be united in the work. An
occasional sermon adapted pccu iarly to the
children written Tor them to understand and re-.
member, would not fail to have its effect As
long ns there arc SO many in our county who
| are not christians. SD many who never bend the
knee, or uprase the pleading grateful hands,
or pour out from soul deep burtlened with a
sense OF quiet burning tears, and broken words
| how can one Of Christ's flock refuse to come
up to the work of teaching the innocent ones
to be pure aud holy, and to honor Him
But marvellous as it mas seem, as we look
around upon society, we find many christian
men and women, in this new Country where
Gods laws are SO openly and flagrautly violat.
ed, standing alOof from this enterprise. 1t is
| to be feared that too many are careless and liv.
| ing at their ease. instead of carrying Oh this
work with all diligence and zeal that they are
forgetting tn" obligations resting upon every
one who has set himself apart from the world
| and prOfessed to be Christ's "Go work in nv
vineyard" is u command Of our Saviour's. and
where can christian seeking to do his Mas
ter's service find a better field than in the Sun.
| day school ? Surely our lifetime was intended
by its great Author to be the scene Of activity
and usefulness Its duties are made up, not Of
great sacrifices and famous deeds, but in little
things in which smiles and kindness, and small
obligations given habitually to win and preserve
the heart and secure comfort, have prominent
part These little tokens Of love are dOublv
| returned to the faithful teacher from the tender
hearts in which he has found large place. no
look Of real atfectionate interest, with which
We regard the young, will ever be lost; no kind
word will go unrewsrlc'l, and the reward may
be the unspeakable joy Of guiding their tender
feet to the foot OF the Cross. Thus is our
sIe"u WIFI UOWcTSS anu the reward
Tor all Our wearisome toll is abundant.
Then too. the real advantage Of teaching to
ourselves, is by no means OF little worth for
| when We receive truth and then give it again
| it becomes by this importation more benz II and
| illusrious tO ourselves. TIE attempt to state
| such truth as We may have in our own words,
makes the tr:th doubly clear and impressive to
| our own minds. The strengthening Of others
| 10 greater strength to ourselves; and one
| teaching of Others will be greater lesson to
| ourselves
| But the smile which shall give us the great.
est pleasure the advantage which sh ii be of
| the greatest worth and the reward which shall
| be to us the most welcome and cheering shall
done, good and faithful servant"
| As teachers ard lahorers, we need first to
gather strength to sustain us in our work from
| the great and never failing source Of All Wis.
| dom but We need, too, the sympathy and en-.
enlargement OF co.laborcrs
| Sunday school Conventions in our land are
doing great deal, by bringing together those
engaged i'll different localities to con-
suit and devise more appropriate methods
for the accomplishment of sunday school work
and by adapting it to the wants Of the children
| May this Association from like blessing to
Clayton county. and every individual member
|
youth, by making Sunday school happy place.
Here we all come, in unity-Baptists, M+tho.
dists, Episcopaiians and Congregation,ists
hand in hand. standing on one common grourt
-'thc love Of childhood Tor The sake OF Christ
the love of Christ as it strengthens and in
spires us u care for childhood" 4 union based
upon this ground, is union that should st.nd
and increase, may il become more and more
strongly cemented until VT u: e borne by angels
| to Abraham bosom
May the meetings Of this Association inspire
some earnest worker with desire to organize
Sunday schools in the destitute portions of our
county. No Herculean strength ia required in
their formation no extreme wisdom in plan
ming no g eat intellectual application moth
Ing but a heart alive with the love of Chris,
and 10 souls that are dead to the knowledge oil
salvation throu h Him. Still the work is treat
if not the most promn' Mt and conspicuous, il
is one the most permanent and wide reaching
in its relation to the welfare and progress oi
mankind, aud especially needed at this jun ture
Of our poor, bleeding, distracted country, i,
whose welfare the whole world has SO heavy q
| stake.
McGregor, JAN 18th, 1863.