Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-06-27
AN ADDRESS
To the Teachers, Officers and Friends of
Sabbath Schools in Belmont County.

TO the TeaCherS, OmCerS ana Ff1enus OF
Sabbath schools in Belmont County.
The undersigned committee were ap-
pointed by the last County Convention,
to issue all address to you, relative to the
great work which engages so many
Christian hearts and hands.
We congratulate you, fellow-laborers,
that the interest in this cause is increas-
ing so rapidly. An unusual degree of
attention is now given 10 this subject in
many parts of our country. Reports just
received from the State Convention, late:
ly held in Xenia indicate a general
awakening to the fact that the Sabbath
School must be recognized as an impOr-
tdnt and necessary agent Of the Church
in the religious training of the youth of
the land. The time is past when it is
needful to advocate the importance of
this work. Surely it would be a reflec-
ton on your intelligence, if not Oh your
piety. 1t is enough for us to know that
many who once stood aloof or looked
cOldly on these movements, now come
forward and freely acknowledge that it
is the souls work and cannot he success
fully opposed. We speak to you words
of encouragement, therefore, that with
bold hearts and strong hands you may
go forward to greaterse service in the future.
But we are not to pause here, "There
ycU Ncly llluCll lulu W DC BOS-
sessed." Even in this County, there are
eight thousand of our youth who are
without Sabbath School Instruction.
Some may be the children of pious par
ents who are careful to instruct. them, but
the vast majority never have the subject
of religion presented to them, and are
growing up without God so that in re-
gard to their future we cannot but have
the liveliest apprehensions. What can
be done for them? We must make ag-
gressiUe movements. We must advance,
for if we do not, all experience teaches
that we cannot hold our position. 1t is
either adUdnce or recede. And why
should we not advance when the indica-
tions of Providence are that, this is a
propitious time? Let us engage heartily
! in this work and do all that can be done.
More life may be thrown into this SER
vice, harmony of action my be encour-
aged among those who fight in one army
| and seek common victory, and the
great object of the Sabbath School be
better promoted than it has been. "Be
not weary in we'll doing; for in due sea-
son ye shall reap if ye faint not" 1t is
to no mere spasmodic eXertion that we
urge you. Only the continued and ,Oeii
sustained effort will be successful. 1t is
the service of Christ in which you are
engaged, and this you are patiently to
continue, in confidence that it is faith
full Master whom you serve. Soon He
will come, bring N His reward with Him.
Be faithful unto Him.
In this cause many have never engaged.
| The voice of Jesus comes to them in
gentle reproof: "Why stand ye here
idle?" If they disregard all other claims,
will they not hear this voice? Nothing
will move them if this does not. In
Christ's name, we raise an appeal to you
who are standing as idlers in the Lords
vineyard. Has no man hired you? Be-
hold the Savior stands offering you the
crown of eternal life! With His blood
He has not only paid your ransom but
engaged You in His service forever. Come
then, with that talent; bringit forth and
use it for the profit of some dying soul
and for the glory of the Master. Dc
what you can.
"Nor let the meanest think his lamp too dim
| In dark world, the land has need OF him."
Your influence, your money, your time
and your prayers are needed. Go hand
in hand, stand shoulder to shoulder, and
another year will mark greater progress
than has been seen before, and many o.
the thousands around us will no longer
be able TO raise the lamentation, ''no man
has cared .forDly soul"
ROBERT ALEXANDER,
JOHN GRANT,
J. B. JOHNSTON.
ST. CidirsviLie, June 2l, 1867.