The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1867-11-27
Sabbath Schools in Winter.

Many Christians are impressed with
the idea that Sabbath schools cannot be
kept up in the country through the win
ter season. What a mistaken conclusion
AS general thing, secular schools are
better attended during winter than any
other season. There are two reasons for
this: 1. 1t is time of comparative lei
sure-crops have been made and har-
vested, and the outdoor work for the year
has been pretty well completed. 2. 1t
is by far the best season for study-the
nights are long, and there is less in the
external world to divert the attention of
the young.
If these things be true, and no one can
doubt them, whence originated the idea
that Sabbath schools ought to be aban-
doned in the winter? The sentiment will
not bear the test of reason and common
sense. The winter invites to thought and
investigation, season given to us by an
All-wise Creator for mental and moral
improvement, sort of holiday for the
physical man to recruit the intellectual
and spiritual part of our being.
1t is a mistaken idea that children can
not and will not attend Sabbath school
in the winter We venture the assertion
they sciH attend if an opportunity is given
to them. We have had good deal of
experience in this matter, and we assert,
without the fear of contradiction, that
the children are always the last to aban-
don the Sabbath SCHOOL, They never
quit as long as their teachers attend, and
if the opportunity is given, they will not
stay away from school even for the most
inclement weather.
1t is not, then, fearful responsibility
for Sabbath school teachers to assume to
break up these nurseries of the Church,
simply because it is somewhat more in
convenient for them to attend than during
the other seasons of the year? If Satan
would stop his eforts-send in flag of
truce, and cease hostilities, or if Death
would lay aside his mighty scythe during
the winter season, then might Christians,
with some show of propriety, abandon
the youth during that inclement period.
Butinasmuch as neither one of these agents
will stop his work, we see no earthly ex-
cuse for Christian Sabbath school teach
er to retire to winter quarters.
Reason would teach us, even if the
Bible were silent on the subject, that
childhood is the most propitious period of
life to instil into the heart the great prin-
ciples of religion. 1t is common sense
to put the seal to the wax while it is soft;
to bud the tender twig with the fruit we
wish it to bear; to go to the fountain if
va would guide the stream.
The dews OF religious grace are espe-
tally adapted to tender plants and fresh
opening flowers, and are less congenial
Ind less efectual when the growth is more
advanced, and the root has struck deeper
nto the hard, arid soil of this world
Religion has its special LESSONS for youth,
which cannot, with the same ease, be
earned in maturer life. 1t seeks to lay
is molding hand upon minds and hearts
which have not become callous as the
-ether milestone, that it may bring out
.oble specimens of redeemed humanity
or the Church. 1t is true the power of
rod, as in the case of the sacrifice of
llijah, can make fuel even of the stones
f the altar; but this is not the way his
spirit usually operates. The probabili-
les of conversion are, as general thing,
1 proportion to the amount of Bible
ruth that has been lodged in the heart |
f the child.-Banner Of Peace.