Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-11-29
SABBATH SCHOOLS.

SABBATH SCHOOLS.
ARTICLE III.
To the Editors Of the Union and American.
deem it best, just here, to speak more
in detail to those who think that home in
fuence and domestic teaching comprehend
all the advantages to be derived from
Sabbath Schools towards enlistIng the
sffections of children on the side of re-
fligion.
The Sabbath School, as before stated in
substance, is not a substitute, does not sup.
plant, but rather supplements family in
struction. Yet, while not antsgonistic,
still its enlarged sphere adds ten fold to
home impressions made upon the youthful
desires and affections, in favor of relig ion.
TOT give practical demonstration of this, |
sfiirm withoRt the fear of successful reflta-
lion, that ten Sabbath School scholars be-
come active working Christians, to where
one takes the same position, who has been
instructed only at home. 1t is not strange
that Gouth, although cInscientiously
taught at home, should thus be strangers
to the church which they never learned to
love at az early age, and to which they
are bound by no ties Of pleasant memory,
fixed habit or constant as association. Now
children not only desire, but naturally
seek association with those of their own
age. This all will admit, and further
more, that the child who has no such
socisl iuclinations i5 an anomaly. Then
those who fail to engage these social afec.
tions on the side Of religion, commit a
fatal, often an irremediable error You
having been taught religion only by itself
or 10 association with persons much older,
with nothing to enlist the bouyant hopeful,
joyous yearnings of childhood, the relig-
ious lesson is viewed first as a task and
finally comes to be despised. With moth
ing to call out the interest, excite the
curiosity, aud rivet the attention, which
may be then said to detest hum-drum
style, and live upon variety and change
it is bat natural Tor the child to hate any
thing presented in such a disagreeable
manner. 10 short, solitude is the death of
affection at this initiative age; much more
will it kill all love for religion.
To look deeper into the matter, and
reason f'om analogy, it is apparent 10
every one that only practice and training
can bring out our physical and mental
powers. For instance, the farmer breath.
ing the pure country air, laboring hard
and faithfully, and regular in all his hab-
iis, becomes the picture of perfect health.
The blacksmith, welding his ponderous
hammer, day after day, in modelling to
use the heated iron, gives to his brswny
viking arm giant power, and strength
suPerhuman. The young man starts in
life, whether at home or at college Self
examination finds him feeble, with all
his mental powers eDeryated. Thus re
aliZirg his weakness, that very conscious
ness becomes source of strength. He
labors, until his weakness rises into
strength, his thought into reflection, his
reflection into resolution, his resolution
into persistent, living action, until he
stands a wrestler upon life's grand Olym-
pic, 10 claim and commend success. The
practical wisdom, the solid common sense
necessary 10 succeed, Is learned not at home
In books, or college, but by Intercourse
with mankind, the constant culture and
discipline Of head and heart in g many
sided world. These are simple illustra.
tious to show the need Of practice and
training, physically aud mentally speak
ing. Now if everything must be subordI-
mated 10 attain such perfection, much
more j. il necessary to use every APPELLANT
TO cultivate in the same degree, our moral
and religious nature. Such being the case,
one canno. do the work of two; family
teaching cannot include both the benefits
Of home aud the Sabbath School. Full
well am aware of the spirit nurtured
within a christian home, of the grsces that
bloom there, and Of the principles there
iucucateds Full well do know the
w1ndrou5 power of parental ministry and
love in soltening the nature, refining the
character, and preparing it for higher in
1uences. Get there ia limit, where this
must cease; at which limit the Sabbath
School begus, and while agreeing with
home teaching enlarges it to an indefinite
extent Truly one il but single spring,
the other a system Of living waters, to
hDw on aud widen on every side. Clearly,
the motive to win the affections and brace
the will must result from the objects used
TO incite 10 effort and fire the ambition.
Who, suffering from a disease that saps
his vitality and do0ms him TO an early d cath,
would question the remedies Of his physi-
clan, or the painful discipline prerequisite
TO restore him to health? Would you not
deem the blind man insane, who would ask
for any other indGcement, 10 adopt a pro-
posed cure, than the certainty that his
sight would be restored thereby? Just as
Y eallh to the sick, and sight to the blind
are unanswerable reasons TO induce them
To use the heallh-inspiring, light-giviug
remedies, Just 30 are the Tendencies, sspira.
tiona, and teachings Of the Sabbath School
IN winning the young affections to religion
and inducing to holiness, goodness and a
christian life unanswersble arguments &c
those who cavil aud doubt in regard there.
to. Hence, nothing can be more potent
than the harmonious union Of the two
For through the influence of both our chill.
dreu grow up With a church spirit as well
as a christian spirit, and like favored, muir.
iured plants, become the light and blessing
OF both the family and the Church. Thu.
the church fixes and impresses its divine
truths in the pure affections Of its chill
dren through its two great agents, the
home circle and the Sabbath School
Thus, through these two agencies, children
grow Up ready to become Christians, ready
TO be modified into the Church prepare,
for the Church 20 throw around them it
golden chords Of sympathy aud love, and
render each one of them the happier, fo
the duty and privileges which its ordi
uauCes establish ATRTTAs