The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1868-10-14
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
Report of Committee on Catechetical In
struction, Appointed by the Presbytery
of West Hanover.

y
ton in our bounds would respectfully
state:
That they regard the task assigned
them by Presbytery as being not so much
that of arguing the Importance of this
species of instruction, of which the Pres
bytery is presumed to be already con
vinced, as of indicating suitable mode
for It's exercise in our churches. We
deem it timely indeed to recall and i'm
press upon our minds the value of this
means of grace at season when, not
withstanding orthodox and generally
faithful and Jealous preaching, our pro-
gress with conversion of souls is so lamen-
tably slow. This fact should teach us,
with the many defects of Christian char
acter, that our methods are inadequate,
and should be amended. We need TO be
reminded that Christ and his apostles
have given us sacred precedent for this
species of pastoral labor, by preaching
the Gospel from house to house, that
it is necessary to arouse and keep e.ssse :
our own hearts, by persona sympathy
with the souls of our people, ann 10 rive
us such acquaintance with their
wants and errors, as will prevent -,
preaching at random; that without SUI,
detailed personal instruction We cannot
acquit ourselves of our responsibility as
watchmen of souls; that it is needed TO
prepare the young and ignorant to listen
intelligently to preaching; that such
thorough grounding with principles of
doctrine can alone prevent their being
''blown about by every wind of doctrine; ;"
that it gives an opportunity to deal more
closely with the individual conscience,
by insulating each pupil. And that no
otherwise can we learn the peculiar mis-
takes, sins, and wants of persons, as to
''divide to each of them his portion of
meat in due season"
When we consider the Primitive
Church and the churches of the Refor-
nation, We find that every one of them,
without exception, used catechising as an
essential and constant means of instruc-
ton; in such sense that its omission
would have been regarded as an obvious
inconsistency in-r;n;..;rial- character
These views c0nstrain us So Delleve that
the Presbytery should require of all pas
tors and supplies the stated performance
of this duty.
As to the methods best adopted to our
charges we would recommend:
l. That the Shorter Catechism, and
for small children and ignorant persons)
the Childs Catechism, should in all cases
be used as the foundation of the instruc-
ton, but not exclusive of oral instruction,
and of other suitable manuals.
II. That while adults should be in
cluded in the benefits of this instruction
so far as they can be induced to attend,
it should be specially directed to the
young, as the hope of the Church.
III. That every pupil of all our Sab
bath schools should be made subjects of
thorough catechetical instruction, in pre-
ference to all other exercises, save read
ing Gods Word. And that, in order to
this, all our own Sabbath schools must
be under the government of the pastors
and sessions.
~. That in congregations like ours,
when the life of the people is so largely
domestic and patriarchal, when the pop
ulation is sparse, and when the heads of
families are usually competent to this
work, parents should be expected to take
on themselves the daily and weekly teach
ing of the children and servants, so that
the examinations of pastors shall be in
review, designed to test the faithfulness
of this domestic institution, and to afford
opportunity for full explanations and ap-
plications.
V. That pastors should never limit
themselves to mere recital by rote but
should improve such occasions to explain
illustrate, and impress on the individual
conscience, fundamental truths, by ia.
miliar extempore questions and remarks
by inducing pupils to ask questions, anc
by personal appeals to the hearts of in
dividuals; and that it is the duty of pas
tors and other catechists to prepare them
selves for this task.
vi. That experience commends tht
following methods, as suited to our coun
try: For village charges and other com
pact ones; children and youth should b,
assembled at the Sabbath school room
on special days, previous to the quarter
ly or other stated communion seasons, t,
have their proficiency in home instruc
ton reviewed by the pastors. For coun
try churches, the pastors should have
circuit of stated catechetical appoint
ments at the houses of the people, so ar
ranged that several contiguous familie
may easily attend at one house, and tha
all may be embraced.