Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-06-12
Reform in the Modes Of Religious
Effort. -

a report to the recent Methodist Con-
ference at Chicago, will interest the
religious community at large, as en-
bracing thoughts of an important prac-
tical character:
II. As to the condition of our Sab
bath Schools. These are successful,
perhaps beyond all the past, yet are
susceptible of great Improvement, in
more careful and strict discipline, bet
ter prepared and more advanced text
books, better drilled and more critic
al teachers for advanced classes, in
order to retain such in the schools and
advance them in Biblical learning
Two growing evils are obvious in
many, or all our Sabbath schools
LIST. The habit of using question books
in classes not sufficiently advanced for
them, and thus displacing the good
old habit of committing Scripture to
memory. I'd. The use almost exclu-
sively of Sunday school reading of the
narrative, or story kind, thus molding
the taste of our children for nothing
but light reading.
We recommend a more careful su-
pervision of our Sabbath schools by
the pastors and quarterly conferences.
g We nrge mon the extended
membership of the Church greater re-
ligious activity, particularly in the So
cial meeting and Sabbath schools
Work is the law of growth, SPIRITUAL
ty, as much as physically or mentally.
Were twice as many members now
engaged as volunteer laborers in
our prayer meetings, class meetings
and Sunday schools, no doubt the
moral power Of the Church to-day
would be twice as great.
3. We ask the pastors, parents anC
Sabbath school teachers to give more
, earnest attention to the subject OF
: Temperance.
This is called for, first, in self-de
Tense against the msidious and spe
: cious aggressions upon the Church
S even and our best families, now tina
Q intemperance has become the mos
l. alarming evil of our age.
A new and simultaneous resort t.
! total abstinence pledges is now called
for on the part of old and young, a
/ the only safety for ourselves, and thos
d under our immediate influence, espt
/ cialIy as it is now well known tina
10 there is large class of persons Wit
if they commence drinking intoxica
ing drinks at ALL are sure to 60 on t
drunkenness. Then let no time b
) lost in saving one precious youth, &c
it is easier to prevent hundred fro
T. rushing into intemperance than
rescue one.
4. Family religion and family go
If eminent claim a moments notice
ct We fear that parents have come
to feel that the Sabbath school ar
n church give sufficient religious instru
ton to their children, and so eXcu
eS themselves. This works ruin. Car
full study Of the Scriptures in the taI
lily, strict observance of the Sabbat
30 sacred regard for truthfulGeSs and
~ tegrity, with personal religious co
80, ~ S~-sEO.A ssIAH r. - ~ ii euO itouC
hn fol-
any christian family. All this shou
lie be mingled with firm and kind a
We thority which knows no yieldii
is where a principle of submission or
right is involved, or christian parer
even may look for the early ruin
ca, their children in these days of lax d
81 cipline and dissipation.
-. Greater efforts to supply suitat
." reading for our christian families
18th demanded. Cur writer's have t
nj chief responsibility of forming the
at erary taste Of the people. Wheth
" that is being elevated, or corrupt,
= is serious question. The pulpit,
-on so, shares this responsibility. In G
judgment, there is at present grt
lack ofjust the right kind of readi
among our people. What is not
light, nor too heavy; nor too high,r
too low, for those who should a
on would read, provided something We
sa- fitted to their case. Here is an
viting field of usefulness just now OF
din to our writer's. Who will enter
,od With careful discrimination and wi
tho acquaintance with the people, no ii
promises greater reward.