The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1869-06-22
STATE SABBATH SCHOOL UNION.
CHARLES r. COFFIN'S ADDRESS.
Richmond, Ind, June 10th, 1869.

CHARLES F.. COFFIN'S ADDRESS.
Richmond, Ind, June 10th, 1869.
Brethren and Sisters of the State Sabbath School
Union: r- ss ts-rs
. It affords me great pleasure to greet
you on this the fifth annual meeting of
our Union. Many of us look back with
pleasure to the previous meetings; the
acquaintances there formed have Eot
been forg often, and we can now say:
ssblest be the tie that binds our hearts in
Christian love-" We meet again to
warm each others hearts by personal
contact and sympathy. Gas iron shar
pencth iron, 80 doth the countenance of
a man his friend" Similarity of views
and feelings bind us together; earnest
ness ofpurpose in the same great cause
produces fellowship; the love Of Him
who hath brought US out of derkness
into His marvellous light animates our
hearts. We believe, too, that our meet
ing together will be Of substantial ben
eft. Casting our experience and knowl
edge, whether greater or less, into one
common fund, ALL can draw ,therefrom
something to supply their own deficient
treasury. We learn from each other. In
no department of life is perfection at
tanned, and none know SO much that
they can not learn more.
It is unnecessary TO discuss the ques
ton as to the value and Importance of
the work in which we are engaged-that.
to us, is a settled point-but it is i'm
portant to devise means to extend and
enlarge that work, and elevate its stan
dard and increase it's usefulness. We
shall bc advised of it's present condi
tion in this State, and the questions of
Importance in our proceedings will he:
"How can we best promote the estab-
lishment Of other Sabbath Schools, un-
til no city, village OR school district in
our State shall be without them; and
how can we improve the character Of
those which are now established" This
brings US to the question: ''What is the
object of Sabbath Schools?'' The first
of these may be defined to be "religious
teaching" taking the bible as our stan.
dard, believing that "all Scripture is
given by inspiration of God; and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, and for instruction in right
eousness," it is desirable to extend the
knowledge of its contents as far as pos
sible, and especially to inculcate them
into the minds of children. Store their
minds early in life with facts and truths,
and at some time they will be called in
to requisition. Without detracting from
the work Of the spirit. the understand
ing should be cultivated. An array of
Bible truths fixed in the memory may
be called into requisition by the holy
spirit sometime, if not at once.
When tho soul is awakened to reli
gious interest, how soon the thoughts
turn to easy scriptural instruction, and
how greatly those who have enjoyed the
privilege are benefited by it. a
The second object of Sabbath Schools,
or rather the primary object, but secon-
Diary in its attainments, may be stated
to be the conversion of souls. This may
startle some; but why? Should it not
be the object of all servants of Christ
10 bring others into His fold? How is
this object to be effected?
Let, as nearly as possible, every su
perintendent and teacher be converted
person, having themselves known a
change of heart: then they will need no
urging to induce them to labor for the
same change in their scholars. All their
teaching will be directed towards that
! point. The condition Of the scholars
| viii be constantly before them, and the
instruction will be systematically ar
ranged so as to reach the heart. They
will be given a prayer-and "the effec-
:ual fervent prayer of the righteous
availeth much.' While they are i'm
planting in the minds of their scholars
gospel truths and historical and geolo-
gical facts, they will beyond all, labor
and pray that these scholars may be.
come like themselves changed men and
| women. Without the aid of Gods spirit
10 open the heart there will be no cor