Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-05-04
For the Daily Monitor
OUR SABBATH SCHOOLS.

y
nation. I mean that of drawing from
the Bible classes, supplies for absent
teachers. 1t was among the topics re-
ported upon at the late National Sunday
School Convention in Newark, n. D.,
but it. was also among the very lmpor-
tant ones which was not properly ven
tilated for want of time. Having been
in the Sabbath School harness for more
than forty years, part of the time as SUI
perintendent and part of the time as
Bible-class teacher, L may be permitted
to look at the subject from both stand
points. 1 have had painful experience
in both capacities. 1t is easy to point
out the remedy theoretically, but not
so easy to apply it practically. Every
body knows that if there was no de-
mand created, there would be no sup
ply needed. In other words, if every
Sabbath School teacher would always
be at his post, OF send substitute not
belonging to the Bible-class, the needed
reform would be accomplished at once.
Many Sabbath Schools have rules which
require this, but in great majority of
cases they are not obeyed-in a very
few of which it may be impracticable
from sudden sickness on death. | know
that orr Bible-casses are to train and
qualify our members for teaching, but
also know that the practice of taking
the best of them every Sabbath to sup
ply the places OF delinquent teachers,
defeats the very end in view, by break
ing up the class entirely, and every
teacher that stays at home without an
excuse that will stand the test, votes to
break up the Bible-class. 1t may be
done unwittingly, but it is done never
theless But what is the Superintend
ent to do =? After the opening exercises
are through, he looks over his school
and sees half q dozen classes, more or
less, without teachers. He has but one
remedy, and that is to draw upon the
Bible-class if he has one left. He starts
from his desk with Il heavy heart, be-
cause he knows the consequences that
will inevitably follow the practice, if
continued. As he approaches the class,
the teachers countenance turns to sad
ness He mournfully calls for yolun-
teers but no response. The Superin
tendent calls with the same result, and
it requires much urging to obtain the
needed help, and relieve the Superin-
tendent from his dilemma. This scene
is gone over Sabbath after Sabbath
What's the matter ? Simply the pu
pills of the Bible class have studied,
and are interested in their lesson
They have found difficulties which
they wish their teachers to explain.
Their business at present is to learn,
not to teach, and they strongly suspect
they ere placed pro tenn, is absent with
out cause. But no matter whether he
is or not. Every class must be sup
piled with teacher every Sabbath, or
suffer the consequences. How can this
be done without detriment to the classes
preparing for the work, We have al
ready limited that if every teacher would
or could always be at his or her post,
there would be no call for supplies.
But as that cannot be, we must supply
the deficiency. Let us search little
deeper and see if we can find what duty
is, in the matter, and where it rests.
The Sabbath School is the creature of
the Church. 1t is the grand reservoir
from which the latter is to draw its sup
plies. 1t is a missionary organization
which performs the same work among
the masses for the Church, that the
roots of tree perform for it. In the
one case the teachers and scholars go
out into the highways and hedges, and
draw in material for the school and
church, while i'll the other the roots
permeate the soil and gather nourish-
ment for the tree If this he true, the
Church is clearly responsible for the
Sabbath School, and should see to it.
that all its posts are filed with its very
best material 1t should he in the
school and part and parcel of it. All
its members, not excused by age, sick
ness or unavoidable absence, should be
there, and, after the classes are all SUP
piled with teachers, without drawing
upon the Bibles classes proper, collect
in groups or classes and take up the
lesson. Let our Churches adopt this
plan, las some already have done and
we should have no more complaint of
broken up Bible classes, or incompetent
teachers. A.
ST 7 Otis. Mo. Nav 3.-rhe cOnyep-