The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-04-13
FoR THE CENTRAL PEEsBYrER1AN.
THE AIM OF THE SABBATH SCHOOLS.

THE following address was delivered by the Rev
h. H. Hawes before the Convention lately held i
Stanton, Va According to the desire expresse
by that body, it is now published in the hope that
may be useful to Others
When our Saviour, Christ Jesus, said
"Suffer the little children to come unto me
and forbid them not, He gave a reason fol
this permissive command; namely, For o
such is the kingdom of God
Now in this, He was not introducing {
ne0 idea to the Church of God Here il
but response to that which was spoken il
the first definite establishment of the Church
the catching up of what Jehovah had sale
long ages before to Abraham,-"I will es
tablish my covenant between me and thee
and thy seed after thee in their generations
] 49, to be God
thee" This
Us word, we
.ouside, as nple i children are
special objects of t. Fathers atten
tion.
Of course then, they have rights which
all, but especially those who profess to serve
God, are bound to respect and accord tc
them; namely, that by all of the means and
appliances within our reach, we should lead
and instruct them in the ways of this God,
who is their God as well as ours. What
therefore if it be said that in these Scrip
lures, or in early Church history no direct
words call for the assembling of the young in
Sabbath schools? No such expressed war
rant is needed. God has given them place
in His Church, and Jesus Christ, in the
midst of His work of atonement, has said
that they should not be forbidden to come
unto Him-so maintaining their God given
rights. Does not this suffice to show that
the truths which God sends to His Church,
are sent also to these children whom He
claims as His? that Christ Jesus, whose
mission was proclaimed, 'on earth peace,
goodwill toward man, came also to them,
with His blessings? and that the Holy
Spirit, who is sent to apply the truths of
God and the benefits of Christ's work, was
sent also to these whom God has embraced
in the terms of san everlasting covenant in
their generations p The argument founded
here accept as full authority for Sabbath
schools. In such considerations it is no
hard matter to discern what the aim of a
Sabbath school should be. And now this
aim may be discussed under three PROPOSE
tions:
1st. 1t IS tn accordance With Gods aVOrd
that adults should be assembled at stated
times to be instructed in tie aOqy of life, and
tie same rule is in force sG;tk regard to
children.
The training of children under the auspi-
ces of family religion, is ever to be approved
and commended. But even admitting that
every family discharges its full duty thus,
have the young no further needs, no other
claims upon the attention of Christ's people !?
Who are these, gathering Sabbath after Sab
bath in our places of worship? They are
not all Christians. Perhaps QUE half-two-
thirds often-are unbelievers, strangers to
God. Many of them have grown up under
pious influences; in their homes there are
now loving hearts wrestling in prayer and
abors unceasing before God for their saliva
tiOn. Yet by all it is esteemed right, and a
duty most sacred that they be gathered to
the Church ordinances for Church instruc
tion, and that every pains be taken to furnish
them with public means Of grace. The church
is not satisfied that they have lived under,
and still have the means of grace at home.
The clearest conviction of every soul is, that
in laboring for their salvation in these public
ordinances, the labor is in perfect accord
with Gods will. Why then be content with
work of less scope for children? Why is
the religion of the family more sufficient for
them than for these adults? Let US grasp
the truth that the public work of the Church
is with both classes. Nor is it possible that
the bands of this duty be loosed while she
remains obedient to her Head, Jesus Christ,
who has made plain distinction in official
command, between the lambs and the sheep,
enjoining that love to Him gives its response
by feeding both. And because the lambs
and = sheep are of one nature, they need
y object of the Sabbath
ms food in such form
e.. eive it.
Therefore, If it the work of the Church
to maintain for adults, instruction in Gods
word, she is bound to the same duty for the
children-bound too by just as many and as
good reasons. 1t is not the ightest duty of
all Christian life to ''grow in grace and in
the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
What is the Sabbath school but an agency
to be conducted upon the very same princi
pies with the Church, for training our chill
dren to this highest of all duties? 1T is God
giving the Gospel to the child. Its present
aim is therefore wholly Spiritual; its work
is wholly Spiritual; its end is wholly Spir-
itual, that those within its sphere be fitted
to glOrify God now, and to dwell in His glory
hereafter. 1t is a place where those who
cannot receive the strong substance adapted
to their elders, may obtain what they need