The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-04-13

Sabbath after Sabbath with discourses upor
ethics, philosophy, political economy, or any
such branches of worldly wisdom. Were
one so to preach, the universal judgment
would condemn him as disgrace to his Of
fee; as unmindful of the work to which he
is sent; and as a robber of precious souls
Now, why should different idea be tolerated
when we take the soul of child in charge
Is not this child's soul as undying as that
of an adult? Is not eternity as certainly
before it? Are not the snares and wiles OF
the devil as much about it? Is it not to the
full, as much in peril as others? Most as
suredly. And yet how often is this condi-
ton so lost sight of that our Sabbath schools
appear to be little different from secular
schools, whose object it is to teach worldly
wisdom? Does simply prefxing the word
Sabbath" SO consecrate any work that
you will do no wrong by engaging in it on
Gods holy day? Then let us have Sabbath
buying and selling; train our young men for
worldly employments on that day. Why
not do this, as well as train children on God s
day in the rudiments of world knowledge ?
If it be right in one case, so is it in the
other.
But if I say that it is right to train youth
for business on the Sabbath, shall be re-
garded as "a man that is sinner" Yet
even such work as this, is, in many Sabbath
schools, carried on without thought of
wrong-doing. So the work of the Sabbath
school, especially with regard to the younger
members, is secularized, both in the concep-
tion of the teacher, and in the eyes of the
scholar. An appearance of aimless, un-
Christliness is but the natural result. The
very idea that this is a school, has, with
many, divested it of the SAVIOUR of Christ;
turned away from it the actions of true reli-
gion; and stricken off the restraints and
constraints of felt responsibility. But in
the generally accepted sense, this is not
school. Or if it must be so designated, it is
Christ's school, where His followers are to
serve Him, in love feeding His lambs. 1t is
a place where the young, as plants in the
Lords house, are to be '.rooted and built up
in Him and established in the faith where
none may come to "spoil them through phi
losophy and vain deceit, after the traditions
of men, after the rudiments of the world, and
not after Christ" 1t is no place for the
world. These children may yet learn more
than enough of this worlds wisdom, without
the aid of Sabbath schools.
This "world lieth in wickeiness :" it is fast
nearing its judgment. And here, by the
providence of God, in these Sabbath schools,
are thousands of little hands up-stretched to
those who walk above them in the way of
life. Now then it is sin,-yea, sin grown ex-
ceeding sinful against these little ones, if we
grasp not their hands and lead them, while
we may, to the Rock that is higher than
they; or if we do not by faithful devotion,
guide their tender feet unto Christ, ere the
world has hardened them for its paths-
Away then with nice distinctions as to
church duty, pastoral duty, parental duty.
For whether it be the church, the pastor, or
the parent, to each the command of the Lord
is, occupy till l come, which being ap-
piled is-"In the sphere wherein l have
placed you, do for me in my absence, the
work which l would do, being present"
His example is before US. His laws are
upon US. And seeing that He commanded
the children to be brought to Him - and
it was thing done in public ministrations
of the Gospel too seeing also that He re-
buked those who hindered their being
broug ght; that He was 'sore displeased"
with those who would have forbidden them
to come, what is palmer than the duty of
those who occupy" now for Him than that
they very diligently keep, regard and train
these little ones for Him
He says, not 'occupy in part" The
command covers the whole ground; all is to
be occupied. Therefore, if it be the duty of
the Church to train any one soul for Christ,
her duty is as binding for all souls, within
both the physical and spiritual boundary.
Thus the work of the Sabbath school is the
work of the Church. And the very same
laws and principles which do not pertain to
"Christ and Him cruci6ed,' should also be
in force, to drive such things out of the Sab
bath school. For here, as on the higher
ministration of the Church, souls are to be
sought and gained for Christ.
TO BE CONCLUDED.
HPreventino" tha Roat