The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1875-01-30
Sunday-School Work.

ing, in this borough, on Sunday morn
ing, January oath, 1875:
TEACHERS, The year 1875 has open
ed its door and we have entered in, and
see spread out before us its twelve
broad months, its weeks and days; an>
other fair and untrOdden field in the
great territories of time. In its soil are
terminating all the seeds of the past,
and from its harvest will come the
see' of the grander future. We cross
the boundaries into the fateful field,
not alone, but side by side with the rush.
ing columns of the great armies. The
nighty column of the Industrious, the
worker for bread and for gold, come to
reap from it additions of wealth. The
gay squadrons of pleasure sweep down
upon it as upon new play ground of
wilder gaiety. The dark and hardened
hosts of sin and shame steal across Its
border, side by side with the statesman
and officers of political government.
Error and unbelief come crowding by
the side of truth and faith. All human
ty march into it as into a new battle
field; while high over all and through
all Gods great force of nature and
providence move upon it with the
measured step Of their own unhasting,
| mil Int c.,nI Gnll npH
thus accompanied, you and i are NOV
ing, fellow-teachers this opening of
the year 1875. Our rallying points,
and where we are to make our stand,
are the fifty Sabbaths; our objec the
souls of children, and the truth of
God. Amid the dim of the worlds
! great battles it is ours to lift the battle
cry of "Christ and salvation," and a.
long these Sabbaths, as on so many hill
tops, we are to plant the signal lights
of heaven. Scattered widely among
the lighting columns, we may lead the
young recruits in humanity's hosts, to
lift their eyes from the binding dust to
the cross of Christ, which shines still,
as in the old Roman story, in the heav-
= ems above. Let us ponder deeply these
great facts and duties, before we enter
any further into the new year. Let us
drink deeper inspiration from sur
vey OF the held OF our work. ana OF the
. forces which are with us. That field Is
the soul Of Childhood; that furce is the
i truth of God. These we believe to be
. not only products of the same. divine
|. mind, but fitted to each other as light
" is fitted to the eyes, as air is fitted to
! the lungs, as life is fitted to the bodies.
Separated, they fail OF their uses and
! in some sense perish-united, they each
attain their highest expression; and
8 ripen into noblest use. The soul Graves
. truth. The truth finds in the soul it:
!. very birth place of paternal existence.
g The souls of children have thre,
!: characteristics which especially CON-
n mend them to our regard:
ie 1st. They are open to the truth, thei
!. ippolance, has not changed into stupi,
ni indifference nor become ,preoccupipd h,
- hitter preiudices or obstinate errors
d Fresh comers into this great world
e. they are not vet blinded to its grandeur
ut nor to the mirttv facts of life and be
,t iucs. TIE heavenwayd pinnIons O
thought are not vet covered with dust
n nor curtained from Gods light.
he 2nd. They are unhariened, sin il
", these aud has already made its mark
on on ut it has not yet repeated its visits $
ly often as to trample INTO strong hard
Il q. ness all the highway of Thought an
"a; a. feeling. The tender appeals of God
u.s. truth, revealing Gods Justice and love
il, can still make impression. The see
ms can still penetrate The soil and GRO,
ms