The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1877-08-16

Ir NAV be that all services OF worsn,P
shonld lie so conducted, that children oiu
oh to read fiucntly would take an IN
crest in them. With Scripture readings
and graphic exposition, with sacred poetry
and music. with varied exercises, inciua.
inc affectionate and spirited Appeals, II
mioht be that the young would ma inc
honse Of God their resort upon the Lorus
Dav. At present, even in our most re-
nuented churches. children form Dut an
insienificant proportion OF the hearers.
This ia 80 general that we are lncllnea W
think that. in the nature OF things, II Is
extremely difficult, If not Impossible,
provide religious service that Will eoily
and attract both children and aouiis.
theological instruction and clerical train
inc take for granted that the minister u
to Instruct and guide persons OF matureu
intellect. 1t is assumed that children Will
obtain their instruction and influences In
the household or in the school.
Hence the Sunday School is practically
the childreu,s church. Here only do chill
dren meet in great numbers for the 3D.
servance of the Sabbath by religious
duties. Whatever may be the defects and
disadvantages that attend the work OF In
structing these hosts of youth it is mat
ter for praise and thanksgiving, that here
are elements and influences SO admirably
adapted to the tastes and capacities OF
children, that they will gather cheerfully
and constantly to enjoy these privileges
and services.
People who are not actively engaged IN
religious labors often forget entirely that
the prosperity of the work lies not only IN
the spirit of him who seeks, but IN inc
spirit of those who are sought. They VIII
suggest plans, and notifications and im-
movements, without thinking whether
these may not lessen or destroy the very
elements that make the present lmperiec,
method vast opportunity for work ane
blessing. We knew the pastor OF an IN
| fiuential church, who, with the zeal OF
| true reformer, took into his own hand tn
reins of his prosperous Sunday-Schooi
He was quite sure that he could make II
much more thorough and effective lnstl
tuition for the young. His success wa
that of the physician who prescribed for
patient with a cutaneous disease until tn
man died. Looking at the spotless cuticl
! of the deceased, he observed, swell, b
died cured" That Sunday School ha
not yet seen the day of resurrection.
Doubtless we ought to make the Sun
day-School more efficient. For thousand
it is perhaps the only hour of the week i
which they are under holy influences.
is not possible to over estimate the mag
nitude of the issue during these preciou
moments. But let every endeavor to i'm
prove and elevate be in the line of ths
which has already accomplished the mira
Gle of bringing in voluntarily this innum
cradle company. Our Presbyteries yer
properly commend the Sunday School t
the special care and supervision of tn
pastor and other church authorities. Blu
| If such care and supervision should d
nothing but modify the Sunday Schot
until its influence and spirit and method
are on a par with those that characteriz
the other church services, it will be foun
that the children have lost their church
and that instead of better services the
baxe. pQne at ell; Children are Su 20 y, L;
day. Generations of experience prov
that spiritual power does not reach thel
when it is without knowledge of an
sympathy with their wants as children
With these influences at work in Zion v
will have the joy of seeing the prophec
| fulfilled that ''the city shall be full {
, boys and girls playing in the streets Their,
| Of.h-N. Y. ObSeFUer