Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-10-12
SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK.

Inc meeting OF various Olate ana county
Sunday-school conventions, at this time,
throughout the country, and the extended
press reports OF the same, are serving to turn
popular attention to the work thus represent
ed, and to awaken public interest in 1t.
That the work is an exceedingly important
one, no advocate Of public morals, and GER
tainly no Christian can for moment doubt.
1t concerns the moral, spiritual, intellectual
and physical welfare OF the youth who arc
50 soon to assume positions OF trust and re-
sponslblity in the community. 1t is distinct
lively the training which produces men and
women, as distinguished from scholars,or ar
tisans, or money-makers. The Sunday
school is the school where the earliest prin-
ciples of good citizenship are taught where
character is formed, and reverence and pur-
ty and love Of right are instilled into the
youthful heart. This is its importance in a
merely social and worldly sense. As
means Of Christian instruction and develop
nent, its work 10 still more benefcent. 1t is
the great training school OF the church.
The church is recruited almost entirely from
the Sunday school. 1t gets its active and
trained material there Three fourths, at least,
of the church members in every community
to-day were bred and consecrated in the Sum
day-school. The influences which were
brought to bear upon them there, in the sus-
ceptibla period Of youth, have formed in
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is the true foundation of the churchs power
and usefulness.
The importance, then, of Sunday-school
work is such as to make It's study one of the
chief duties and privileges of Christian work.
ers in every denomination. The recognition
OF this duty and privilege was the begin
ming OF the custom of annual conventions.
Since these meetings have been regularly
established, Sunday school work has gone
forward with great strides OF progress. Sys-
tenn, organization and approved and concert
ed methods of work have been entered upon
throughout the country, and the annual ex-
change OF experience and suggestion has been
OF incalculable benefit to workers In all parts
Of the field. This year, it seems to us, from
the reports sof conventions published In the
principal papers Of the land, that the interest
has been unusually great, and that the ex-
perience and suggestions of Sunday school
workers have been Of especial value. Par.
tlcular attention has been called to such
vital points as the most effective
methods OF outside missionary work, on
the part OF both teachers and pupils, as
means not only of extending the membership
aud influence OF the Sunday school, but also
OF instructing and interesting the members
OF schools in practical Christian work to
the great aim-lhc only proper aim-of teach
'rs In Sunday schools, viz: the salvation of
The souls committed to their charge to the
work OF charity among the sick and poor Of
parish or a community. this being one Of
the most helpful and blessed duties of
every Christian organization. The ear.
hestne" OF all the delegates at
these Sunday-school conventions is one
OF the most promising signs for the
future. Here arc business and professional
men, OF high standing in the community, who
have left their important worldly interests to
spend two or three days, perhaps, in talking
over among each other the work OF the Sum-
hsy-schoos in their several localities. The
Iature Of their remarks shows how thorough.
y in earnest they arc aud how willing to
devote time aud attention and money to
building up the cause which they rep.
resent With such workmen as these,
and such universal sympathy among
the people 1t would seem as though
Sunday school work ought to be greatly
prospered in this country during the coming
year. Already it is one of the most potent
factors OF practical Christianity in our land
and we believe that the time is coming when
Its work will bs acknowledged to be the
most important, as it is the earliest and most
fruitful, OF all forms of religious activity.