The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1883-04-07

EssAT READ AT BEcENT MEETING OF TIE
TEACHERS OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH
sUNnAT sCHooL-BT NJ. n. SINGLETON, ESQ.

T.
Published by Request Of the Teachers
This subject prcsupposes the exis
tence Of Sunday schools, and hence
will not admit of any discussion as to
the how and wherefore of them. Tho
meaning of the phrase Sunday
school," is SO well known that il
needs here but little explanation
When the term day school " is used
we all understand that it not only
means a school taught during the day,
but also school taught in contra
distinction % night school, also to a
school taught on Sunday. And Thus
it is we have the phrase " Sunday
school, the meaning Of which must be
very apparent. Bat as the object Of
| Sunday schools, and not the schools
themselves is the theme, we will con-
slider this in very few words, and
briefly as possible.
No one will doubt that the Sunday
scnool has its origin in the Bible But
we are of the opinion that 1T does not
teach the exact way and manner of
conducting them, as is now in vogue
in this country. There is as much
human Interpolation 10 the modern
Sunday school as there is in any other
institution of which the Bible rs repu-
ted to be the foundation. But still
this branch of the church of Christ
has lis origin in and emanates from
the Bible.
BY examining the 18th and I4th
verses Of the 18th chapter of Matthew,
you will find this language: Then
were there brought unto Him little
children, that He should put His hands
Oh them, and pray, aud The disciples
rebuked them " " But Jesus sad,
suffer little children, and forbid them
not, TO come unto me for of such is
the kingdom of Heaven. y Ii this
language teaches anything, it clearly
affirms that the Savior has given
standing invitation to little children to
come TO Him; and it also shows that
He has positively enjoined all parties
from interfering with their approach
to Him. Does not this language
further teach, that although the cares,
trials and duties of our Savior while
on earth were great and many, yet He
never forgot the spiritual wants Of
the children of His ehureh2 R0twith-
standing in the eyes of the disciples
both the children and their spiritual
needs were of minor importance. Ii
view Of the above language of our
Savior. together with the facts adj
dueed tberefrom, are we not clearly
sustained in the belief and conclusion,
that one object of the Sunday school
should be, and properly is, to facili-
tate the approach of children to the
Savior by providing them a special
time. place and competent Instructors,
as well AS suitable literature, Sc that
without any misgiying or uncertainty
they may come together and reap the
full benefit of all these advantages.
Again, 10 St. John, 2Ist chapter
and 18th verse, we read this language /:
" So when they had dined Jesus saith |
10 Simon Peter, Simon, son Of Jonas,
lowest thou Me more than these 2 He
saith unto him, yea, Lord Thou |
knowest that | love Thee. He saith |
unto him feed my lambs" In the |
next two verses our Savior asks the |
same question twice, and Peter, after
replying afirmatiyeIy, is then com
TO Feed my sheep" In all |
these instances, you will observe that |
our Savior gave no command to Peter
without first ascertaining the state Of
Peters affections toward Him. That |
point having been finally and satisfac-
torily settled, He commands the be-
loved disciple TO "Feed my lambs"
From this conversation between Peter
and bis Savior, in connection With the |
command given immediately there
after, we are forced to conclude that
another object Of the Sunday school
is to execute this command by feeding
the intellect, eultiyating the heart and
stimulating the holier and better af-
feciions Of children and adults. The
very formof the command, viz: Feed
my lambsy" implies clearly that there
is more than ordinary care, diligence
and patience necessary in feeding the
minds and elesating the religious SEN
iiments Of the young, tbsn is required
with those older and more advanced |
ID life. No one doubts that the OBJ
ieet of the church is to instruct those
sho are advanced in learning and ex-
0erience. Paul announces this doc
.rine 10 Heb. SO, By stating, Strong
neat belongetll 70 them that are Of
inll aye, even those who By reason Of
lse have their senses exercised to dis
,ern both good and evil" If. then,
bis be the mission of the church, is u
,ot also true Of the Sunday school as
egards the young, and fully implied
ia authorized 81 onr Savior when he
aid IL Peter, Feed my lalubs."
10 the palnIy and golden days Of
sraeI, when the wisest of wise men
at upon her throne, and endeayored
. dispense equity to all Of bis many
ubjects, among bis many wise and
sayings, We find this imPeF-
sbable truth (Prog 1861 Train up
child 10 the way he should g0l and
then be Is old he viii not depart
rom il. We do nol heeitate to say
hal this il care VI the f.aiily as !
tell IL tIe Supdsy school, and really
~ Be accomplished better by the
arsnIs; for most generally il i by
hem that he seeds Of future useful
ess OF wortblessness are implanted
;pt thie training il also az object, ~
'ell ~ duig, Of the SUNDAY schools, 4
81 should hot hQ pegleeted BY theW Z
'ut i il not d laucp'able taet thst
ANY u the SUNDAY sebpels Of to-day