The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-10-15
but 90 to your class, tell your teacher

! OUT 60 10 your ClaSSj teIl youi Ieaeuei
you have not prepared your lesson, and
show by your attention that you are
anxious to learn, and by listening to
every question and solution given, you
will, ere the recitation is over, have
gained much valuable information; while
on the other hand, if you are late or
your lesson is unlearned, you keep away
from your class, you not only lose an in;
terest in your lessons, but you set bad
example to those younger than yourself,
and cause your teacher feeling OF
wonder mingled with pain. You should
upcu entefins the class lay aside all
leyity, foolish talking and laughter, and
pay earnest heed to the gospel truths
that your teacher is endeavoring to in
culcate.
Music is an Indispensable feature in
our Sabbath Schools, for any unobjec-
tionabe feature that is attractive is con-
ducive to the success of it. 1t is said
that music can charm the savage or wild
beast. We we'll know what mighty
effect it has on the feelings of man. 1t
calms the stormy mind, it enlivens the
troubled heart and causes US to think
more of Him who made US and gave US
voices, and also minds capable of learn.
ing to chant His praises. The children
should all be taught to sing; they should
be arranged directly in front of the lead
er, and each one should have access to a
singing-book, whether they can read or
not, for every child thinks it can sing
better if they have book, if it does not
know letter in it. Each Sabbath one
song at least should be selected for the
little children, making them to fee =
and truly they area very essential ele.
ment in our schools. Good music will
cause those to attend our schools who
otherwise would not come, for music
attracts as we'll as charms. A song we'll
sang at the opening of our school pre-
pares US better for our duties, and SEEM
ingly harmonizes everything.
Suitable literature has great deal to do
with interesting and profting our schools.
Every school that is able should have a
library of we'll assorted books, with com
petent librarian to attend to them being
given out and returned promptly. These
books take the place of some trashy
novel or thilling adventure that the
youth may be found reading, and fills
his mind with nobler thoughts and higher
aspirations. If all cannot procure q
library they can take Sabbath School
papers, for the young must and will read
something. We must teach child the
duty it owes to God and man, and pro-
duce permanent conviction in its mind
of its responsibility, and this must be
done both by direct and indirect precept.
We must also direct their minds in a
channel of observation and reflection, as
will produce correct estimate of actions
and their consequences, and it should be
our constant effort to cultivate in our
pupils spirit of gentleness, forbearance
and piety, and correct feeling toward
God, the true source of all our happi-
ness. And how can we better do this
than by laying before them examples
worthy of imitation?
In conclusion, let me speak word to
the members of our Churches, who take
no active interest in our Sabbath School
work, and especially to parents. It
would be profitable and interesting to
have you engage with US in this impor.
tant work. You would augment our
force and give us moral prestage and in.
huence for good. Some effort on your
part will be necessary, it is true, but we
can assure you there is no field of labor
more inviting or promises q richer re.
ward. Those who have been engaged
longest in this work will tell you they
have been amply paid for their sacrifices.
Then why will you not give US your
assistance? You have children that
God in His providence has placed under
your supervision and care. He has
commanded you to teach them. He has
also given you his word to be taught, and
what reasonable excuse can you assign
for evading this responsibility, for what
place is better suited for the performance
of this duty than is found iu the Sab.
bath School? Those of US who are
parents, should remember that the destiny
of our children, in very important
sense, is placed in our own hands, and
their happiness in this life, as we'll as
that which is to come, depends on how
we live, act and teach. Our examples,
especially, will have marked influence
on their lives. How important is it then
that they should be such as we would
wish them to initiate.
Let me ask you parents and friends, do
you believe you are living in the dis
charge OF your parental and christian
duty in the sight of God to let any
trivial reason keep you from attending
the Sabbath School? If you take no
active part with us, your very presence
does good. 1t encourages every one en-.
gagged in the work. If you will only
attend few Sabbaths assure you,
without you are an exception, that you
will become so interested that it will be
more difficult for you to stay away than
it is now for you to attend. Then you
will be happier, for you will be discharg-
ing your duty.
You who have no children need not
think you are exempt from this duty.
Although your responsibility is not so
great, yet it is incumbent on you to i'm.
prove every opportunity in promoting
the cause of our blessed Master. By
your punctual attendance we are made
to feel that our labors are being blessed
as We are succeeding in interesting you.
The young will know by this manifesto.
tion that you are interested in them,
which will have its good influence Be.
sides there is no place where so much
can be accomplished for the good of the
Church and society at large, with SO
small an outlay of time and labor, and
no place more delightful to those whose
hearts are imbued with the love of
their Master than is found in the Sab.
bath School. Then join our ranks in
tent on doing your whole duty, and the
Lord will bless you, and the world will
be made to believe more firmly in the
religion of our Blessed Saviour.