The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-06-17
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Some Practical Thoughts for June q, on the Fol-
lowing Subject: The Importance OF a Higher
Standard Among Sunday -SehO0l Teachers.


on Sunday work.
1. We want higher standard with reference
to the importance of the Sunday school enter
prise. A man always measures his efforts by
the degree of Importance he attaches to that
in which he engages. So we must reach the
right estimate as to the value of Sunday school
instruction. A teacher should realize he is en-
gagged in a great work. If / say to n fellow
teacher, our enterprise is of great utility, and
he answers, "Well, yes, it Is a good thing;
great deal better the children be kept in and
quiet, if it be but for an hour of Sunday" i
feel certain such person has not n correct idea
Of Sunday-school labor. We do not propose to
support our schools so as to keep boys and girls
orderly for a single hour Of each week. We
intend to exert an influence which will render
them kinder to each other and better at home
on secular days. We would send them out
into society with pure and honest hearts. Our
aim is to develop them into good men and
women. Nor shall Sunday school influence
cease in them till, raising their crowns, they
bow before the great white throne and thank
God for the Sunday-school with its consistent
teachers.
If teacher tell me the Sunday school is
pretty good thing, i am not satisfied. His
standard is too low. On this subject i want
man to be exultant. / do not care if he in
dulge moderately in platitudes and become a
prefer weIl-directed enthusiasm TO dead in
difference. So, when he is speaking of the
Sunday-school, expect TO find the lover Of the
institution and the correct judge Of its impor-
lance somewhat rapturous. i want his eye 20
sparkle. l want to see all the proofs of sim
cere interest. i do not want to hear him say,
90 would just as leave go and spend an hour of
the week in Sunday-school as TO stay at home
and read or sleep all the time" / would prefer
he should be so attached TO the work-so much
in love with teaching children the way to Christ
and in Christ-that he actually cannot stay
away from his class, is unhappy when absent,
because he and his heart are not in the same
place.
2. We want higher standard as to the in
tellectual results of Sunday-school work. We
must seek to develop the mind. We call our
Sunday gathering a school, !. e., a place Of
learning. So we should consider the insti-
tuition from an educational point when form
ing our standard as to teachers The ideal Of
some is realized by the memOriZing and recit-
ing of seven verses from the Holy Scriptures.
That or some other lesson heard from each
scholar, they turn from their classes and wait
impatiently for the session to close. Such
surely have not the correct theory of Sunday
school instruction. Their practice fails to reach
the standard which should be raised in every
school. There are many reasons why society
should have more elevated idea of the school
as an educator.
a. If this matter were understood there would
be greater eagerness to send children to this in
stitution. Many parents who care nothing
about their children becoming religiously i'm
pressed would be delighted to have them men,
tally improved. There is not so much preju-
dice to mind culture as to soul training. Let
IL be understood our scholars leave school with
richer minds, greater information, and it will
take from the school something of its objection
ableness in certain minds. So we should make
sacred geography, science Bible history, Ian
guage, subjects of instruction.
b. If right idea were gained as to the utility
of the Sunday school as an educator, teachers
would be more careful TO prepare themselves.
They would understand they go to their classes
to teach, not to hear lesson recited simply |;
that they are instructors and not hearers
merely; that their labor consists not simply in
listening to few verses, but in unraveling the
word of God in the illustration and enforce
ment of its teachings, in the clearing up as far
as the human mind can of its mysteries, in the
application Of its truths to the hearts Of the
pupils.
c. Let it be understood the Sunday
improves the mind, aud we would all feel more
liberal IN its pecuniary support.
d. Conviction that the Sunday-schoOl is an
educator will add interest to our sessions. The
zest of scholars is generally proportionate to
the effort to please and edify the intellect.
c. a correct idea of the school as an instructor
would add materially to the range Of topics
taught, and would help greatly in meeting the
question as to how to keep youths and adults
in school. 1t will not do to be feeding on mere
milk. Let there lie a fun b Il of fare, including
the strong meat of the law aud the gospel, and
classes Tor older pupils will be formed and en-
larged.
]. There is still greater reason why mental
training should be popularity Of the school.
We aim for the conversion of the pupils. We
cannot always nor best secure this end directly.
Let it be understood this is the sole object, and
IT would not be so favorable to success IN this
department. instruction is simply means OF
reaching the soul and interesting it in spiritual
things. We are fishermen, and it is not always
necessary to send notice to the fishes that you
are cOming-net, hooks, bait, and all. We are
10 be wise as serpents. These do not always
declare their intentions. The mind is the
hook. We bait it to catch the soul. The route
TO the soul is by way of the mind. Make a
favorable impression on the intelleets Of the
children, and you will stand better chance OF
reaching the sacred inclosure of their souls.
We expect more staple class Of Christians
in the generation 10 come. They Will be edu-
Gated on the start in the doctrind and practices
OF religion. They will act more from principle
than emotion.
in our Sunday school work. The school is a
religious institution. Look further than body
and mind. Attend to the souls in your charge
Anticipate the grand scenes of Judgment Day.
Remember you have much 10 do in determin-
ing the fate of that decisive hour. See those
crowns and palms, For whom are they2 If we
could now, as st. John gazing from Palmos
behold the future. we would see the grand pro-
cession of former Sunday scholars march
ing on 10 the Judge. They bow their heads
and 10! they glitter with starry crowns They
extend their hands, and behold they bear palms
of victory. You hear music. Look, and those
players are children OF Zion, who first learned
to sing the SayiOr's praises IN Sunday schOols
Teachers, gaze forward. Behold the work you
are doing. You are fitting your classes for such
a reception at the most trying hour Of our eter.
nal destiny.
So important is it for teacher 10 have an
! elevated standard. If we would have diligent
successful teachers, we must raise our standard
! Every one who enters the school should have
grand ideal of the institution. 1t is in every in
stance a sufficient apology for q man inactive
in given direction that it is not of enough
importance to engage his talents and support
Let q man, however, feel he is engaged in &
work which insures sacred observance o.
/ Gods day; that sends home kind and Obedient
offspring TO anxious parents; that gives tC
society youths in whose honesty all may cOnfide
that robs jails and State prisons of inmates
| that starves the gallows; that improves the
minds of childhood and lays the basis of ex
tended mental cultivation; that IN many an
instance develops the germ Of an intellect
which dazzles in the theologic world; that gives
| to our missions and homes women eminent fol
mir md Tsfa hal