The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-11-13

which l do not recollect to have ever seen
suitably and copsecutively presented in any
Sunday school. Our children ought to be
furnished with perfectly clear conception
of the reasons for the faith that is in them.
The history of the Church, and of the
development of doctrines should, moreover,
be treated here; and the names of the great
Christian epochs, together with the lives of
the Saints, should be familiar as household
words. Besides this particular attention should
be given to the history of our own sect, and
an admiration for the work of our fathers
should be stimulated by the narrative of
their heroic efforts to establish the renewed
Gospel.
Once more, the distinguishing character
istics of leading denominations should be
portrayed; and those of our own, with it's
plan of organization, its officers, its method
of work, should in particular be exhibited,
with the object not only of delivering these
facts, but through them of enlisting the active
sympathy of the growing youth for our insti-
buttons. This also is manifestly of the
highest moment, yet all but totally neg
lected.
No less emphasis should be placed upon
the series of moral lessons, calculated to
give practical pertinence to all the duties of
man to man.
And high conception of the distinctively
religious life should be nurtured, teaching
and training the children to habits of private
devotion, and getting them, in the good Bible
phrase, to give their hearts to God.
Some attention should be paid also to
manners; for Sunday school children should
be examples of polite, gentlemanly and
womanly behavior.
Still further, correct views should be in
stilled concerning the prevalent vices of
intemperance and the tobacco and opium
habit, with such other treatment of current
reforms as may get the spirit of reform and
independent citizenship in the brain of the
child's constitution.
This is not given as a complete list of the
topics we would include in our text book; but
At will suffice to show how broad is the field
we would occupy, and how narrow is the
range of our actual desultory efforts.
1t is our idea that, perhaps, a smaller book
in which several topics just named, such as
"Christian Evidences" and the argument
for Universalism," would have no place, or
only very brief mention. For general use,
however, of pupils from ten years old and
upwards, one manual would suffice; but to
perfect the scheme, it might be thought
important to prepare for the use of teachers
of fha fooo nd oil
Bible classes, more elaborate and exhaust
i've compendium, following the same order
as the smaller books.
On consideration of the number of lessons
needful to set forth these topics suitably
with our purpose, and of the size and cost of
text-b book that would be within reach of the
average school, we believe that the scheme
would, however, depend largely on the num-
Der that could be disposed of.
While the plan here sketched is, in a
degree, ideal, it does not appear to us to be
visionary. Whether it can be attained at
once, or best be realized by gradual steps;
whether there is in our Church skill and
wisdom competent to the preparation of such
book or series of books, are questions of
grave Importance, which your Committee is
not prepared to discuss at present.
We believe, however, that we have here
caught hold of an idea that, besides being
original, new departure in Sunday-school
methods, is pregnant with the greatest posi-
bilities if judiciously managed. Progress
toward this mark must necessarily be slow;
but the agitation should never be suffered to
wholly lapse.
committee of our General Convention is
charged with the duty of preparing cate
chism, and this may, when published, be
subsidiary to the larger designs herein advo-
Gated.
AS the best present settlement of the mat
ter, we recommend, that a Committee of
two be appointed to present the scheme
herein suggested to different leading Sunday
school workers in our Church, inviting their
suggestions andcriticisms upon the plan, and
that the results of this correspondence, to-
gether with any further statement and recon-
mendations of said committee be reported
to this body at its next annual session.
Should this committee be able to propose
the name of some person whom they consider
competent to prepare the work proposed,
and give estimates of the probable cost OF
publication, together with practical sugges-
tons as to ways and means, it might hasten
the realization of the project here discussed