The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1886-06-19

ESSAY.
To the members of the District Meeting and
Sunday School Convention, at Shiloh
Church. MAY %. 1896

Churcn, may ~, 1850
Brother Moderator, Beethren ont
Sisters:-Having been appointed BY
our association to write on the, "Bes
Method Of Conducting a Sabbath
School," and it is a subject that occu
pies large place in my heart, comply
with pleasure though you will find
this very imperfect, for you must re-
member as to details oc work, each
school must have a law unto itself.
Yet the general principles are the
same in all. We must recognize the
church as controlling, and being re.
sponsible for the Sunday-School, the
pastor of the church is also pastor oI
overseer of the Sunday-School, for the
Sabbath-School is the church at worl
on the Lords day for the good of tn,
children, young folks and especially
young converts.
The watch-word of all Christians
should be, "Come ye children, harker
unto me, and | will teach you the feal
Of the Lord" then the task will be 4
pleasure instead of burden.
In all things, very important mat
ter is the start. Start right. Jesus
recognizes the importance of this fact,
for He taught His apostles before He
sent them TO teach others. Therefore
in selecting superintendants and teach,
els, we should select those most com.
petent to teach. Don't measure com.
potency by worldly standard of learn.
ing, but by their piety and Christian
zeal, for live babe has more power
than a dead giant. For we must know
Jesus before We can teach Him to 9th
ers. We must experience something
Of the beauties of holiness, before we
can show these beauties to others.
We cannot but speak the things we
have seen and heard.-Acts 4-2O.
/ think, Brethren, it is best for the
church to meet, and after prayer and
consultation, select a brother with a
good measure of zeal and patience for
he will have need of both) then leave
the appointing of teachers and arraDg-
ing of classes, etc, to the Judgment of
your superintendent. Give him time
to think and pray over the matter /;
don't forget to pray, Brethren, for if
you are not working in the spirit Of
the Lord, it will be best to quit.
As to class work, etc, could give
you no advice, unless in your particu-
lar school use your own Judgment in
this, (as in all else,) for the central idea
is to learn and teach the Gospel, which
is the power of God unto salvation, to
every one that beleiyeth. If You feel
weak and unable TO do what you think
should be done, SO much the better.
Kueel at the feet of Jesus, until you
become full of his word and spirit
Luke 10th ch. 42d "; then you can
talk of bis love,-Psalms 77-l2. Read
what Jeremiah says, ch. 20, v. 9. Also
what Peter and John said, Acts eh. 4,
goth verse.
Now, this is the secret of success.
Jesus can do more working through
you, as an instrument, in one day than
you can do by your own power or
wisdom in year.
Now we will need some lesson helps,
Sunday School periodicals., etc, which
will call fsT some money. We must
not be afraid of money, Brethren, nei-
ther love our money better than the
souls of our children. Money is as an
angel from heaven, or demon from
hell, according to the way we use it
Matt. ch. 9, "a; Luke IG ch., 9th
and 10th verse.
Brethren, Hamilton and Shaddock
can give you the necessary information
concerning graded lessons, Sunday
School papers, etc, remember the
Bible is our text book. and these helps
are only as lamps, to shed light on the
Sacred Word, and help open for us the
rich mines of truth.-I. Cor 2 chap,
18th verse.
Now, If the Lord will bless anything
in this to encourage you, ] am thankful.
A word of exhortation and we will
close. Dear Brethren and Sisters,
when yon are engaged in the Lords
work, be earnest and sincere. Read
to understand the spirit. Sing with
the spirit, and pray for more Of the
spirit. Don't compromise with The
world. Don't come to the Sunday
School 10 talk politics, nor to discuss
your farm. Let Us learn well the mean
ing of the word, Act, act. Put life in |
il; spell it again, Acct, Fill ii full Of |
Ioye-I. John, ch. 4.-Then act.
Conduct your school not for amuse-
7od to teach vong cl,iIdren M ,yay
Il salyation yon can ,,iant III sasg