The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-03-20

Similar reports can, however, be found from our
penitentiaries houses of refuge, reformatOries
Mr. Raikes declared that Of the 1900 trained
in hisschools not one was ever to his knowledge,
imprisoned. Statistics more recent show that
at times quite number Of prisoners once at
tended Sunday school. This rises from the
fact so many go into our schools, remaining for
short periods. Then too, we fear the moral
training is not so thorough as is possible. The
writer conversing with murderer condemned
to death, heard him say that there was no doubt
but that had he enjoyed Sunday school train
ing he would have escaped a shameful death.
As the writer beheld tho indications of deep
regret, as he heard the clang of the chains that
bound the prisoner, he realized the utility of
early religious education. Had it not been for
such restraint many another one would DO on
their way to the gallOws As the writer heard
the drop fall, and knew that the murderer was
struggling in the agOnies Of an igDOminiOus
death, ne looked over toward tho steeple of the
neighborng church aud thanked God for his
several successive Sunday teachers.
Let instructors remember that only small
percentage of those who attend Sunday school
regularly, and for any considerable length
of time, find way to jail or prison. Faith
ful Sunday-schoOl teaching largely lessons
the necessity for places of punishment. This
ia done on the principle of prevention. When
n teacher looks on the faces of his class, he
him. To a goodly extent he is to determine
whether those before him are to become Neros,
Caliguas, murderers, thieves, robbers fOTgers,
or Iuthers, Wesleys Whitefelds Seaburys /;
whether they shall become good, useful, honest
companions, ornaments to society, blessings to
the church, or pests to home, community and
sanctuary. The mere mechanical ideas of
classes and teaching will do much good but If
further there BIO fixed purposes aud energetic
efforts tn cultivate character, to fix moral prin-
cples. and to turn over to the Church and State
devout Christians and honest citizens the re-
suits will he much grander and much more
worthy of zeal and sacrifice.
All said above refers alike to both male and
female classes In the visitations Of the writer
at different places of punishment he has
noticed women as well as men. He has heard
from the gratings of many a prison the voices
of women ordinarily sweet and delicate break
ing the night air with hide0us oaths. In vari-
Gus institutions for female punishment, women
are found with all the marks Of vice. plodding
on weary days to wear out varied seasons of
punishment In many eases the teacher stands
between his class and grated walls.
But Sunday-schoo work need not make a
speciality of such gross otieDses. IL will do
much il its main ethical aim is to send out into
society honest upright men and kind, sweet
tempered women.
b. A teacher ought to aim todismiss his class
each Sunday, better boys and girls-to send
them home TO be moro loving and Obodient to
parents and more kind to brothers and sisters.
II is well to look for moro immediate benefits !;
10 fit children for home. school, the play
ground society. Parents ought to be able to per-
ceive mn Improvement in the conduct of chill
dren resulting from Sunday-scbool instruction.
Make this point in teaching. Talk over these
matters in the Glasses When children recite
the fifth Commandment, impress on their
minds the duties Of loving and Obeying fathers
and mothers Thus children can be taught the
more practical parts of Christianity, and this,
in turn, will be great help toward the Guilt
vntion of piety aud the attainment of holiness
Of mind. In the school. classes can acquire
many Christian habits. Teach children their
duties-tell them to be good at hOme-tO obey
fathers and mOther5-to love brothers and sis
ters-to be kind to all, yea even to brutes-nOt
TO use profane language. Thus we reduce our
teaching to immediate results. We have direct
objects in view. We can SEQ TO some extent
the products of our labor.
There are reasons why teachers should make
effort 20 see that children bring forth fruits at
once in the home. school. everywhere.
i. Such products encourage parents to send
their children to Sunday-schools. If boys and
girls went regularly from Chureh-sehools and
were noticed 10 be worse than ever, they would
soon be forbidden attendance by their parents.
III Lncy lelL ctlu'iilS Dan! parents WOulu not it
tach much importance TO Sunday school in
struction. IT. however, children become better
by going to the ChuTch-schools-mOre obedient,
gentle and kind-pIrents will feel sense of
duty impelling them TO send their offspring TO
such schools. Parents love TO sec their children
advance. If the boys and girls improve in con-
duet by sunday-sch0ol instruction the school
gains in respect and the hearty help and sym
pathy OF parents are insured.
> III the Suuluy-schDsl shoy rood uraefiPn1
results, society in general will feel encouraged
in supporting the institution. Let it be seen
that OF the boys found fighting, heard swear
ing, seen arrested and put into houses of ref
uge, few ever attended Sunday schools, aud i'm
medIately community declares in favor of such
schools. Let scholars be known by their greater
goodness and reliability. If man wants TO
send some money To another. he should feel
safer il member of a Sunday school class be
given il TO carry. Teach to such an end. The
Sunday school will have helpers enough if it
turns out useful, kind, truSty scholars.
3. Good practical results from instruction are
great encouragement 10 teachers. How many
an instructor has longcd to see some visible
evidences of Improvement in his scholars.
Nothing will so dishearten as to see no indica-
tions of good, after laboring week upon week,
month upon month. To get encouragement,
teach something which demands present prac-
tice. DO not look out so much into the future
for certain great results. 1t is better Just now
10 have good boys aud girls than beautiful an
geic beings. Teach children to go 10 their
homes with hearts of love for father, mother,
sister, brother. Give them lessons TO practice
Immediately. How cheering to you for a pa
rent to come and tell you how good Charlie,
Willie, Jennie, Mary aro since joining your
class. Teachers should be aids in parental in
struction and discipline.
We assume children can begin now to be good.
If we can persuade boy to obey his parents,
we have prepared the way for HIM To keep
Gods Commandments. He Will be forming the
habit of subordmation. If children be taught
10 love the members of the family, it will be
the more easy 10 impress them with the duty
of loving their Savior. Early instructions
cling to one, and become the basis of character.
When children trained in affection and Obedi-
ence become Christians. they will be more
likely 10 DO permanent followers of Christ, since
love and subsection will be the more natural
Hence the Sunday school teacher must aim to
train pupils in love, obedience, honesty, truth
fulness, kindness, prOmptuess industry, purity,
Spp Hos. obs ,t,,ag, los. e 81,