Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-01-16
The Influence of the Sunday School
On the Church and Civilization.
BY REV. p. L. QUEEN,
OF JACKSONVILLE, FLA.
SCHOOL ON THE CHURCH AND CIV

SCHOOL ON THE CHURCH AND CIV
ILIZATION."
At the threshold of the investigation OF
this question we enter a realm unvisited
by ordinary thought, we are TO deal with
intangible forces-forces that mould char
acter and read the scaffoldings Of human
destiny. The influence Of individuals as
well as that of organized bodies enters
the mind and soul of others along chan
/ nels of living thought. 1t is one of the
invisible agents OF spirit force, and with
all the widening horizon Of knowledge
and accumulated experience we must die,
and wait the acknowledgment Of nobler
powers in a better world to understand
the mystery Of its touch. But we know
that influences come into our lives and
effects us for veal or woe. Enshrined
in each individual heart are the hidden
treasures Of this mighty force, mo man
liveth to himself" Every life lifted up
in the scale of moral excellence is tro-
ply to the all conquering power Of we'll
directed influence.
EVERY soul we have led to the foot Of the
cross,
Every lamb we have brought to the fold,
Shall be kept as bright Jewels our crowns
to adorn
In that beautiful city Of gold"
The Sunday school is a reservoir Of
moral influence, the birthplace of heaven
| ly hopes, the cradle scene of the better
| life. The most beautiful words in the
English language have been woven into
| sentences expressive of the relation 1t
| sustains to the church. BY some 1t Is
called the nursery of the church, by 9TH
ers the church at work-beautiful express
sions of tender relations. But above and
| beyond all this, 1t is a shrine Of holy In
| fuence. 1t is radiating point whence go
out the gentle ministry of thought,
=, IL
spired word. A fountain whose waves OF
influence beat against your gate. That
such citadel of moral power, occupying
the background of Christian effort, can
fail to exert an influence for good to the
church OF the living Redeemer is beyond
the range of reasonable conclusion.
Amid the unfolding splendors of the
coming church the influence Of the Sum
day school will be seen in the divine ulu-
mination of its membership.
The apostolic churches were largely In
fiuenced by the emotional element of the
Christian religion, stirred to action by the
visible manifestations OF the Holy Spirit.
The Scriptures were written in the He
brew and Greek language, but few copies
in existence, expensive and but few were
able to read. The sublime doctrines con-
tanned in the old and new Testament
Scriptures were proclaimed by men divine
~ inspired. But we are heirs to better
inheritance. The Bible is being enthroned
in the hearts OF all nations. 1t has been
translated into the language of all the
lisping tongues of mortals. It's life-giving
words send a stream Of consolation Into
the heart of the widowed mother as she
kneels with her fatherless children at
evening prayer. IT is the heaven-born in
SEPARATION of the pulpit-the pilgrims sign
board that points to a better country.
This book is the text book of the 13.-
100000 pupils enrolled in the Sunday
schools Of the world. It's lofty counsels
are thus hallowing the well springs Of
Christian knowledge leading sould up in
to higher regions Of thought and to
broader vision OF life's capabilities.
From this army thousands are entering
each year into the higher service OF the
church life. The occasion OF this trained
element to the church must brighten the
glory and intensity its power. No church
can live long and maintain it's organized
force without the helpful influence of the
Sunday school. 1t is her reserve force,
and the ministering angel OF her extend
ing power.
In a brief reach of twenty years the
church will be largely represented by men
and women of trained minds trained in
the Sunday schools, reaching forward by
the impressive influence of living thought
into higher regions of action and to
broader knowledge OF humanity's endless
destiny.
The influence of the Sunday school will
be felt in the church by intensifying
THE GRACE OF GIVING TO THE
te LORDS CAUSE. H..
The pupils in our Sunday schools are
being trained to give to the Lords cause
and when they enter the church this will
not be left behind. There are many with
cred souls in our churches today be-
cause. they have neglected to put some
thing into the treasury of the Lord. They
may. have legal church fellowship, but
they have never crossed the threshold
that admits one into that higher and pur-
er realm Of Christian fellowship. This
realm Is presided over by the conscious
presence of our elder brother. the living
Redeemer. All rituals and forms are ig
nored.
The joys Of this blessed estate flow
out os the intercommur~oa OF kindred
souls blessed with co-;=ousness that
they have borne each others burdens,
and so fulfilled the law of Christ. Some
of our churches record their ability to
give by the number Of male members in
the church. Do they mean to rob their
wives and daughters Of the grace of Civ
ing? But the influence of the Sunday
school will correct this. Oh, the power
of the church when the boys and girls
of our Sunday schools enter its gates
trained to give.
CIVILIZATION WILL FEEL THE IN
FLUENCE OF THE SUNDAY
-4.a SCHOOL.
Civilization to be enduring and a fac
tor in carrying forward the great pur-
pose of God in human destiny. must be
grounded and rooted in the lofty pre-
cepts of the morality taught in the Old
and New Testament scriptures. This
wonderful book, composed Of sixty-six
books. contains the only account we have
Of mans origin and destiny. 1t is the
seed bed of all history-the only mention
we have of some ruined empires and dis