Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-02-05
SATURDAY., FEBRUARY s. 1915
LACK OF SUNDAY SCHOOL
ATTENDANCE.

During a reign of epidemic several
weeks in the fall and early winter,
which caused the city health authori-
ties as a necessary precaution to pre-
vent the spread of a most dangerous
sccurge, disease very fatal to hui
man life, to issue drastic quarantine
regulations which included the clos
ing of the public schools and the pro-
hibition of children and youths under
the age of 16 years from attending
Sunday schools Following the abate-
ment of the disease, these regulations
were rescinded. and the public schools
soon had the usual average enroll
ment, without special effort or force
on the part of the truant officer. Not
so with Sunday schools, as is clearly
to be seen after all these weeks HAY
ing had the legal excuse to stay away
fruu Sunday school and its good in
fluences for a season. very many boys
and girls, whose parents are not ON
the alert and interested. continued to
play truant and are to this day-the
boys are playing hockey, in some al
ley at marbles with dirty faces and
dirtier clothing, while the little girls
that are in after years to be the home-
keepers and mothers are remaining
at home. in many cases, away from
good influences. at least such as would
be had at Sunday school The rolls
of the Sunday schools prove all this
claim and more.
Then there is another sad story in
this connection, aid that is the young
men especially. and in lesser number
the Young women between the ages
of sixteen and twenty-five are also
staying away from Sunday school, up
on one or another pretext, either re-
naming at home, or in more cases,
when the weather permits, spending
the time in outings and at least re-
naming out of reach of the divine in
fiuenee and power of the Sunday
school.
All this is done, as rule, with full
knowledge of the parents or guardians,
those responsible for the care and
training of these children and young
people. and rs indeed a most deDIor-
able state OF affairs as one of the
leading church workers, his manner
expressing deep emotion, said to us
this week. He said further: Il won
der where the end will be?'' The
average absentee upon being ap-
preached on the subject evidences
don't care manner, and many assert
their parents don't care whether they
so to Sunday school or not This is
leading toward the degradation and
ruin of many. Lack of interest in
Sunday school. one of Gods greatest
human institutions that is designed
to educate the young that they may
have a better understanding of His
sacred word. and all the power of
PRAYER, and christian influence, on the
part of parents is past our under
standing, and points to a church weak
ness that must have more thought and
certainly positive action, if the
church is to grow The Sunday school
classes Of children of today must make
up the congregations of christians and
workers for the Master in the years
to come. If they are lacking in mum
bers- and are weak then will the
church membership dwindle away, and
the workers be weak in spirit Real
~ the question is one of most serious
import for every christian in Martins
burg today. 1t is the plain duty OF all
to encourage Sunday school attend
ance in every way within their pow
er.