Year: 1879



 | them. This answered we next en; Iquire, How? Where? When? How By precept and example. Wherei At the mothers knee, in the day Ischool, in the public sanctuary and 1 in the Sunday school. When? From the time it's checks diinple with smiles at your caresses. But it's training in the Sabbath school is Jour topic of discussion. Yet before II give any suggestions on the best method to be pursued in instructing the infant class, must be indulged lin short reminiscence of my own youth. It is doubtless fresh in the minds of many present, that, in as short 2 period as the last twenty five years it was the custom to regard the children as sort of necessary evil, nuisance much deplored. But as it was impossible to abate the nuisance it was decided that at home and abroad the most rigid rules of discipline should be adopted. The main item of instruction was in the quaint old proverb, s'children should be seen--not heard,' and such was decorum in those days of Puritan rule that the Sabbath was a day of dread, and the ministersuch sacred and divine parsonage that l thought it would be little less. than sacrl- lege to speak to him, and concluded that the best way l could show him proper respect was to stand up meek ly in his august presence and offer hlm the bible as a token of my high but mute regard for his orders of divinity. 1 am glad, however, that we have improved in that respect, and to day the welfare of the chil- dren IS uppermost in our minds, and while l think with fearful gratitude of sainted parents who taught me to love the Lord and early led me to the Savior, yet 1 repeat, am glad that the stern rules of control soften ed and we now regard our ministers and teachers as our friends and: panions. The child is encouraged now to speak, to sing, and to play. Books are printed for it's especial benefit, and Christian men and women all over our land are to-day searching for these little lambs, to bring them into the fold of Christ.

 It seems that the various Sunday schools have had little or no difficult ty in thelr management ot the older pupils, but the little restless, impa- tient children, who arc not old enough to read and spell, but who must be taught, these are the ones for whom we plead, and the care of thelr spiritual interests the cause of of our assembling here to-day. The Sunday school in my opinion is for the especial benefit Of the children. It should be considered the nursery of the church and each child within it's bounds should be taught to re- gard the Sabbath school as its spir- itual home and sure retreat, If older persons seek admission, by all means bid them come. but remember that the primary object of the sun day school is the training of the children. Every adult in the Sun day school should be regarded as in process of framing for the purpose of teaching the children.

 The next great essential is the choice of teacher, the Superinten- dent must have keen perceptive pow CTS, and appoint none as teachers but those who are protessedly pious, but particularly must he provide for the Infant class one whose life is consecrated to God, and whose love for the children is closely akin to that of Him who said: "suifer little children to come unto me and forbid them not" The very best talent should be chosen for this extremely difficult position, for as itisall impor- tant that the foundation ofa building should be constructed with the great est skill and care, so should the in fant mind receive the most judlcious training. The teachers devotion to Christ, and love for the children, must be manifested in the eye, by the lips, with the hand, and from the heart, all these agencies must be united to attract the attention and win the mind of the child. The teacher should bo bright cheerful, jealous and loving, teaching chiefly