Year: 1876

BY REV. L. RICHTER.


1t is of great Importance that those
engaged in Sunday school work
should have a clear and definite idea
of its aim. that is, Of the object de-
sired to be reached. Undoubtedly
there are many Sunday school teach
ers who have not once earnestly con-
sidered the question: why am L
Sunday school teacher, and what is
the definite aim that / have in view
in taking charge of "a class Of Sunday
school pupils?" They engage in the
work because perhaps they have
been urged to fill a vacant place, and
go through the routine of the lesson,
exercise in reading or spelling, or the
recitation of memoriZed verses, as
the case may be, without so much as
thinking that these exercises are on
ly a means to reach the real object OF
the Sunday school. would not say
that such work does no good. 1t is,
undoubtedly, much better than utter
inactivity, for very often when the
need of organizing Sunday school
has become apparent, the want OF
suitable teachers is sorely felt, and
the only policy to be pursued is sim
ply to do the Lest that can be done
under existing circumstances. 1t is
to be presumed, however, that there
are, under the most unfavorable con-
ditions, one or more of the prime
movers in the Sunday school work
who have J clearly defined idea OF
the aim of the Sunday school, and
such / would urge to keep the idea
permanently fixed in their minds, and
not to allow difficulties and discour-
agements to make them grow weary
in well doing, "for in due season we
shall reap if we faint not"


What, then, is the aim of the Sun
day school?


Manifestly it is the spiritual train
ing of children for the kingdom OF
heaven. This will become evident
when we consider the following
truths:


First. The Sunday school is an in
stitution OF the church. What L mean
is this: That it was instituted and is
carried on by the church, through
such of her members who saw the
want Of more efficient means for the
spiritual education of children, than
were offered through the ordinary
services Of the church and the home
circle. They saw that, although
Christian duty makes it obligatory
upon the heads of their families to
give them a spiritual education, this
duty was too often neglected, and the
| Sunday school was instituted as the
best means to remedy this evil, as
far as it was capable OF being reme-
died; for, be il understood, there is
not, and there cannot be any institu-
ton that will release parents from
the divine obligation to train UP their
children in the fear and admonition
Of the Lord. | rise still higher in my
idea of the Sunday school, and assert
that it is, in certain sense, divine
institution, having for its authority
the command of the God Man, our
Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ,
Feed my lambs"


Again: The Sunday school is dis
tinctively and peculiarly a christian
institution. That is, it has for its OBJ
ject the furtherance and advance
ment OF Christ's kingdom on earth.
This truth being recognized and ac-
cepted, the aim becomes clearly de-
| fined, for evidently there is not a
more efficient way OF reaching this
object than the spiritual training OF
children for the kingdom of Heaven.


From what has been said it follows
that the chief aim of Sunday school
teachers must be the conversion of
the children committed TO their care.
In ad dressing a company OF Evangel-
ical Christians and Sunday school
workers, 1 need not dwell 10 enforce
the Importance of this, for may pre-
sumo that we are one in the belief of
the truth OF our Lords teaching, that,
"what is born of the flesh is flesh, and
what is born of the spirit is spirit; -
neither need | take up your time in
discussing the unfruitful question, at
what time OF life accountability be-
| gins. 1t is sufficient for us to know
that it is clearly our duty to educate
the children committed to our charge
in spiritual knowledge, and adapting
our instructions as nearly as we can
to their capacities, remembering that
if we plant and water God will give
the increase, and that our labor of
love is not in vain in the Lord.


III what has been said is true, it fol-
lows that Sunday school work, no
less than the preaching of the gospel,
is a most exalted and blessed work,
and those engaged in it from a right
motive to its right aim, are employed
in a calling which, in honor and dig
nifty and blessedness, is second to no
other position that can be compared
with it. Think of this, ye who labor
often under difficulties and discour-
nents; Jesus Himself has said, IF
any man serve Me, him will my Father
honor, and what more acceptable SER
vice can we render to Him than to
feed His lambs.


But while Sunday school work is in
its nature so exalted and honorable,
we should by no means overlook the
| fa.f fbat itc ihilifiaC are