p. 199 | OUR SABBATH-SCHOOLS by O. Olsen

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · March 25, 1880

FromThe Review and Herald, Vol. 55, No. 13

OUR SABBATH-SCHOOLS.

By O. Olsen

BY O. OLSEN.

The Sabbath-school, if conducted aright, will be a means of much good. But to have a successful school, it will be necessary that all, parents, teachers, and children, work together in perfect harmony; for without harmony little good can be accomplished. The reason why many of our Sabbath-schools prove a failure is, that parents do not feel interested. The children never receive a word of encouragement; they never see their father or mother study the lesson, and conclude that it cannot be very necessary for them to do so.

The alarming increase of infidelity and skepticism, the growth of the satanic doctrine of spiritualism, besides the thousands of other snares which the devil has placed in our path, ought to arouse parents to a sense of their great responsibility,—ought to make them realize the necessity of teaching their children “sound doctrine.” Greater efforts must be made, if we expect the youth and children to pass victoriously through the time of trouble just before us. Parents, work with your whole heart for the dear ones God has given you, remembering that time is very short. First of all, let your children see that you believe the thrilling truths for our time. Let your conversation in their presence often be on heavenly themes; and when bowed before the throne of grace, do not forget them. The preparation for the Sabbath recitations ought to begin early in the week. In the evening, when you have your children with you around the fireside, let the conversation be on the subjects treated of in the lesson; in this way you will arouse a great interest in their minds.

In the words of another, “There are evils and difficulties in all our schools which none but the parents can remove. Prominent among these is the lack of parental authority,—home government in religious duties, extending to the sanctuary and the Sabbath-school. Direction, restraint, and authority in respect to the observance of the Sabbath, the study of God’s word, the attendance on preaching and the exercises of the Sabbath-school, are hardly known at the present day. . . . The observance of the Sabbath, the study of God’s word, are duties. The child should so understand it. Every parent should feel the responsibility of making these duties pleasant. There should be higher concern in regard to the matter than as to how the child is to succeed in business.”

The superintendent’s responsibility is great. He should have daily communion with God, the fountain of wisdom. “His sympathy for youth and faith in childhood must irresistibly attract to him young and old alike, yet his devotion and respect for the Master’s cause forbid undue familiarity. His consecration to the work, leading him to frequent surrender of time, convenience, personal ease, social festivities, business arrangements, and often to the expending of money and labor, will speak more than mere words can do of his estimate of the Sabbath-school as an evangelizing agency, and prevent, upon the part of both officers and scholars, any disposition to make the school a mere means of pastime or entertainment. . . .”

“Ripe Christian experience must make him a suitable counselor of the young, and bring him into close, confidential, and tender sympathy with all who seek or will receive his encouragement. His reputation, as far as possible, should be without aspersion, and his character such that the association of his name with the school shall be to the community a favorable recommendation, and, with the Divine blessing, a token of its success and fidelity to the great purposes of its organization. . . . He must be a man living in constant communion with the blessed Saviour, to whose glory his life is consecrated; for without his blessing, human nature is inadequate to the sublime responsibilities of this position. He must be one who has learned to govern himself, and who, in the midst of circumstances most perplexing, can remain tranquil and composed.”

The teacher’s responsibility is equally great. He should study to do his work in the best manner possible. It is not enough that the superintendent is filled with the love of God, and is interested in the work; but every teacher should emulate his example. The teacher should be cheerful. “A merry heart,” says Solomon, “maketh a cheerful countenance;” and a cheerful countenance, it might have been added, makes a merry heart. The iceberg does not more certainly chill the sea about it than does the teacher whose expression is cold and rigid, chill the young hearts about him. He should feel and manifest a warm personal interest in those committed to his care.

It takes wisdom to be a successful Sabbath-school worker; but one who daily seeks for Divine guidance, will, by the blessing of God, reap a rich reward. May God bless our Sabbath-schools.

Emmittsburg, Iowa.