TO OUR ILLINOIS SABBATH-SCHOOLS AND WORKERS by A. O. Tait

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, December 23, 1884

FromThe Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 61, No. 51

TO OUR ILLINOIS SABBATH-SCHOOLS AND WORKERS.

By A. O. Tait

It is hard to realize the importance of our Sabbath-schools. They do a work, when properly conducted, that can be done by no other agency. Arranged, as they are, with their departments for both old and young, they are adapted to the needs of all. From the gray-haired sire down to the small child, each can here receive the instruction needed to stand through the sore trials just before us. The lessons in the Instructor are setting forth the doctrines of our faith in a very clear and forcible manner. These should be studied carefully; and the Scriptures to be committed to memory, marked by the bold-faced type, should be made our own. I am satisfied that very few, even in our best organized schools, are doing this work as thoroughly as they should.

A few weeks ago I visited a school considered one of the best in the State. After the recitations, I was granted the privilege of reviewing the classes. I asked, first, “What subjects have been discussed in the Instructor for the past few months?” All readily responded, “The Nature of Man, and the State of the Dead.” I then called for all those who could give just one text on each of those subjects, and tell the chapter and verse in the Bible, to manifest it. Imagine my surprise when only two out of a fair sized school raised their hands. This is by no means as it should be. No Seventh-day Adventist should be so destitute of a knowledge of the Scriptures. Of course, any member of the above school could have found an abundance of Scripture proof for his positions if he had been allowed “a little time.” But that will not do. “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” 1 Pet. 3:15.

There is a responsibility resting upon our Sabbath-school officers and the parents and guardians of children, that they cannot shake off. The Lord’s instruction to ancient Israel was very plain: “These words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” If it was important then that so much care should be given to teaching the word of God, how much more important is it now! When I read the record of trouble in Vol. IV. of “Spirit of Prophecy,” and then compare it with the Bible, I am led to exclaim, Who shall abide these things! But the answer comes direct and clear from inspiration, “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Eph. 6:11. See also verses 12-17 of the same chapter.

The importance of a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures cannot be overestimated. They should be searched with prayerful diligence. Upon this point let all read with care the article in the volume above referred to, entitled, “The Scriptures a Safeguard.”

Now, to bring the Sabbath-schools in our State up to the high standard they should reach, means untiring and unceasing labor for all; not in the Sabbath-school on Sabbath alone, but in the homes as well, where the parents should learn the lessons thoroughly during the week, and should spare no pains to see that the children have their lessons well learned also.

Then there is another work that will come under the province of our Sabbath-school workers that we must not overlook; and that is, to see that every isolated family of Sabbath-keepers in our Conference receives the Instructor and holds a Sabbath-school right at home. These isolated families, in nearly every instance, have their membership in some of our churches, and our Superintendents should feel a responsibility resting upon them to correspond with all such families; or, what would be better, visit them if they can, till this matter is fully worked up among them. True, some of these families may live fifteen, twenty, and even thirty and forty miles distant, but it is important

that they should be looked after nevertheless. A good lively interest upon the part of all in the Sabbath-school work will be a great help to keep our churches in a prosperous condition. In fact, a church cannot live without keeping up a good Sabbath-school. The Lord requires it, and the salvation of our souls depends largely upon a thorough knowledge of the Bible. Then let us all take a deep interest in the Sabbath-school as one of the greatest means by which all can get a good understanding of the great truths for our time.

A. O. TAIT, Pres. Ill. S. S. Association.