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PARENTAL INFLUENCE IN THE SABBATH-SCHOOL WORK

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Tuesday, November 18, 1884

FromAdvent Review and Sabbath Herald, Vol. 61, No. 46

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PARENTAL INFLUENCE IN THE SABBATH-SCHOOL WORK.

By H. F. Phelps

“Influence,” says Webster, “is that invisible power known only by its effects.” So if we wish to determine the influence of a person or thing, we look for the effect of that influence. The influence of the magnet is known only as we see the effect, which is to draw, to attract. The influence of the Spirit of Christ and of the Christian religion is also known by the effect it has upon the receiver. Says Christ, the author of this religion, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” This power, or influence, is seen in that it always elevates the receiver. In this it never fails. The influence of Satan, who has always opposed the work of Christ, we also see, and recognize from its results. And what are they?—Waste, desolation, and ruin, which have been, and will ever be, visible wherever the power of evil has a foothold. If we wish to know something concerning the influence of a person in a neighborhood, we look for the effect of that influence. If a person is regarded as slack and untidy in his habits, if his promise is regarded as of no value, if he is looked upon as a busybody in other men’s matters, or if the opposite of all these, we at once determine the nature of his influence.
Coming closer home, we look to see the effect of the parent’s influence over the children, for “children are what we make them.” If in them we see, on the one hand, pride and vanity, habits of slackness and untidiness, if their tongues run riot in foolish conversation, if there is quarreling and backbiting, or if we see the opposite of all these, the young people going about with a steady firmness to do the right and resist the wrong, we know the influence of the parents.
We see, then, that our influence may be either good or bad. It may be exerted on the right or on the wrong side. So in the Sabbath-school may it be either good or bad. And it is here, again, that we have only to look at our children to become acquainted with the nature of our influence. There is no mistake in this; for children are but a faithful mirror of parental example, and will act out what we put in. This influence is known, seen, and felt in many ways; for a word, an insinuation, a look, or even occupying a neutral position, may throw an influence for or against the Sabbath-school work.
But do not the interests of the Sabbath-school center in and rest with the officers and teachers, and particularly with the superintendent? We answer emphatically, No! While we admit that upon both officers and teachers, and particularly upon the superintendent, rests a great responsibility, we also say that the success of the Sabbath-school depends largely upon the influence of parents. And parents are to a large degree responsible for its success or defeat. It is with reference to success or defeat that we look for the effect of parental influence; for the success or defeat of our Sabbath-school work will eventually be measured by the salvation or loss of our children. By this, we see that the effect of our influence will reach far into the endless ages of eternity. Then let us examine ourselves. If the children are always on time, with lessons well learned, if they are deeply in earnest in all the exercises of the school, seeming to feel that, for the time being, at least, their very all depends upon the duties of the hour, we know that their home-influence is good. And when we see these traits in the children, we need not look in vain to see the same in the parents. And if we see them in both parents and children, we feel that the success of that Sabbath-school is certain. But if on the other hand, children come late, with an untidy appearance, with poor lessons, and manifesting but little interest, seeming to regard with suspicion the requirements of the school, we look, and shall not be disappointed, to see the same spirit manifested in the parents; and we are assured that, unless there is a remedy applied, the defeat of that school is sure.
Then we are led to this conclusion, that officers and teachers may feel the importance of the work, and, feeling it, may work and lift with all their power, but their efforts may nevertheless be defeated by parental influence. We also come to another conclusion; that we need not come out in open opposition to the Sabbath-school work to exert such an influence as to defeat its object; but we may sow the seeds of ruin and desolation by silent and unseen influence,—seen only in its effect. But when we try to lift the veil, and realize that the effects of our influence reach away into the unseen world, that it will affect the spiritual welfare and eternal destiny of our children for weal or for woe, we exclaim, “How very careful we should be of our influence!”
Beloved brethren, what has been our influence in the past? what is it for the present? and what will it be in the future? God help us that it may be what it should be. May parents so guard their influence that they may build up the Sabbath-schools, and may God bless our Sabbath-schools, is my prayer. H. F. PHELPS.