Chapter 18—The Sabbath School
Vital godliness is a principle to be cultivated. The power of God
can accomplish for us that which all the systems in the world cannot
effect. The perfection of Christian character depends wholly upon the
grace and strength found alone in God. Without the power of grace
upon the heart, assisting our efforts and sanctifying our labors, we
shall fail of saving our own souls and of saving the souls of others.
System and order are highly essential, but none should receive the
impression that these will do the work without the grace and power of
God operating upon the mind and heart. Heart and flesh would fail in
the round of ceremonies, and in the carrying out of our plans, without
the power of God to inspire and give courage to perform.
The Sabbath school at Battle Creek was made the one great theme
of interest with Brother E. It absorbed the minds of the young, while
other religious duties were neglected. Frequently, after the Sabbath
school was closed, the superintendent, a number of the teachers, and
quite a number of scholars would return home to rest. They felt that
their burden for the day was ended and that they had no further duty.
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When the bell sounded forth the hour for public service, and the people
left their homes for the house of worship, they would meet a large
portion of the school passing to their homes. And however important
the meeting, the interest of a large share of the Sabbath school could
not be awakened to take any pleasure in the instruction given by the
minister upon important Bible subjects. While many of the children
did not attend public service, some that remained were not advantaged
by the word spoken; for they felt that it was a wearisome tax.
There should be discipline and order in our Sabbath schools. Chil-
dren who attend these schools should prize the privileges they enjoy
and should be required to observe the regulations of the school. And
even greater care should be taken by the parents to see that their chil-
dren have their Scripture lessons than is taken to see that their day
school lessons are prepared. Their Scripture lessons should be learned
more perfectly than their lessons in the common schools. If parents
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