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Counsels on Sabbath School Work
A Child’s Observation
There was a general superintendent of Sabbath schools who, while
addressing a Sabbath school upon one occasion, was very dry, lengthy,
and uninteresting. A mother asked her daughter of ten years if she
enjoyed the exercise, and also, “What did the minister say?” Said
the little girl “He said, and he said, and he said, and he didn’t say
anything.” Now, we do not want any such account of our labor as that.
We want the very best of training for the work that we can possibly
have ourselves, so that we can make a success in teaching others the
things that we have learned.—
Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work,
111, 112
.
Punctuality
It is a sad failing with many that they are always behind time on
Sabbath morning. They are very particular about their own time, they
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cannot afford to lose an hour of that; but the Lord’s time, the only
day out of the seven that the Lord claims as His, and requires us to
devote to Him, quite a portion of this is squandered away by sleeping
late in the morning. In this they are robbing God. It causes them
to be behind in everything; it makes confusion in the family; and
finally results in the tardiness of the entire family at Sabbath school,
and perhaps at meeting. Now why can we not rise early with the
birds, and offer praise and thanksgiving to God? Try it, brethren and
sisters. Have your preparations all made the day before, and come
promptly to the Sabbath school and meeting, and you will thereby not
only benefit others, but you will reap rich blessings for yourselves.—
Youth’s Instructor, March 19, 1879
.
Punctuality and decision in the work and cause of God are highly
essential.—
Testimonies for the Church 3:500
.
Begin at the Appointed Hour
Meetings for conference and prayer should not be made tedious.
All should, if possible, be prompt to the hour appointed; and if there
are dilatory ones, who are half and hour or fifteen minutes even behind
the time, there should be no waiting. If there are but two present, they
can claim the promise. The meeting should open at the appointed hour,