Guiding Principles in Administration
117
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. 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.—
Testimonies
on Sabbath-School Work, 7
.
Small Company Sabbath Schools
Companies of Sabbathkeepers may be raised up in many places.
Often they will not be large companies; but they must not be neglected;
they must not be left to die for want of proper personal effort and
training. The work should not be left prematurely. See that all are
intelligent in the truth, established in the faith, and interested in every
branch of the work, before leaving them for another field....
[184]
It has been proved in the missionary field that, whatever may be
the preaching talent, if the laboring part is neglected, if the people are
not taught how to work, how to conduct meetings, how to act their part
in missionary labor, how to reach people successfully, the work will
be nearly a failure. There is much to be done in the Sabbath school
work, also, in bringing the people to realize their obligation and to act
their part. God calls them to work for Him, and the ministers should
guide their efforts.—
Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work, 109
.
The Camp Meeting Sabbath School
Dear brethren and sisters who assemble at our camp meetings,
we wish to address to you a few words in the interest of our Sabbath
schools. This is one of the important branches of the work, and should
not be left to chance, or to haphazard management. If these schools are
conducted as they should be, the efforts made in the pulpit to present
the truth in a manner to win souls may be deepened; and if the labor
bestowed is followed up by interested workers in the Sabbath school,