Chapter 2—The Use of Helps
Some efforts have been made to interest children in the cause, but
not enough. Our Sabbath-schools should be made more interesting.
The public schools have of late years greatly improved their methods
of teaching. Object lessons, pictures, and blackboards are used to
make difficult lessons clear to the youthful mind. Just so may present
truth be simplified and made intensely interesting to the active minds
of the children.
Parents who can be approached in no other way are frequently
reached through their children. Sabbath-school teachers can instruct
the children in the truth, and they will, in turn, take it into the home
circle. But few teachers seem to understand the importance of this
branch of the work. The modes of teaching which have been adopted
with such success in the public schools could be employed with similar
results in the Sabbath-schools, and be the means of bringing children
to Jesus and educating them in Bible truth. This will do far more good
than religious excitement of an emotional character, that passes off as
rapidly as it comes.
The love of Christ should be cherished. More faith is needed
in the work which we believe is to be done before the coming of
Christ. There should be more self-denying, self-sacrificing labor in
the right direction. There should be thoughtful, prayerful study how to
work to the best advantage. Careful plans should be matured. There
are minds among us that can invent and carry out, if they are only
put to use. Great results would follow well-directed and intelligent
efforts.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:69-70
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