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Testimonies on Sabbath-School Work
In studying the Scriptures, in manifesting an unselfish interest in
others, in doing those things that will please the Saviour, you will
grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour. Let every
teacher and scholar ask, “What can I do that can be counted as good
service to Him who has died that I might live?” The Master gives this
answer, “Seek and save that which is lost.” You are to work in Christ’s
way, with patience, with interest, with determination that you will not
feel discouraged as you work for time and eternity, believing that Jesus
can do much through human ability consecrated to His service. What
higher privilege could we desire than to be laborers together with God,
making the most of our intrusted powers, that this very work may be
accomplished?
When young men and women are sober minded, and cultivate
piety and devotion, they will let their light shine forth to others, and
there will be vital power in the church. It would be well to have an
hour appointed for Bible study, and let the youth, both converted and
unconverted, gather together for prayer and for the relation of their
experiences. The youth should have a chance to give expression to
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their feelings. It would be well to have a judicious leader chosen at
first, one who will talk little and encourage a great deal, by dropping a
word now and then to help and strengthen the youth in the beginning
of their religious experiences. After they have had a little experience,
let one of their number take the leadership, and then another, and in
this way let workers be educated that will meet the approval of God.
Behind Our Duty
In our efforts to help the youth we are woefully behind our duty.
We have had great light, but we lack in zeal and earnestness, and
have not fervency of spirit proportionate to the privileges we enjoy.
We must rise above the chilling atmosphere of unbelief with which
we are surrounded, and draw nigh to God, that He may draw nigh to
us. We must educate the youth, that they may learn how to work for
the salvation of souls; and in educating the youth for this work, we
shall also learn how to labor more successfully, becoming efficient
agents in the hands of God for the conversion of our scholars. We
must become imbued with the spirit of earnest labor, and lay hold
upon Christ, claiming Him as our only efficiency. Our minds must be