Chapter 1—The Sabbath-School and the Church
Service
The Sabbath-school at-----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 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. 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
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even greater care should be taken by the parents to see that their
children 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 and children see no necessity for this interest, then the children
might better remain at home; for the Sabbath-school will fail to prove
a blessing to them. Parents and children should work in harmony with
superintendent and teachers, thus giving evidence that they appreciate
the labor put forth for them. Parents should take special interest in
the religious education of their children, that they may have a more
thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.
There are many children who plead a lack of time as a reason
why their Sabbath-school lessons are not learned; but there are few
who could not find time to learn their lessons if they had an interest
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