The Sabbath-School Index: Pointing out the history and progress of Sunday-schools, with approved modes of instruction.Pardee, R. G. (Richard Gay)
Religion
The Sabbath-School Index: Pointing out the history and progress of Sunday-schools, with approved modes of instruction.
Pardee, R. G. (Richard Gay)
Sunday schools
But to come to the details of this work, and how it should be begun
and carried on: First choose wisely the location for a new church or
mission Sabbath-school. Then select one or more men and women full of
life and zeal as a nucleus of interest and labor. Next survey and
visit systematically all the families in the district, and present the
objects and the value and adaptedness of the Sunday-school to their
wants. Pray much and at every step, privately and socially, especially
in the early stages of the effort.
Get all ready for a good commencement. Have every thing arranged, so
that not a moment of delay in finding the right hymn, or in singing
it, will prompt the children to find something else to do. Do not
admit children faster than you can conveniently control them. Some
superintendents aim at gathering a rush of scholars the first Sabbath
or two, and the result is that they lose months in getting to order
and control of the children. It is often better to admit only a dozen
or two new scholars at a time, and get them well classified and
arranged, and in the hands of good teachers. There most be order, and
the superintendent must wait for it, although he may not at the first
do much beside. Much depends upon starting right. Have Testaments,
hymn-books, and Sunday-school papers, if possible, ready on the first
Sabbath.
Select a clear, distinct, easy lesson at the first, and whatever is
done, let it be well done. Select the teachers carefully, and admit
none who have not a good report, and are not of a teachable spirit.
Meet with the teachers socially every week, if possible, to aid them
with your suggestions and help. Be cheerful, earnest, and respectful
to all. Keep up a regular visitation of teachers and scholars, and let
your visits bear a fraternal and not an inquisitorial aspect. Prove
yourselves the true friends of parents and scholars, and never get out
of patience or discouraged because you cannot gain the children of
Roman Catholics or Jewish parents at once: it may be only a question
of time. At any rate, do them all the good you can at their homes,
whether you ever lead them to the Sunday-school or not. Duty is
ours--results belong to God. Through the children reach the parents,
and through the parents reach the children. Let your errand to the
house always be one of kindness and good-will, so that if they do not
receive you kindly it will be because they misunderstand you. These
visits, however, are almost invariably well received if made in a
natural, pleasant manner, proceeding from a "charity which hopeth all
things." Respect and honor the parents all you can, whether they
commit their children to your care or not. Exhibit our beautiful
library books, our sweet songs, our attractive children's papers, and
speak of the great kindness and love of the teachers to the children.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account