Sabbath-School Worker
October 1, 1885
Our Sabbath-Schools
Teachers, Officers, and the Young
I feel deeply interested in the education of children in the Sabbath-school. There is not that carefulness in the selection of officers and teachers which there should be. It is a most solemn work to so mold the minds of youth that they shall not be satisfied with the form, or to be mere machines. God has given them intelligence, and this needs to be cultivated, especially in the younger members of the Sabbath-school. Special efforts should be made to draw out the minds of the children, not merely upon the subject of the lesson, but in the direction of religious life and Christian experience. The teachers, if they are what God would have them, will have precious lessons for the children, not found in the lesson-books,—lessons drawn from a living experience with Christ. The children need to be taught briefly but lovingly in regard to what constitutes a true religious life. They should be made to understand that religion is not something that is to be attended to on special occasions and in certain places, but that it is a matter of every-day experience. Every day there will be the necessity of practicing self-denial, of making strong and decided efforts to overcome self, pride, and vanity. SSW October 1, 1885, par. 1
But few children, even of those who profess to be religious, obey the fifth commandment. This is the commandment of promise, and it is trampled upon and disobeyed almost as much as the fourth commandment. The promise of eternal life is only to those who do the Father's commandments; and many children and youth who have professed to be Christians will be subjects of the last plagues, because they will not obey these commandments. The angel with the writer's ink-horn by his side will not put the seal of God upon any child who is irreverent, disobedient, and dishonors his parents. The destroying angel is commissioned to slay utterly old and young, both men and women and little children. If children are insubordinate and disobedient to their parents, they will be the same to God. SSW October 1, 1885, par. 2
Among our youth, many desire to engage in the “missionary work” who have not had an education in home missionary labor. They cannot see the little duties, the patient, humble labor they may do to make home happy, and thus be a light in it. By thus faithfully acting their part at home and helping to bear the daily burden of duties, they may obtain an experience which will fit them to become missionaries on a broader scale. This home missionary work, done cheerfully by youth and children, is precious in the sight of God. SSW October 1, 1885, par. 3
I have had recently brought to my knowledge, circumstances in regard to a class of youth, who, though professed Christians, seemed leagued together to help one another to be not only irreligious, but immoral. Letters were written to each other filled with slang; the contents were concerning the parties and dances they attended, the young men they kept company with; and language the most low and debasing was freely used. The truth and those who advocated it were reviled. Some of these were learning the dress-maker's trade, and some the millinery business; and they gloried in their aptitude to deceive their parents, their employers, and the church, and in the thought that their base conduct was kept a secret among themselves. The mothers of some of these girls were not entirely unaware of their course; but the children had broken away from all restraint, and refused to obey or respect the wishes of their parents. SSW October 1, 1885, par. 4
Young people of this class have attended the colleges, have been associated with others in day-school and Sabbath-school, and so have exerted an influence over the other pupils, who did not know all the vileness of their course. If forced to obey rules and regulations, they become insubordinate, and manufacture lies against the teachers in the schools, just in accordance with their own vile imaginings. We might suppose these could have no influence, yet they have had a decided one. We cannot feel that the mothers are inexcusable in these matters; for if they had managed their children after the rules laid down in the word of God, they would not have taken such a course. SSW October 1, 1885, par. 5
I mention these things that the conductors of our Sabbath-schools will not feel that, though the children have a knowledge of forms, and can act like well-regulated machines, the work is a success. You must go deeper. Every teacher should, by precept and example, be able to show the plain and upward path to purity, to holiness, and the paradise of God. SSW October 1, 1885, par. 6
There is much false religion even among children. Many who profess to be followers of Christ are in the broad road to perdition; and this is one of the signs of the last days. “In the last days, perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,...having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” And many youth will choose these immoral, low minded ones as their companions, thus showing that their own minds have been cast in the same inferior mold. There is work to be done, earnest, loving work, to elevate the minds of the young, and bring them up to the Bible standard. Its sacred truths must be the rule and guide of our life. Coming from God, it admits of no mistakes. It is the sure word of prophecy. SSW October 1, 1885, par. 7
Missionary work needs to be done around our own firesides. Many overlook their home duties in religious matters, and take up burdens away from home, to save other souls. God help the workers to commence right, and labor in accordance with God's written word! I know what I say when I tell you that not one-twentieth part is being done in S. S. effort in our large and smaller churches that might be done. The workers in Battle Creek are too prosy. They do not drink deep draughts from the well of salvation. There is form enough, like soldiers on parade, but the deep, inward working is wanting. There is constant danger of forsaking the great fountain of living waters, and drinking at little turbid streams which contain poison and produce spiritual death. SSW October 1, 1885, par. 8
Every branch of the work needs to feel the purifying, sanctifying, ennobling influence of the truth of the Bible as it is in Jesus. Oh for the power to come right to hearts, with the old, sweet story of the cross! The teacher, imbued with the love of Christ, and softened, subdued, and contrite before God, can use his talents in devising ways and means to reach the hearts of the inattentive and impenitent. Would that everyone whose name is registered on the church book might cleanse the heart, the soul temple, and open the door that Jesus may come in and make him a channel of light, so that he can have a compelling power through Jesus Christ to bring souls to Christ. SSW October 1, 1885, par. 9
When Jesus possesses the heart, there will be no prevarication, no secret iniquity practiced, no hidden sins covered; all will be as transparent as the sunlight. Care must be taken that the youth who walk secretly in the paths of dishonesty and corruption be not accepted as teachers or officers in the Sabbath-schools. The course of some that are teachers is such that God abhors them. Falsehood, fraud, dissembling, and immorality is written against them in the books of heaven. The standard must be elevated, and sins and corruptions must not be permitted to exist in our midst. While the guilty ones are honored with positions of trust, where they educate and give lessons to the youth, how can God bless the work? How can those with unholy, unsanctified hearts, that have never known the religion of Jesus, feel competent to be teachers and superintendents in our Sabbath-schools? How can they elevate and purify by their example? SSW October 1, 1885, par. 10
Let those who undertake to act a part in God's cause and in his holy work, be men and women of pure lives and character,—men and women of sterling integrity, who make the word of God their standard of duty. With meekness, and reverence for God, combine these three: “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.” One is our master, even Christ, and to him we are responsible for doing the work he has committed to our trust with pureness, with knowledge, with love unfeigned. God will not intrust sacred interests to be managed by unclean hands and unholy hearts. We must have greater spiritual eye-sight. We must ourselves be learners in Christ's school before we can be teachers. We are to stand as representatives of Jesus Christ, to ward off as far as possible all influences that are pernicious and tend to corrupt those under our care. The value of the souls of youth demands this of all. If one in the church or serving in the Sabbath-school be dishonest and unreliable, it is the work of faithful men to see that his influence does not spread, and that souls are not misguided by him, and deluded into sin. Unless this work is done, you are charged with guilt by the Lord for conniving at deception and hiding sin. God help the workers to elevate the standard! SSW October 1, 1885, par. 11
Saith the Lord, “I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay-tree. Yet he passed away, and lo, he was not; yea, I sought him, and he could not be found. Mark the perfect man and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace.” Will the fathers and mothers uphold their children in iniquity? will they seek to lessen the sin which the Lord abhors? Will men in responsible positions see who is intrusted with sacred trusts? Will we elevate the standard, that the sin of Achan be not chargeable to God's people, and they put to shame? SSW October 1, 1885, par. 12
“Thou hast a few names,” said the angel to John, “even in Sardis, who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white; for they are worthy.” These held fast their integrity as did Joseph and Daniel; and they secured the characters which God represents as more precious than the gold of Ophir. Such characters will let their light shine. They have been led by the light and love of Jesus, which constrains them to improve every opportunity for promoting the cause of Christ in the earth, devoting their God-given powers in making men purer, elevating and sanctifying them for heaven. What a work is this to stand registered in the books above,—a work of which we shall not be ashamed, but which will live through eternal ages! SSW October 1, 1885, par. 13
E. G. White.