SIR, [To the Editor of the American S. S. Teacher's Magazine.] To remove the difficulties attending the practice of taking Sabbath School children to church, and to prevent the noise, trouble and interruption often occasioned by them in time of worship, have for a long time been with me matters of serious consideration, and they appear to be worthy of the attention of all who have at heart the promotion of Sunday School in terests. That children attached to Sunday Schools should attend divine worship needs no argument; and it would not require much argument to prove that this place of worship should be exclusively for them, and such devotional exercises only as are suitable to them should be there introduced. The subject cannot be better illustrated than by a relation of a few facts, and it may then be left to the judgment of your readers what ought to be done. Those children who attend divine worship in their respective churches, are generally seated in a gallery so far in the rear as not to see the minister, or be seen by him. I would merely ask this question of those who made the arrangement: Would they themselves occupy a seat from which they could not see the minister? Add to this, the subjects of the discourse are but seldom within the comprehension of children. And how can it be supposed that they will listen to a subject they do not comprehend, proceeding from a person whom they cannot see. Schools are not often provided with hymn books for public service, and during that exercise the children are idle or playsome. The teachers are apparently averse to sitting with the children, but leave the whole charge to the superintendent. Should he be absent, they will not be likely to obey any other person placed over them These are a few only of the difficulties arising from seating the children in the church: some of them I have encountered myself—all of them I have seen often, and they are to be seen any Sunday in very many churches in this city, Now I will state to you another mode of management: I visited a place last Sunday where there are four schools, two female and two male. They were collected at balf past ten when they had all taken their seats, a teacher handed to every child a hymn book, entitled, a collection of hymns for Sunday Scholars, containing such songs of praise as were applicable to Sunday School children. The first exercise, was that of singing the hymn which was read and explained before it was sung, and every boy by having a copy before him could be made to understand what he was singing. It was sung with the greatet decorum. After this a prayer was offered to the throne of grace adapted peculiarly to them; they then sung another hymn, after which a chapter from Proverbs was read, and each verse explained carefully to the children; some comment was then made on the whole chapter; a passage was then taken from the chapter just read, and applied to the children with considerable effect, and an anecdote was related relevant thereto; after which, a few general remarks were made by a visiter; they then sang another hymn, (not, however, before it was explained); then another prayer was offered; the books were then taken and a remark made as to the manner in which they should leave the house, and the school was dismissed. up, The behaviour of the boys was exemplary, the silence, order and attention, far exceeding any thing of the kind I had ever beheld. The advantages resulting from an establishment of this kind, can only be appreciated by those who have witnessed its effects. I will just point out a few: 1st. The children are seated in pews arranged in such a manner that they can see the person addressing them. 2d. The exercises are such only as can be understood by them, and are more varied, and of course, short, so as not to tire these juvenile hearers. 3d. The desultory manner of instructing them is more likely to engage their attention than any other. I would offer the following proposal for consideration: suppose this city were divided into districts; each consisting of eight or ten schools, and places of worship provided for each : district suppose a preacher were employed to deliver a short address to Sunday School scholars in each place: if no one could be engaged, let application be made to the Missionary Society. There is as great need of a preacher in the outskirts of this city as in the remotest parts of this vast continent. I am, &c. T. The editor acknowledges his obligations to the intelligent writer of this paper for his judicious communications. He agrees with him in his view of the advantages which distinct places of public worship for Sunday School scholars would give where they can be instituted. The attendance of these scholars at church, while they are so ill accommodated, must be very irksome to them, and may tend to make impressions the very reverse of the benevolent design of their instructors. The only objection the editor has to the plan pursued at the place visited by his correspondent is, that the schools are instructed, during the time of divine service, whereby both teachers and scholars are prevented from an attendance on public worship in church. Now, in the opinion of the editor, no advantages can compensate for this defect in the plan. The public worship of Almighty God, in places consecrated to his service, is a duty which cannot be too soon inculcated, nor too rigidly maintained; and the habit of going to church on Sundeys should be formed with the earliest habits of moral and religious life; "grow with our growth, and strengthen with our strength."-The editor would therefore call the attention of his readers to the institution of Sunday School Churches, as one of the greatest blessings that could be conferred on the rising generation. [To the Editor of the American S. S. Teacher's Magazine.] New-Haven, January 26, 1824, SIR,-The importance of Sabbath school instruction as a means of grace (being second only to the preaching the gospel) is so great, that every endeavour to call the attention of Chris tians to this subject, and every attempt to improve its system, and to prepare teachers for their employment, should be hailed with joy by every friend to the cause of the Redeemer. It was, with these feelings that I read the prospectus of " The American Sunday School Teacher's Magazine." That such a work is wanted in our country cannot be doubted, and of the utility of such publications the experience of the English Sabbath schools afford ample testimony. As a means of stimulating Christians to come forward and act as teachers of youth who are forming characters for eternity -to impart instruction, in the duties of teachers, to the young and inexperienced-instruction derived from the experience of Sabbath schools, in all parts of the world, and in all situations : to cheer the hearts of teachers, who are sowing the seed, by disseminating intelligence of the success of their fellow teachers: all these are subjects of such importance as to warrant the belief that the happy influence of such a work will be extensively felt through the country. In furtherance of one object of your Magazine, permit me to call upon some one of your correspondents for an answer to this question, viz.-Ought Sabbath School teachers to encourage their scholars to the performance of their duties in the school, by exciting emulation, or by any other means than by those arguments which spring from their duty to God? I take it for granted, that Sabbath School instruction aims not so much to improve the mind, as to affect, and to amend the heart; not so much to make shining characters in this world, as to prepare for a blissful eternity; not so much to raise those who are taught to a high standing in society, as to bring them into a state of reconciliation to God. To accomplish this purpose God has given his holy truth as the instrument of sanctification. His "word" he makes "quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword." It is "the sword of the Spirit," on which all who are called to teach in religion are to depend as the instrument of conviction and conversion. "Our weapons," says an Apostle,. "are not carnal, but spiritual;" and such weapons are mighty to the pulling down of strong holds." Yet, to the eye of natural reason, such means seem too weak to fix the attention of children, and to interest them in the study of the Scriptures. Should we endeavour to impress on them their duty to study the Scripture, and to give a spiritual obedience to its precepts, from a love to God, and a love to his truth, reason would say, that as this is a principle of which they are entirely ignorant, as they walk by sight and not by faith," all arguments of this nature would be of no avail. In pursuance of this reasoning, rewards of tickets, &c. are given out, and the children are excited by pride to excel their fellows, and become "the best boys in the class," or "in the school." By thus exciting them to study; by working upon the principle of pride, which by nature works so deeply, even in the youthful heart, and which it is the direct object of the Christian religion to eradicate, is it not defeating the very object of their religious instruction? Should not the teacher, by a prayerful reliance on the blessing of God, bring the truths of God's word to bear upon their minds, and endeavour to impress upon them their obligations to use diligence in the use of the means of grace? Would not a diligent and prayerful use of these weapons do more good than all others? Can a teacher look with confidence for the blessing of God upon his labours, while he is feeding and fostering a spirit which is diametrically opposite to that which it is the object of the Gospel of Christ to impart ? The preacher of religion, who should endeavour to excite his people to a Godly life by a vain desire of excelling their neighbours, instead of urging their obligations to do all things from a sincere love to God, and a desire to glorify His name, would be despised and pitied by all who had ever felt the efficacy of divine truth on their own hearts, or had seen it in others. Would not this conduct in Sabbath School teachers, whose avowed object is to lead their children to the knowledge and "the love of the truth, that they may be saved," be equally absurd and dangerous? It is true, much might be thus done towards correct outward deportment, but it would assuredly fall far short of reaching the heart. |