nent the importance of this institution. Sermons should be preached with reference to it-Sabbath school concerts should be held, and other means employed, to create a correct sentiment in regard to this enterprise. In this manner, by familiarity with this department of Christian exertion, right views will come to prevail; and if they can be connected with a warm-hearted piety, we shall find no Jack of teachers, if there are members enough in our churches. Another thing it may be well to notice. The Sabbath school enterprise ordinarily seems to be given up to the younger part of the church. Now, is there any necessity for this? Is not the wisdom of experience and of age as important in this work as in any other? Is it not to be presumed that those who are parents themselves, if their circumstances will admit, will make as good, if not better teachers, than those who have had but comparatively little to do with training the minds of the young? It is well worthy of consideration, whether those who are in mature life should not be engaged in this cause. If they were, the force of their example, at least, would be afforded to secure and retain the co-operation of those who are younger. Hence, the only way to secure and retain the services of teachers in our Sabbath schools, is, to excite a deeper interest in this institution throughout the church, and to enlist in the work of instruction all who are competent to teach. The first will be an internal stimulus, the stimulus of a glowing piety, enlightened by Divine truth; and the last will afford the powerful influence of example. In this way, the sentiment will come to be entertained, that the Sabbath school must be fostered and sustained by the whole church, and hence our members will come to feel that to engage in the work of instruction is an imperious duty, a duty required by the solemn vows which they have taken upon them to be God's. |