The Duty of the Church in Relation to Sunday Schools [pp. 377-393]

Duty of the Church
cessible information, and he may communicate it with more
ease and advantage than it could be derived by the consultation of original sources of knowledge. It is the best expedient a minister could adopt of refreshing his memory with
his early theological and biblical studies, to give his teachers,
if not his whole congregation, an introduction to the learning
connected with a full understanding of the Bible. He may,
at least, be always ready to refer the studious to authentic
sources of instruction, and furnish every facility to enable
them to make their own acquisitions.
An intimacy with the school also commends itself to a
minister as creating a new tie between him and his people.
It connects him with the teachers and learners, in a manner
which greatly strengthens the affection and promotes the influence of their mutual relation. The indication of an active
interest on his part in their plans, has a natural tendency to
persuade them of his earnestness in the service of the Redeemer. His countenance and assistance encourage them in
their labours, and an assurance of his sympathy relieves them
amidst many trials of faith and patience. The members of
the classes are more deeply impressed with the importance of
their privileges, when they see their clergyman putting a high
estimate upon them. The same remark may be applied to
the Church at large, and children will be likely to undervalue
the institution when they see Christians, both minister and
people, keeping aloof from them, or viewing them occasionally, as they do a curious exhibition. No set rules are desirable to regulate the manner in which the proper interest
should be manifested. We know that there are some ceremonious assemblings of the schools in presence of the congregation; that a church-member sometimes accidentally
strays into the school-room; and sometimes a regular delegation makes a perfunctory progress through the apartments.
Even these cold recognitions are better than total neglect; but
let Christians determine the value of the institution as a
means of glorifying God; let them pray for it with the energy
that a conviction of its true nature would inspire; and then
shall they find appropriate methods of efficient patronage:
then shall be seen more enduring and extensive results than
the amplest pecuniary endowment can buy. The minister
must guide the faith and charity of his people into this channel. His mere declamatory sanction will avail little; but let
him be seen as an active member of the organization; let not
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