“THE ADVANTAGES OF SABBATH SCHOOLS” EXAMINED. 2 (Vail)

 

NEW-VERNON, ORANGE COUNTY, NEW-YORK. JUNE 18, 1834.

GILBERT BEEBE, EDITOR.
To whom all Communications must be addressed.

COMMUNICATIONS.

For the Signs of the Times.

“THE ADVANTAGES OF SABBATH SCHOOLS”
EXAMINED.

“We to the rebellious children, saith the Lord that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth, to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt.” Isa. xxx, 1, 2.

BROTHER BEEBE:—In my last I had proceeded so far as to show from Historical facts. First, that the Sabbath school originally had only for its object the mental improvement of the poor children.

Second, from the fact contained in a Tract bearing the above title, viz: “The advantages of Sabbath Schools.” That the mental improvement of the poor children at this time “Is but a subordinate object” with the friends of Sabbath schools.

Third, from the fact contained in History that prior to the establishing of Sabbath schools, “That the Jews had learned men in their schools to instruct the children in the knowledge of Divine things.” That the Romans had Officers in their churches called Catechists whose business was to teach the children religion. That the Episcopalians have those in their churches called Sponsors, whose duty it is to teach children “The Creed, the Lord’s prayer, and the Ten Commandments.”—And that in the Presbyterian church all the “Children born within the pale of the visible church, are to be taught to pray, to abhor sin, to fear God, and obey the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Fourth, from the fact contained in a circular sent by the Superintendant of Common Schools of the State of N. York, to the Commissioners, Inspectors, Trustees, and Teachers of the same—it appears that teaching the children religion, is attempted to be done officially and legally. They were instructed to introduce “Moral Tracts into the schools,”—to establish common school celebrations, and to “establish religious and other exercises” for the same.

Fifth, from the fact contained in the publications and addresses of the friends of Sabbath schools,—they tend to raise a “Christian party in politics.” They say if the Sabbath school “Increases with the same ratio it has for fifteen years, it will “Totally regenerate our Legislatures, and Halls of Congress.” At a great Sunday school meeting held at Washington, D. C. Addresses were delivered by a number of Representatives from the different States; all declaring their partiality for this institution merely for its political worth.

I now come to my sixth, or last proposition as proposed in my last communication viz: That with all the religious education that can be had at Sabbath schools, not one child will ever “be able to come to the knowledge of the truth,” unless “they shall be taught of God.” Now it is not strange that those who believe that parrot like a child can be taught religion, that they should be engaged in establishing and advocating the advantages of Sabbath schools; for it is by this craft that they have their wealth. But that those Christians who profess to be Baptists; that they should be found engaged with Paido Baptists in teaching their children religion, and at the same time profess to believe these Gospel truths; shocks all common sense and denies the most explicit testimonies of Holy Writ, viz: Who believe, that “The preparation of the heart in man,” woman, and child, “are from the Lord!” Who believe that the “gifts and callings of God are without repentance!” Who believe, that “no man” woman, or child, “can come to” Christ, “except the Father draw them!” Who believe all must be “taught of God!” Who believe that it is “the Lord God which teacheth to profit,” and that “leadeth” and teacheth “sinners” and “transgressors” the way! Who believe, that “the Holy Ghost whom the Father will send, will teach” us “all things!” Who believe “not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual!” Who believe, that “the natural man,” woman or child, “receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God,” for these simple reasons; that “they are foolishness unto him;” and that they “can not know them,” although taught in a Sunday school, “because they are spiritually discerned!” Who believe, that it is “God that worketh in” men, women and children “to will and to do according to his own good will and pleasure!” And who believe, that it is not in the power of any man, woman, or child, to choose Christ, but that they are chosen of him,—for says he “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” From these Gospel truths, how plain it is that none are “able to come to the knowledge of the truth” unless they are “taught of God.” But does the New School Baptist, or Sabbath school advocate “yet find fault”? when he knows that the gifts and callings of God are not in the power of man to give! that they are not within the power of a Catechist, a Sponsor, a pious parent, or a Sunday School Teacher. For we are assured in the 9th Chapter of Romans, that “Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham,” (pious parents) “are they all children of promise?” “They which are the children of the flesh these are not the children of God.” “For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God might stand not” of Sunday schools, “but of him that calleth.” So then, it is not of the Jewish Priest, not of the Catechist, not of the Sponsor, not of the pious parent! No, nor is it yet of a Sunday School Teacher. But it is “of God that sheweth mercy.” “And it shall come to pass, that in the” very places where there was no Sunday school, that there shall be “the children of the living God.” “What shall we say then? That the” children which went not to a Sunday school, “have attained to righteousness?” And shall we say that those children which have followed after the righteousness obtained at Sunday schools, or “by the works of the Law,” that they have not obtained “the Law of Righteousness?” Yea we do say so; and we do say that they and their teachers “have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge:” that they are ignorant of God’s righteousness, and are going about to establish their own righteousness.” And we do say, that instead of their being teachers, that they “have need that one teach” them “again which be the first principles of the oracles of God.” And we do say that they “have stumbled” at the doctrine which teaches them that “By grace are ye saved, through faith and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God: not of works:” not of Sunday schools “lest any man should boast.” Now it must be apparent to all, that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. The Apostle James says “If any man lack wisdom let him ask of God,” for “the wisdom that is from above is pure.” But not so with that wisdom which is obtained at Sunday schools, “it is earthly, sensual, and devilish.” “It is written,” that God “will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent”—that he “Hath made foolish the wisdom of this world:” and that “the world by wisdom knows not God:” for this reason; that “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can” a Sunday school pupil “know them; because they are spiritually discerned.” Consequently are hid from the wise and prudent and revealed” to poor illiterate Fishermen.—Yes, “God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound things which are mighty; and base things of the world,” and those “which are despised;” (illiterate preachers) “hath God chosen to bring to nought things that are,” viz: Sabbath schools for teaching children religion; for this reason, “That no flesh should glory in his presence.” There are many at the present time who “desire to make a fair show in the flesh”—they are zealously advocating the advantages of Sabbath schools and soliciting all to send their children; for say they “surely you will have no objections to having your children read the Bible, and by so doing they will be able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” This indeed is very plausible;—but “In Christ Jesus,” we are informed that “they sing a new song; and no man” woman or child, “could learn the song but” those “which were redeemed from the earth.” Yes there must be a “new creation:” they must be born again! or they can not sing the new song—although educated in a Sabbath school, it availeth nothing. Art thou a Sabbath school teacher, “and knowest not these things?” He that knoweth his Master’s will and doeth it not “shall be beaten with many stripes;” “Wo unto him that saith to the wood, awake; to the dumb stone, arise;” “Wo unto the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin: That walk to go down into Egypt, & have not asked at my mouth to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and trust in the shadow of Egypt!” Isa. xxx, 1, 2.—Brethren, “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of God abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you:” or your children, “but as the same anointing teacheth you all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him, 1 John ii, 26, 27.

In conclusion, let it be observed that “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: neither can” the natural child although born of pious parents, and educated at a Sunday school, or taught by a Roman Catechist; or been under the paternal guardianship and instruction of a pious Sponsor, “know them: because they are spiritually discerned.” If this “is truth, and is no lie:” Then down goes the whole Sabbath school system! Down goes that institution for giving a religious education to the rising generation! Down goes the legal establishment of religious and other exercises! Down goes the plan of a truly christian party in politics! Down goes the machines for totally regenerating our Legislatures and Halls of Congress! Down goes that political scheme of benevolence, which is evidently of such great worth! Down goes the Stepping Stone for uniting the hearts of Christians in furthering other benevolent operations! Down goes the machine for converting sinners and hastening the millenium! Down goes the Nursery of the church! Down goes these Nurseries of Heaven! Yes and down goes one of the most Anti-christian institutions in existence!

“Thus terribly shall Babel fall,
“And never more be found at all!!”

LEBBEUS L. VAIL.