AN ENCOURAGING SUNDAY SCHOOL GATHERING.
The twelfth annual meeting of the Sunday School, Devonshire Road Chapel, Greenwich, was held on February 8th. The singing of a hymn was followed by the reading of Psalm xix. by Mr. Boorne, the Pastor, and prayer by Mr. Joseph Whittome.
Mr. Boorne, in his remarks, referred to Pharaoh's desire to keep the children in Egypt, even if the God of Israel compelled him to let their parents go. But they also had to come out from bondage.
He said a phrase was sometimes used to hinder the planting of Sunday Schools, namely, "that they are often only a nursery for the Church." His opinion was, that a Sunday School might be put to a much worse use. He thought it a good and desirable thing when it was so; and scholars taught of God, as well as by their teachers, passed from the Sunday School into the Church.
The Secretary and Acting-Superintendent, Mr. Samuel Boorne, then read the report. He noted four encouraging facts. The increase of numbers—twenty new scholars, making 140 in all. That the infant class, the feeder of the school, was increasing. The manifest interest taken in their school by many of the scholars, for, though it was twelve years old, some of the original scholars were still connected with the Bible Classes. Her Majesty's Jubilee year was commemorated by the gift to each child of an ornamental card, on which was printed the Coronation Oath, taken by Her Majesty on her accession, to preserve the Protestant liberties of her country. It was put into a gilt frame, and was much appreciated by the scholars. The collecting cards for the Aged Pilgrims' Friend Society, issued this year by request, and always a voluntary effort on the part of the children, resulted in £6 10s.
Mr. Marshall, of Clifton, then interested many by his pleasant and solemn remarks. The possibilities for the future represented by such a gathering of boys and girls formed a fitting theme. He hoped there were none present who would be the means of breaking their parents' hearts. A page from the life of a youth who really did do it, and who traced the beginning of his evil doings to drink, was pointed and solemn, Mr. Marshall saying it was his conviction that children should never be allowed to acquire a taste for so dangerous a luxury. He said he was a total abstainer himself, and did not think—and probably the audience agreed with him—he looked any the worse for it.
His concluding words will be remembered. After fifty years' experience of the love and ways of God, he testified to young and old that there was no happiness in anything but the knowledge of God in Christ. It surpasses and eclipses all. "He will do everything for those who are His."
He then addressed a few words to the teachers, advising them to stick to the Word of God. The Holy Spirit was able to teach even children. He once baptized a girl of fourteen, of whom he could say he knew she was a vessel of mercy; and why should he keep her out of the privileges of the Lord's people? He would not hesitate to baptize a child of ten if he or she gave sufficient evidence that they knew something of their own sinfulness, and something of the Lord Jesus. "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"
Mr. Wilmshurst then began his address by reminding his young friends of the many happy Sundays they had spent together. What pleasant gatherings they were! He had not forgotten them, if they had. But now he wished to speak of a most remarkable gathering of people. He referred to the four hundred men who gathered to David in the cave Adullam (1 Sam. xxii. 1, 2). The remarkable points were these:—
First, they were all remarkably poor—"in debt"—and bankrupts in those days were liable to be taken for bondmen, or slaves (see 2 Kings iv. 1). We are all in debt to God, and have "nothing to pay." We add to it hourly, and unless the heavy debt is paid by us (which is impossible), or by Another, we shall be shut up for ever in prison with Satan and his angels.
Secondly, these men were remarkably discontented—discontented with Saul, the reigning king, his service, and his rewards; and they came to David, an uncrowned king, with no apparent advantage to offer them. True type of those who, like Moses in a similar case, have "chosen rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."
Thirdly, they were in remarkable distress. So are all those who come to King Jesus—a distress which others cannot understand, and often cannot account for. "What must I do to be saved?" is a strange trouble to many.
Fourthly, they had remarkable desires. They wished to find David, to dwell with him, and have him for their leader and captain. And David himself was a fugitive, hunted by Saul—poor, powerless, and hidden away in a cave in a mountain, where, probably, it was very difficult to find him. So there are some (only a few compared with the number of the people of the land, like David's four hundred) whose hearts are set on finding Jesus. They wish to be near Him always. He (like David) is difficult to find. He must be usually searched for "as for hid treasures" (Prov. ii. 4), but when found, He becomes their Captain.
Fifthly, these men had a remarkable reception. They had no good characters—nothing to recommend them—but they were received. So Jesus also "receiveth sinners and eateth with them." As the Pharisees despised Jesus for keeping such company, so Saul and his servants despised David. Jesus says, "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out."
The reception of the four hundred was also remarkable because they were uninvited. But here the type fails. Jesus has invited those who "come" to Him (see Matt. xi. 28).
Sixthly, the men made remarkable soldiers. Their doings are recorded in 2 Samuel xxiii., and the doings and victories of the good soldiers of Jesus Christ are to be found in Hebrews xi. David's soldiers did not live idle lives in the cave, nor do Christ's soldiers have peace always. They have to "fight the good fight of faith" with "the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God," and the bow of prayer. They fight, however, with their Captain's eye upon them (see Psa. xxxiv. 15).
Lastly, they were remarkably rewarded. When David came to the throne, they were put in positions of honour. The visible reward of Christ's followers is yet to come (Dan. vii. 22, 27; Matt. xix. 28; Luke xxii. 29, 30). He has promised also to give them "manifold more in this present time," as well as "life everlasting" (Luke xviii. 28-30).
The prizes were then distributed by the Pastor, and after a concluding word of prayer, this encouraging meeting was brought to a close.
E. M.