“Are these leading men hard to win over?”
“No, not all,” answered Mr. Brown; “they are mostly well-meaning, and if you can convince them of a more effective way, they will go with you; but some are very bigoted.”
“What arguments do they generally use against our reformatory movements?” continued the missionary.
“They generally rely upon the supposition that our forefathers lived and died without any of these ‘new-fangled doctrines,’ and if they went to Heaven without them, we can too.”
“Why, don’t they see,” queried the missionary, “that the Bible is full of temperance, (Acts xxiv. 25; Gal. v. 23; 2 Pet. i. 6; 1 Cor. ix. 25; 1 Titus i. 8); of revivals (Acts ii. 2), and prayer-meetings (Acts i. 13, 14; xvi. 13; xii. 12; Luke xxii. 39-46)? There are also evident commands for teaching the Scriptures to the children, as is done in the Sabbath-school (Gen. xviii. 19; Deut. xxxii. 46; xi. 18, 19; 2 Tim. iii. 15). I do not think they would call these things new, if they would prayerfully study God’s Word.”
“I wish you would take up these points at the proper time, and give them a full Scriptural illustration,” replied Mr. Brown. “I think it would be acceptable to the people.”
“I will do so; but on Tuesday night I will dwell entirely upon the utility of Sunday-schools.”
The hour for singing-school had arrived, and the children had gone, taking with them an “Appointment” written by the missionary, to be handed to the teacher; and they had not forgotten their cards and papers, which they intended to exhibit.
After the singing was over, the teacher read, “God willing, the Sunday-school missionary will deliver a lecture on the subject of Sunday-schools, and, if practicable, organize a school here next Tuesday evening, at early candle-light.”
“Who is it?” “What is a Sunday-school like?” were questions asked all around, but were left unanswered. In the meantime, Henry and Eliza’s cards and papers had been going the rounds from hand to hand. A general confusion and excitement ensued, ending in a resolve that they must all come on Tuesday night.