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.