Newspapers / The Star of Zion … / April 24, 1885, edition 1 / Page 1
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s· -,- I . -.. »Ein-»F DIE Cuj ·-Jii--'-»«I. «s-. disk ich-L jin-UT USE-TU ’T II s . .mm VOL. IX. PETERSBURG, VA., FRIDAY, APRIL 24,1885. NUMBER 14 CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF THE A. M. E. ZION CONNECTION IN ALL PARTS OF THE LNITED STATES. THE SABBATH SCHOOL—ITS ADVANTAGES AND IMPOR TANCE. , BY REV. G. W. CLINTON. According to previous announce ment, we begin pur article on “The Sabbath school—Its advantages and importance.” It is the prevalent notion among Christians everywhere that the Sunday school is the school for the moral and religious training of the youth on the Sabbath. While none will deny persons of advanced ages the right to attend or decry the bene fits that may be received by such, yet all agree that the Sabbath school is, literally the children’s school. The history of the Sabbath school is closely connected with the onward progress of the Christian church. It is by no means a modern institution, neither is it an offspring of the Chris tian dispensation of the times of Christ and his subaequent followers. It is a plant of the old dispensation, and to this all must readily agree when they consider the main object of the Sab bath school, viz: to train up children by the scriptures and other booka having the scriptures for their basis, in the way that they should go. In aH ages, whenever * revival of pure religion took place, one of the results has always been the giving of especial attention to the children and young by the church of God. In the inspired volume covering a period of four thousand years of this world’s history, there is throughout, a careful regard for children. Concerning Abraham who was chosen for his spe cial fitness to be the head of the an cient church. It was said, I know him that he will bring up his children and his household after him and they shall keep the way of the Lord. When Moses the great deliverer of Israel and law giver received the law from thundering Sinai amid smoke and lightning, he called all Israel to gether and taught by God he spake to . them thus: “Hear, O Israel; these words which I cammand thee this day shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy chil dren.” This admonition was not to individual parties but to Israel as God’s church Of course there is training for parents to do and woe be unto that child whose parents neglect so impor tant a duty. But it is the duty of the church aside from and as a supple ment to parental training, to teach the children. Especially is this so in this age and among our people where there are so many parents incapable of performing this all-important duty. The church should see to it in the winding up of its mission, that all. her children, and as many as she can make her children, shall be taught of the Lord. mere is no agency wnicn supplies or supplements the work of parents, as the Sabbath school. Thus we learn by the quotation already announced from Deut., nearly 4000 years ago, the Sabbath school, idea was set forth; and where is a higher authority or more direct commission for any of the great Christian sects that bless our land, than the above for the Sabbath school? It is an institution appointed and watched over by the All-seeing eye, and it is simply the church exert ing herself in a godly way for the sal vation and heavenly training of her children. It is no auxiliary to the church, but a part and parcel of the grand church system, and Should never be looked after with less care and zeal than the elect fold Itself. He who commissioned his disciples to go preach, also commanded them to teach. He who bade Peter in the most positive manner, “Feed my sheep,” said with same deep meaning voice, “Feed my lambs.” Then is there not as much authority for the Sabbath school as for the church ? Do not all say yes? All must agree to this who have taken the care to read the accounts of our Lord as furnished by the evangelist in which he shows such profound love and uninterrupted , attention to the children. Surely never can one forget the rebukes to those who would deny the little ones the privilege of the master's blessing.^ Dnring the latter part of the .2nd. century Tertulian established those celebrated catechumenical schools, of which the great origin was one of the catechists, in order that he might checkt he defection of heathen converts The influence of these schools was felt elsewhere, and others were established much to God’s glory and the church’s edification. ’ 1 > w nen martin juutner tne great re former begen the reformation he or ganized the celebrated Sabbath school at Wittenburg; John Knox did like wise in Scotland. The Pilgrim fathers in planting the cross, upon this conti nent recognised the importance of this department of the Christian church, and established the first S. 8. Novem ber 1674. Thus the growth of the work drug along until the 18th cent ury, when Robert Raikes, the founder of the modem system of Sunday schools through the suggestion of a lady from a pin factory, began the noble system which now does such wonderful- good for the entire Christian world. Bishop Asbury of the M. E. Church was the first to introduce them into this country, hence they are coeval with Methodism, aqd has been one of its greatest means of bringing up its immense following, and from this de partment it has furnished the world some of the best talent that now grace the pages of history. An institution of undoubtfol divine origin, and with such a history should not be neglected or slighted. We as a body of Christians having under the care of our ministry thousands whose minds are panting for the living streams which flow through the Sab bath school channel should awake. “Awake, O Zion, put on thy beautiful garments/’ Clothe the children in properly organized and well furnished Sabbath schools- “Awake thou that slumbereth,” no longer lie in lethargy but come out and enjoy the fair light which Christ has promised and which the Sabbath school offers. If we would have a prosperous and growing Zion, let us keep this department of our church folly abreast with the age in which we live. Let us patronize our own Book Concern that it may .soon be able to supply us with as much and as good a quality of S. S. literature at as cheap or cheaper rates than can be obtained elsewhere. As we advised in our last, please do not foil to revive every Sabbath school and supply them with literature. Get efficient teachers noted for their love for Christ and the glorious work of bringing young souls to him. Our next will be on the “Advtantages of the Sabbath school.” The Stab of Zion is the organ of the A. M. E. Zion connection and should be taken by every member of the church who reads. $1.50 a year. ONE OP ZION'S NOTABLE DI VINES IN BALTIMORE. BY BBV. J. W. SMITH. was with us last Sunday and preached two rousing sermons. He is large, heavily built, dark complexion and weighs 225 pounds. His preaching is jprecise, clear, strong and very impress-, jive. He has a peculiar way of ex pressing truth that will make one re member it always. i Rev. Green is one of those God jcalled, neaven-sent ministers and has successful m adding to Zion, in last two years, three brick church es valued at fggyfift—one in Balti more, om^lPaahington and one in ^p|wi,*Id. What is the secret of has success ? Why, living close to the Lord and preaching the pure word of God. He does not preaeh to gain ap plause, but to save souls. He preach es hell and heaven. In his laat Sun day's sermon on “the Punishment of the wicked,” he made Such a deep ; Rev. Nathaniel J. <5reen, pastor of Galbraith Chapel, Washington, I). C., “The text” says Rev. Green, con' cerns the interest of poor unworthy sinners 0/ every age and .clime in its far-sweeping declaration, and strikes with profound consternation the guilty jtssures them that their punishment is ; Sure. The wordeof the text comes | hot from the lips of Christ as burning lava from a volcano. In opening the discussion of this subject, let us con aider: v 1— Who may be considered wicked. 2— The punishment alluded to. 3— Tho truly righteous and their destiny. But who may be considered wicked? They who are opposite to that which may be termed righteous ; having ways repugnant to morality, evil in principle or practice; contrary to the divine law. Says Christ, “These shall go away into everlasting punishment.” Read also Matt, xiii: 41, 42. Forever in the confines of hell, beyond the reach of God’s mercy, blowing the flames of night shall the wicked dwell The rich man in hell would give up the world had he it in his possession, to only receive a small portion of God’s mercy, but there is no mercy, in hell. To be cut off of the privilege of obtain ing the heavenly canaan, is doom without help, hell without bounds, tor ment without measure—everlasting punishment. It would seem an injustice for Christ to punish sinners had he not made provision for their- escape. But He hath died and there is remission, peace and pardon for the wicked; a fountain opened for sin and uneleanness. “God Is angry with the wicked every day.” His wrath is being stirred, and soon “He will pour out His fury upon the wicked.” Hark! I hear his horses prancing in the valley, his chariot wheels are shaking the earth, produc ing earthquakes and cyclones. He is coming! He is coming! I hem: him ooming around the mountain. I see him as he approaches. I feel him drawing nigh. I have read of his ap proach in the Bible. He is coming! and “every eye shall see Him and they who pierced him shall behold him.” He cames with terms to the guilty and peaoe and happiness to the righteous. “Let the wicked forsa, ! his ways, and the unrighteous man Jr|j thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord and to our God for he will abundantly pardon.” Sinner, oome to Jesuswithout delay! Let us notice the punishment allud ed-7r“ererlasting punishment.” Pun ish mentis the execution of the penalty awarded for crime. To be imprisoned is not desirable to any human being. The criminal wreathes beneath the verdiet of a jury when they declare hist guilty of the charge preferred, and-the sentence of the judge shodks hh fery nerve. But here is a world of sinners. The jury has been empanel ed. God the Father is the judge. The inigels are the jury. Jesus Christ is the attorney or advocate pleading at the bar* The criminal is guilty. Christ has been pleading for over 1800 jpsan; Forgive him, O! forgive, he cries, nor let a wretched rebel die. When the Savior stops pleading, then the period of grace will be wound up, and the wicked shall be banished from God’s merciful presence into that gulf which is without bounds ; the place “prepared for the devil and his Cngels.” “The wicked shall he turned into heH with ail the nafions that for get God.” Hell is a pit without bot tom, darkness unceasing, fire un tpfenched, misery without abatement, night without day, weeping and wail ing and gnashing of teeth. Bead II. Peter, ii-4 and Bev. xxi-8. Sinner God’s presence is in hell only to shower down thunderbolts of his wrath Upon the. soul forever. 0 sinner, turn turn,(why will you die? Let us consider the truly righteous agd their destiny—-“but the righteous ICtlLXfretarnal.” The truly righteous are those who are right; having right views, right lives and walks and are not conformed to the world, but are transformed into the image of Christ. Those having the new birth or regen eration of the soul, new creatures in Christ Jesus the Lord, the image of uoa Deing stamped upon me ioreneaa. Their destiny is “life eternal.” While lifted high in our weak imaginatiou and dwelling beyond the sunbeam, wafted by the peaceful winds of God's etherial glory* basking in royal sun light and sheltered ^beneath the can opy of God's stormy heaven, we can but faintly conceiye the bliss and happiness understood in the words— “Vernal life.” I ask what is your conception of the word “life”? What answer have you to my interrogation? 1 assert that life is the opposite ot death; the growth power in nature's garden; the vital spark which pro duces action in the human being. “Eternal life'' is a living duration without bounds; living forever with out an anticipation of death; the an chor cast within the vale, sure and steadfast ; the righteous being “forever with the Lord,” “in. whose presence those in fulness of joy and at whose, right hand are pleasures forevermore.” “There the wicked shall cease troubling and the weary are at rest.” “They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more, neither shall the sun light on .them nor any heat,” ac., Rev. vii: 16,17—xxi: 23; Matt ii-xiii; Isaiah v. Christian, be faithful. Sinner, 1 cannot close without giv ing you another warning. Leave the barren mountains of sin and come home to your God to-day. If you are lost, then you will find that hell is a world of ugly ruins, shrouded in night’s blackest pall, where no cne of the damned has a friend, filled with curs ings and strifes and where all ranks and sexes are herded in one promiscu ous mob with foulest demons, and where every g cave is inhabited with fiends and gnashing ghosts, and on 'whose black crtep the ravens of despair sit and croak, and where God’s eternal justice Mite his burning1 whip and' Remorse lays on with hiafiery thongs—the flashes of whip and thongs will be your only light, world without end. Let us not go there. Ob, let us not go there! ££££ ' Baltimore, Md. ELIJAH IN THE DAYSOFAHAB BY JAMES ED. MASON. Elijah impresses the Bible student in many respects, as next to Moses, the most remarkable man of the Old Testament times. There is a reason why he alone went up 'to heaven in a chariot of fire without passing through the sepulchre’s gate, and why he with Moses should appear on the mount of Transfiguration. He was of all the Hebrew prophets, first and foremost in honor and eminence. ■ Sternly selfdenying, rigidly upright he was faithful to God as needle to pole, and burned with jealous, zealous ardour for Jehovah. About his whole life, character and career there is a sort of rugged sublimity, a moral grandeur that reminds us of the sharp crags of his own carmel that soar into the blue of the sky, Are they ragged or rugged ? they are mantled in the imperial purple of a higher atmos phere that knows no defilement. The fleecy clouds are their ermine, while the sunlight paints their edges with gold and crowns them with its spark ling diadem. un tor more like Jiiijan in tms rnoi atrous and apostate age! He bursts upoifc our view without notice, he dis appears as suddettty by miracle. All along his short career lie moves as the swift-footed messenger of God. In tensely wrapt up in his sublime er rand to pull down idolatrous altars and repair the altar of the Lord which had fallen down. He was a man whose goodness was so commanding as to compel even the most abandon ed and unscrupulous monster of wick edness to respect and fear him. He triumphed over foes, as Joseph did in Egypt and Daniel in Babylon. By the mere power of stainless piety he gathered lustre from reproach and borrowed strength from enemies rout ed. By the ^inherent majesty and authority of goodness he controlled a nation of idolaters. As we study Elijah in the very court of Ahab, we are quite'dumb with amazement. We know not St which we most wonder, the *man at the court who feared God. so that he feared no one else, or the king who, having no piouq fear of God, had a servile fear of everybody else, especially those who were thrice armed because their quarrel was just. That intrepid prophet at court, and that infamous king who tolerated him there, are al most equally historic marvels. Per haps Milton , after all, was more phil osopher than poet when he wrote the words: “Abashed the devil stood, And felt how awful goodness is.” Wicked men, even the worst, can not help a certain respect and fear toward the good. Ahab could not have been ignorant of Obadiah’s fealty to Jehovah. Some of his loyalty how ever, muBt have been under cover of concealment for the very safety of those whom he sought to protect. Yet Ahab respected ana advanced Obadi ah; Put into his hands the keys of the kingdom* for he knew such a man could be trusted. So, only much more so, did the king of Israel, respeot, reverence and fear the grand old seer. In his presence an awe’took possession of him. At his bidding, he found himself strangely swayed as by a su perior will and a stronger hand. So will it ever be. The soldiers who came to seise Jesus, and had him unarmed and helpless before them, “went back* ward,” and in involuntary homage “fell to the ground,” Have we net here a representative and typical inci dent, illustrating the power of simply purity of character to compel respect and repel malicious assault? ■Elijah was one of the brightest of those lights that burn amid the deep darkness of the death-shade of human history. His day was distinguished for general apostasy. Idolatry had multiplied its shrines and forces. Sen suality gave loose and reckless rein to human lusts, so that they trampled with iron hoof over all that most beautiful in character. Persecution laid bare her red arm and would have smitten even the prophets of carmel into the silence of death. Yet, he was faithful, bold, stainless and incorrupt ible. He could neither be bought by bribes nor swayed by threats, and who, like John th Baptist, was a “lamp lighted and huraing,” the court of Ahab being the candlestick where on he stood to bum and shine. Far down the ages pierce the rays from that beaming candle. The gold en gleam, penetrating the gloom of more than twenty-seven centuries, reches even to us. From time to time others have caught and transmitted the prophetic fire. A spark from it alights in Babylon, and Daniel burns in the court of Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar, Darius and Cyrus. An other spark alights in Judea, and John the Baptist Chines m Herod’s court.' And so, still later in history, John ot the “golden month” beams forth in the court of Eudoxia. John Hubs in Bohemia, John de Wycliffe, in Eng land, John Knox in the palace of Mary of Scotts, Luther in Saxony, John Calvin in Geneva, Savonarola in Italy, and who shall say how many heroes and martyrs have caught inspi ration and enthusiasm from the faith and the courage of the old Israelite ot Carmel ? Here is the time “apostolic succession,” when light after lignt keep up through the ages the undying radiance of unholy testimony to the truth and to God. . Let the candle of Carmel kindle us to a holy flame. It bids us let our light shine, clear, bright and afar. Whatever be our social position, what ever eminence or prominence God may give, let it be only the golden candle stick from which our light radiates the father. Hell's beat may conspire to put it out, but God will keep if shin ing. Even martyr-flames shall tujfn to a testimony, with tongues ot flame proclaiming the unutterable allegiance of the deciple to his Lord. Jthaca, N. Y. FROM GREENSBORO, N, C. Mr. Editor: We are pleased to witness the peace and harmony that infuse the entire Statesville District. The interests of the church are being rapidly developed by each pastor of the District The tandard of the connection is being rapidly raised, and the interest due to each deparment—the Bishops, Zion Wesley College, the Star and others properly developed. As the minis ters regard and esteem the Bishops, so will the people regard and esteem us. As we regard and care fbr the inter ests of the Bishops, so will «ach de partment of the church be regarded and cared for. These interests are inseparable. We are a staunch republican, and say to every republican to be careful how you enter into an) other party. We should reorganize and not leave the party because of our defeat. Prin ciples are eternal, while parties change. Let us stick to our principles. H. Williams.
The Star of Zion (Charlotte, N.C.)
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April 24, 1885, edition 1
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