Of all the features of an education to
be given in our school homes the religious exercises are the
most important. They should be treated with the greatest solemnity
and reverence, yet all the pleasantness possible should be brought
into them. They should not be prolonged till they become wearisome,
for the impression thus made upon the minds of the youth will
cause them to associate religion with all that is dry and uninteresting;
and many will be led to cast their influence on the side of the
enemy, who, if properly taught, would become a blessing to the
world and to the church. The Sabbath meetings, the morning and
evening service in the home and in the chapel, unless wisely
planned and vitalized by the Spirit of
God, may become the most formal, unpleasant, unattractive, and
to the youth the most burdensome, of all the school exercises.
The social meetings and all other religious exercises should
be so planned and managed that they will be not only profitable,
but so pleasant as to be positively attractive. Praying together
will bind hearts to God in bonds that will endure; confessing
Christ openly and bravely, exhibiting in our characters His meekness,
humility, and love, will charm others with the beauty of holiness.
On all these occasions Christ should be
set forth as "the chiefest among ten thousand," the
One "altogether lovely." Song of Solomon 5:10, 16.
He should be presented as the Source of all true pleasure and
satisfaction, the Giver of every good and perfect gift, the Author
of every blessing, the One in whom all our hopes of eternal life
are centered. In every religious exercise let the love of God
and the joy of the Christian experience appear in their true
beauty. Present the Saviour as the restorer from every effect
of sin.
To accomplish this result all narrowness
must be avoided. Sincere, earnest, heartfelt devotion will be
needed. Ardent, active piety in the teachers will be essential.
But there is power for us if we will have it. There is grace
for us if we will appreciate it. The Holy Spirit is waiting our
demand if we will only demand it with that intensity of purpose
which is proportionate to the value of the object we seek. Angels
of heaven are taking notice of all our work and are watching
to see how they can so minister to each one that he will reflect
the likeness of Christ in character and become conformed to the
divine image. When those in charge of our school homes appreciate
the privileges and opportunities placed within their reach, they
will do a work for God of which heaven will approve.