←1703
←1703
A plan to engage the interest of older lads and young men, on Sunday evenings, was successfully tried in a large sphere. All who could read well were invited without limitation of age. The classes were divided with as much regard as possible to age; the Minister himself took the first and largest class. About an hour was spent in repeating a portion of Scripture which had been selected on the preceding Sunday, and which the teachers explained in the individual classes, requiring the lads to bring their own parallels as evidence of their diligent study and interest. There was no compulsion. The lessons were set before them as subjects of interest, rather than as a task and duty. In the next division of time, the whole school was arranged before the Minister, who questioned, illustrated, and applied the subject which had been set before them in their classes; requiring an answer of Scripture proof, sometimes from a lad, sometimes from a class, sometimes from the whole school. A short sketch of Christian Biography or serious address was then given (unless, as was sometimes the case, the interest of the catechetical subject employed the whole time); the subject for the ensuing Sunday was made known, and singing and prayer ended the evening. The attendance of the lads was regular and voluntary. A bond of union was cemented with their Minister and with each other. The power of restraint was extensively felt; and in many cases a permanent and practical influence was manifested.