Chapter Viii. Miscellaneous.
CHAPTER VIII. MISCELLANEOUS. 1944
A few particulars which have not previously found a place in our work now, may now be specified here, such as—The importance of Adult Schools. These are indeed the complement of the School System.
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It is difficult to retain boys in the weekly school long enough to ground them in the principles of useful instruction. The Sunday School also is left without any other means of preserving the knowledge which they have acquired. The utility of adult schools—as an indefinite continuance of instruction—is therefore of the highest consideration. The knowledge of the word of God is equally valuable to adults as it is to children; while their capacity to understand it (though much hindered by an inability to read) is far greater. Shame indeed will sometimes restrain some from stooping to the first elements of instruction; yet on the other hand, experience even of the temporal disadvantages of ignorance (where the spiritual deprivations are not apprehended) supplies a constant stimulus for exertion. Here is useful employment for helpers, though some ministerial superintendence will usually be needed. The smallness of numbers must not discourage. It is a great matter to persuade a person in the middle or decline of life, that in commencing his alphabet, he may be able by a few months of patient application, to read his Testament. In a village, therefore, sometimes only a few may be found willing to attend. But an assembly of three or four is well worth our regular pains. If sufficient numbers of different ages can be collected to form into classes, the lads and adults should, as far as possible, be separated. The Scripture lessons will furnish an interesting course of questioning and personal application. Where confidence has been gained, and opportunities are favourable, a Sunday class might be formed for more direct instruction, either between the hours of service, or at any more convenient time of day. Employment of this leisure hour for spiritual instruction (which otherwise might have been spent in idleness or sin), and the advantage to the domestic economy from a more intelligent acquaintance with relative duties and obligations, render this system particularly important. The general success, especially where the love of the sacred volume is the principle of perseverance, is highly encouraging. Many, whose scanty knowledge of its contents had flowed from the uncertain kindness of others, have thus found an immediate and most happy access to this unsearchable treasure.1945
A Parochial Library, where practicable, is an excellent appendage to the Pastoral system. The capacity to read, communicated to old and young, lays on us a weighty responsibility to give a right direction to this new medium of intelligence.
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Otherwise it will become a channel of vain curiosity and idleness—probably also of infidelity and sin—a field for the agency of Satan, rather than for Christian usefulness. ‘But’ (as Mr. Newton observed) ‘one proposes to fill a bushel with tares; now if I can fill it first with wheat, I shall defy his attempts.’ Therefore, a store of valuable instruction, adapted to the different gradations of intelligence and seriousness, would be a useful preservative from deleterious poison, and an excitement of profitable interest. With the admission of a few works of general information, the complexion of the library should, however, be distinctly evangelical, practical, and popular—formed on the basis of the Divine aphorism—“One thing is necessary.” 1946 A payment of a penny, or at most of two-pence, a quarter, would not be felt by the poorest of our people: while it would give them a sort of interesting property in it, and accumulate a trifling fund for fresh additions to the catalogue, which should be made widely known. A ledger should be kept for entering the names of the books and subscribers, and of the period when their subscriptions become due or are paid. The times of exchange and distribution, and the limit of borrowing the books, should be definitely fixed and strictly observed. Sunday distribution is objectionable; besides the time employed in the arrangements, it would be the means of circulating works of too light a cast for Sabbath edification, as well as others which may be excellent in their kind, but are unsuitable to the sacredness of that holy day. The books, well covered with brown paper, will sustain for a considerable time the rough handling to which they will be exposed; while a fine should be exacted for injury or loss, as well as for borrowing unreasonably beyond the fixed bounds.
The advantages also of Cottage Readings must not be omitted in this detail. Our Lord’s public Ministry extended beyond the precincts of the synagogue, to every concourse of people. Familiar opportunities for collective instruction are therefore in strict conformity with the spirit of this example. In every parish, bodily infirmity or other causes exclude many from the sphere of the pulpit Ministry who need, not merely general or individual conversations on spiritual subjects, but distinct expositions of the word of God. This free and popular instruction—scarcely consistent with the dignity of the pulpit—gives a powerful excitement to the unintelligent mind. ‘No one’ (as has been justly observed by a most competent judge) ‘but those accustomed to question the
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poor, or to be questioned by them, can form an idea of what, by way of explanation, they require. It is not only “line upon line, and precept upon precept” they need; but it is almost word by word, and letter by letter.’ 1947 This mode of Ministry will allow considerable diversity of application. The catechetical form has been found well adapted to an advanced state of knowledge or mutual confidence. In a less matured state, exercises in the sacred field—proposing subjects for successive readings, and illustrating them by Scripture parallels, have proved interesting and instructive. In more ordinary cases, familiar reading and exposition of a course of Scripture (perhaps preferable to unconnected portions), commenced and concluded with prayer, will furnish the plan, and fill up the outlines. The evenings only allow the attendance of men at these meetings. Women (except in the manufacturing districts) may be collected during the day. The time, however, should be fixed with all possible consideration of convenience, and it should be considered on our part as a regular and paramount engagement. One hour of this system includes the work of many hours of individual visitation; while its orderly formality shuts out many interruptions which belong to home visits. Care, however, must be taken that the attending these readings does not compensate for the self-indulgent neglect of the house of God, instead of sharpening the appetite for the Sabbath Ministrations. The freedom of these simple assemblies of the poor (often attended with a special blessing), render them an appropriate work and labour of love for the Minister’s wife. The Sabbath might furnish a useful appendage to them, gathering before the afternoon service in the vestry, or some suitable place, those who, whether from habit, or lack of some employment, come to church half an hour before the service commences. The desire for instruction would induce others to join this little assembly.
“We would mention as the last particular in this lengthened detail, exciting an interest in the promotion of the Redeemer’s kingdom. Missionary and Bible Associations, especially the former, deal much in affecting and encouraging facts; though in the latter case it too frequently happens (unless the claims of the heathen are strongly pressed) that the subscription proceeds no further than the purchase of a good Bible at a cheap cost. The principles of these Associations are the imparting of interesting information, and the inculcating of evangelical motives. For the former, the monthly publications of the Societies will furnish ample
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materials. The latter will be drawn in rich abundance from the word of God:—the positive command of Christ 1948—his dying love—the value and perishing condition of the soul—the nearness of eternity—the “sure word of prophecy,” as indicative of the purposes of God respecting his church—and the high privilege of being “fellow-workers with him”—these are motives of powerful constraint. The regularity of the system should be introduced as far as possible into these Associations, especially in the collecting department;—which generally should be managed weekly, or monthly at most, and used as a medium for distributing information, and maintaining the tone of interest.1949 Monthly, or at least quarterly meetings, must be considered a component part of the system. Singing, prayer, select reading from the best sources of information—personal application and the excitement grounded on it—concluding with Scripture reading or exposition, and prayer, will assemble our people with much advantage to themselves, as well as with effective influence on the cause of Christ.1950
The elements of vital religion are cherished in these institutions:—in the subjugation of the natural selfishness to that “charity, which does not seek her own;” in the awakened spirit of self-denial, pity, and intercession; and in a deepened sense of privileges, obligations, and responsibilities;—so that the offering cast into the sacred treasury (though by no means to be despised) constitutes only a small proportion of the benefit derived. And thus the endeavour to diffuse the Gospel abroad is closely connected with its enlarged blessing at home.
In concluding this extended Pastoral survey, the Writer would guard against attaching too much to the mere mechanism of the work, and would strongly insist that, whatever may be our diligence in this department, we can only be blessed as we are faithful in delivering the whole message of God, according to the light given to us. He would, however, at the same time express his strong conviction, that the combination of Pastoral labour with the full exhibition of a Scriptural Ministry, is the medium through which the Spirit of God will produce an extension of true religion among us which, for explicitness, durability, and consistency, will endure the day of trial, and cause even the enemies of the Gospel to “see, and know, and
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consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, and that the Holy One of Israel has created it.” 1951
It is not, however, an exclusive interest in any department that is recommended, but a combined regard and concentrated attention to the whole work; making it our study and prayer, that we not be inwardly satisfied without earnest longings, and constant advance towards, the full Scriptural standard. In every department, we may confidently expect that our labours will be instrumentally blessed wherever faith is the principle and prayer is the spirit of our work; and where the moving principle is acted out in self-denial, diligence, simplicity, and perseverance. Indeed, we must not allow our energies to stagnate. We must always on be watch to make use of fresh openings for enlarging our work, and ready to apply and appropriate every instrument that can be made to subserve it. But with all this, we must be careful not to attempt too many plans at once—not more than we have a reasonable hope of sustaining; and especially not more than is consistent with a primary devotedness to communion with God, and preparation for our public work. Yet by regularity;—doing one thing at a time; allowing a pause by short exercises, and by such prudence as is consistent with zeal; not letting a variety of exercises carry us beyond our strength;—much more may be done than is commonly imagined.
EN TOYTOIE ISQI.—1Tim. 4.15.1952