My dear readers,

1. A timely word of warning on its 2nd centenary

SUNDAY SCHOOL – GLORY and DECLINE

(Dr SH Tow, Reformation Banner March-April 1980)

While most of us have grown up in Sunday School, few are aware that the institution originated in England more than 200 years ago. Robert Raikes, a "solid citizen" of Gloucester, moved with concern and compassion for the lack of education and Bible knowledge among young people, founded the Sunday School movement in 1790. This was received with instant acclaim and its immense popularity may be seen in its phenomenal growth to 200,000 young people within six years.

Many of us cherish fond memories of Sunday School days. Dedicated teachers who first led us in the pathway of salvation will long be remembered. God has signally blessed this ministry of the Word, especially among children and young people. Today, wherever the Bible is faithfully taught as the Word of Life, we witness a sustained growth of the movement in many lands scattered throughout the whole wide earth.

Ironically, in England, the birthplace of the Sunday School, there has been a steady decline of the movement since the end of World War II. This reflects the nation’s departure from the historic Christian faith for the social gospel and into the fold of materialistic socialism. Church-going has become a meaningless formalism. Church rolls have fallen year by year, churches folding up by the hundreds for lack of support, and with this trend came the plunge in Sunday School attendance.

Today, Britain’s Sunday Schools are in crisis. Masses of pastors, priests and theologians have long forsaken the Word for "another gospel." They have forsaken the Lord and gone a whoring after other gods. They have become "shepherds that cannot understand." (Isa 56:11)

Hear the Word of God: "Wherefore I will yet plead with you, saith the LORD, and with your children’s children will I plead … Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit. Be astonished, O ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord. For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." (Jer 2:9, 11-13)

Let all our pastors and Sunday School teachers take heed. Hitherto, we have held fast to God’s eternal and infallible Word. Today, the Word is being assailed from all quarters by every wile of the devil. More and more we witness men of God capitulating and compromising. But let not the epidemic of unbelief infect our ranks. Stand fast! Quit ye like men, my brethren! Let us hold fast the Word and continue to declare it against every foul wind of change and unbelief.

"For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven … The word of the Lord endureth for ever." (Psa 119:89, 1 Pet 1:25)

2. A word to Sunday School teachers

ENCOURAGE, NOT PUNISH

(Dr SH Tow, Reformation Banner May-June 1980)

MUMMY, I am not going to Sunday School today. Please let me stay at home," plead­ed Ian, with tears in his eyes.

"But why? You used to love going to Sunday School these past two years." Mum tried her best to coax her little boy, but to no avail. She was at a loss. Ian had always looked forward to Sunday School. Each Saturday night he would assemble his Bible and Sunday School books, in readiness for the next morning. It was with happy expectation that he waited for the return of Sunday School.

For three successive Sundays, Ian stayed at home, away from the Sunday School that he loved. But he did not neglect his Bible Lessons and prayers each day, Mum ob­served. What was keeping Ian from joining his friends on Sundays? There must be something troubling him. Patiently and gently, Mum persisted.

"What is it, Ian? Maybe Mum can help you. Please won't you tell me?" Finally, after much tender pleading, Ian let it out but most reluctantly.

The case of Ian is symptomatic of a common practice of Sunday School teachers applying classroom discipline in Sunday School instead of biblical discipline. In school, teachers may threaten, re­primand or punish. Failure to com­plete assigned homework, talking in class, inattentiveness and other childhood lapses may be singled out for dishonourable mention or pu­nitive action. In school such re­medial and corrective measures are usually right and necessary, al­though it is not always so. Many a child's morale has been shattered at a tender age by some harsh and heartless teacher's methods.

In school, of course, the teacher is immune in his actions (or almost always so), and the poor child suffers in silence, harbouring deep wounds in his soul which may never show up until years later. But he has no choice. In class, the teacher is almighty.

Sunday School is not school. It is better than school. Children have come to find out who Christis. It must not become a place of rowdy behaviour but quiet learning. Teachers must exercise patience and long suffering which are the fruit of the Spirit when they teach. The methods of outside school must not be used unless they are in line with biblical principles. These young ones need love and patient teachers as well as teachers who are firm and know how to discipline lovingly when needed. The Bible cclassroom is a place where Christ is taught and seen in the lives of the teachers.

One day the disciples asked Jesus, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea." (Matt 18:1-6)

"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the Kingdom of heaven." (Matt 19:14)

The Sunday School ministry is a happy and most rewarding ministry. It affords every Sunday School teacher a golden opportunity to lead children to a personal know­ledge of salvation in Jesus Christ. Our Lord has set us the example. With tender arms, He carried them, laid His gentle hands on them, prayed for them, and blessed them. Can we, His servants, do any less.

Precious little lives have been placed inour care. We have sown the Gospel seed. Shall we not fol­low with the water of sympathy and the sunshine of God's love? May we always encourage even as we lovingly discipline.

Readers and fellow Sunday School teachers will be happy to know that through the loving concern of a mother and the wise and timely action of the Sunday School Superintendent, Ian is now back and enjoying Sunday School again.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor