Article June 10, 1950 Issue

DO YOU WANT TO BE A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER?

HARRIET TAYLOR

When assigned to teach violin to a group of elementary school youngsters by the supervisor of music in the college she was attending, a Christian Scientist was very fearful. She felt that her shyness in meeting people would keep her from putting across to the students the simple elements of violin playing. She also was afraid that she might be a failure at teaching and might not be liked by the students.

Much thought was given to the problem by the Christian Scientist, and a plan of action was decided upon. Her plan consisted of two simple parts: first, she endeavored to behold the true concept of man, the spiritual reflection of God, as Jesus did; secondly, she tried to bring to her teaching the spiritual energy and freshness that characterize true joy. Knowing that the offspring of God is forever reflecting the divine intelligence of infinite Mind, she kept uppermost in her thought the truth that God's reflection can never for a moment be retarded, slow, or unprogressive.

When the Scientist realized that God is the only teacher, and that because He is the source of all intelligence, man, His reflection, needs no cultivation, she was healed of a false sense of responsibility that had brought a feeling of fear and self-consciousness. Further freedom was gained when she understood that what was necessary in her teaching was joyful giving based on the perception of God as Love and of man's capabilities as His reflection. She saw that joyful giving of her understanding and love of music would be reflected and expressed in the joyful giving of interest and enthusiasm on the part of her students.

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