Article September 7, 1912 Issue

USEFUL LESSONS

META V. VIRTUE.

That childhood and youth are periods of mental as well as physical growth, is a commonly conceded fact. It is therefore the sacred duty of parents and teachers so to use and foster the opportunities of circumstance and environment that this growth may go forward in the right direction. We read of the youth of Jesus that "the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." Then the incident of Jesus' presence in the temple is recorded, when "all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers." Still farther on we read: "Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man."

With the Hebrew people all learning centered in the study of the Scriptures. In the writings of the prophets was contained the hope of Israel, the promise of the Messiah who was to liberate the people of God. That Jesus had studied the Scriptures in the light of Truth is shown by the incident in the temple recorded by Luke. Here Jesus recognized God as his Father, and the impelling motive of his life is even then expressed in the question to Mary: "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" This holy purpose of his life was manifested ever after in his healing ministry, in words and deeds of love, of meekness, of humility, of compassion, of trust in the Father. It was never shaken by circumstances or human hatred, and it triumphed over death and the grave, even unto the glory which he had "from the beginning."

No one will doubt that the record of such a childhood is worthy of our highest reverence, and that early to give our children right concepts becomes our sacred duty. On these right concepts of God, of man, of the divine law of Love, will depend in later years their health, their happiness, their moral status. It is therefore a wise rule to use in our Sunday school work the three great fundamental subjects of provided by our divinely guided Leader, namely, the ten commandments, the Lord's Prayer with its spiritual interpretation, and the beatitudes. Each one of the three topics treats of man's relation to God and of his relation to his fellow man. With the teacher rests the presentation of these subjects, and while it is comparatively easy to have little children learn things, the wise teacher will take a larger view of her task and bring her subject to bear directly on the character of her pupils. To let a child declare his views sometimes is helpful in aiding the teacher to correct false notions or to detect the special way in which a certain child needs help. To make a child feel that he must say what he truly thinks, not simply repeat what he has learned, is teaching of the right sort.

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