Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1889-07-08


perhaps. The ordinary teacher wi
not have the time, taste nor scholar
ship to attend to them much proba
bly,. But every teacher ought to b
a student as far as ability, time AM
means will allow. Paul exhorte'
Timothy to study. Our Saviour ha
said to us all, ssSearch the Scrip
lures"
| consider it a prime necessity il
preparing for the class that the teach
er attend the teachers meeting. Thi
is altogether too much neglected b.
teachers. But my observation con
vinces me that the best teachers, are
as a class, those who do attend these
meetings. There is much to be learn
ed in them. The conversational form
which the meeting takes and the ques
tons asked, naturally awaken the
mind and put it into an active, en-
quiring condition. Then at such g
meeting there is good chance tc
correct mistakes. Also how pleas
ant and profitable to compare the
method of one teacher with another
as to finding out and grasping the
ideas of the lesson. What good
opportunity also to talk about the
general prospects of the school and
the management of particular classes.
Here can be discussed the mer-
its or dement's of the lesson papers,
and whether a change is advisable.
How a young teacher will improve by
the talk, suggestions and general in
fiuence of such a meeting: And |
have noticed that the more teachers
of the right disposition 60 to these
meetings the more they like to go.
The meeting is always opened with
PRAYER and in that there is help to-
wards a true spirit in studying and
teaching the holy and saving Word.
Let every teacher, whether just be-
ginning the work or for long time
in it, make it point to be at every
session of the teachers meeting.
have found it profitable to make this
meeting movable and hold it in turn
at the different teachers houses.
But nothing must supersede the
personal searching Of the Scriptures
on the part of the teacher. Some
study papers and books relating to
the Bible ever so much but give COM
paratively little time and attention to
the Bible itself. But it is necessary
to study in it more than about it.
l recall the story of n man, perhaps
he was a notable teacher in some
Sunday School, who on being asked
the name of Moses father could only
reply by quoting what Milton said
about the s'potent rod of Amram S
son. Now we ought to know what
there is in the Bible from a study of
the Bible itself. We ought to have
a direct acquaintance with the Word.
In the times of our Saviour the Jews
were forever discussing the laws and
commandments of God, but instead
of quoting the commandments them
selves, and being filled with their
spirit, the talk ran thus: "Rabbi
Hillel says that such passage means
s9 apd cS Sat bat RaabRPi f Shamamhad scr
Traditions about the meaning of the
Word had more influence than the
Word itself. Our Saviour condemn
ed this tradition-making and tradi-
tion-holding custom, saying, ''Thus
do We make the Word of God Of none
effect by your tradition Too much
commentary spells the Bible. The
letter killeth, bue the spirit giveth
life. The first question with US in
studying the lesson should be, what
does God himself says in the text?
Mans help may be useful, Gods say
ings are indispensable. The Bible
first, commentaries afterwards.
Scripture should be compared with
Scripture, and thus by diligent perus-
al of its contents, and memory well
stored with its history, biography,
and incidents, what numerous and
excellent illustrations may be drawn
from it. How useful to trace proph-
ecy to its fulfillment; how interesting
to be able to see the connection of
part with part. The more the Bible
is thoroughly known the less will it's
alleged discrepancies trouble any
body. The whole Bible should be
There are, it is to be fear
ed, many teachers who do not esti-
mate some portions of the Bible at
their true value. Some pass over
The historical portions; others do
not appreciate the psalms as they
should and others still scarcely ever
'ead private y, and for purposes of
ievotion, Ecclesiastes, the Song of
Solomon or the Apocalypse. But
10 take hold of one part of the Bible
is to touch on all the rest.
Take the SIS. lesson on any particular
Sunday and study it extensively in
he Bible before using any outside
helps, and it will be found that the
references and suggestions of it, the
doctrines embodied in it, the spirit
t inculcates, glance here and there,
through nearly, if not all the rest of
he book. 1t is therefore the first
business of the teacher to know what
he Lord himself has said in fulness
lpon the subject of the lesson. The
;eacher should know the mind of the
Shirt uDOn the theme Mans wis