The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-04-09
ECCLESIASTICAL COLUMN.
Rev. S. NJ Engle. pastor Presbyterian church
Editor
Essentials of Teaching.

hoi0 "iO many qudlluCdClOns
that enter into the composition of a
successful teacher, but there are
those that according to the best
judges, are absolutely necessary.
The key word of each qualification
is 6nOwledqe. knowledge of N
what, (2) knowledge of whom, Isl
and knowledge of how to teach,
That these three qualifications as to
knowledge are necessary will appear
from a proper definition of teaching
Teaching consists in the arousing
in the mind of the pupil those
intellectual acts that result in his
acquisition of knowledge. DR.,
Trumbull defines teaching more
simply, but less exactly, by saying,
Teaching is causing to know"
Now to cause another to have any
definite knowledge, it is of course
essential that the teacher shall first
possess it himself. He cannot give
what he has not. Hence the scrip
ture in commenting upon this sub
lect lnterrogates, "Can the blind
lead the blind? Shall they not both
fall into the ditch?' Exceptions
to this rule are only apparent, In
case the pupil acquires knowledge
under a stupid or unprepared
teacher, the credit is due the pupils
study and thought alone. Prepa
ration therefore to meet ones class
involves very much. In the Sunday
school lesson are involved not only
the understanding of the lessons
correct meaning with its doctrinal
points and the practical application
of the truths taught, but questions
also of geography, needing maps,
and questions of chronology and
archaeology, requiring a good bible
dictionary and exposition. A plan
of study then becomes necessary in
the preparation; a flexible plan, to
guide to creditable understanding
Of the lesson and its surroundings.
As such Il guide some have
adopted the five w's-initial letters
of where, when, what, whom and
why. He that has satisfied credit
ably the requirements of the five
VS. with reference to his subject
will be prepared to meet his class IN
so far as the knowledge of his lesson
is concerned. Certainly every COP
Sciencious teacher should aim at no
less. In this classification of his
information, the wise teacher will
recall the Individual characteristics
of his pupils that he may store up
something especial for each. To
give exactness to the preparation it
is well to put in writing an outline
of the work-this outline not to be
used in teaching, but only to be
helpful in fixing it exactly in the
teachers mind. Such preparation
presupposes the possession of a good
teachers bible such as the Oxford,
and with the addition of some
good bible dictionary such as
Schoff's, and a Sunday school help
in exposition, the teacher will be
armed.
2. Next ia Importance is the
teachers knowledge of whom he is
to teach. The pupils degree of
characteristics of mind
and heart, and home surroundings
must be known. Coleridge says,
ITO cause one to comprehend our
knowledge, we must comprehend
his ignorance" The class as a
whole may appear to belong to the
genus pier, but a closer acQuaint-
arce with the boys may reveal
characteristics Of that anthropoi-
dean quadrumanous mammal that
gives color to DR.. Woodrow's theo-
ries. Boys differ also in attain
ments. One that loves to study or
taught much at home is certainly
not to be dealt with in the same
as his opposite. They diff
fer, too, in character. The swearer
and the reyerent, the tippler and
the temperate, the kindly and the
are not to be reached in the
same manner. A wise Philadel-
phlan aptly compares individual |
learners with different metals. Gold |
cannot be worked like iron, or lead |
as brass. What will succeed with
one will destroy the other. So with
the child. whether in the home or
in school. Now the effort to ac-
quire this knowledge Of the pupil |
requires care and attention worthy
Of a true teacher, and only such
greatly succeed.
8, OF equal importance is the
teachers knowledge of HOW to
teach. The teacher may have
knowledge Of both lesson and pu-
pill, but unless he can bring the two
into contact, his knowledge does
not benefit the pupils, Like Tan
tulus the thirsty, standing in water
to his lips, and with the impossi-