The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1905-04-19

The responsibilities connected with
teaching in Sunday school are 80
great that we can only open the SUBJ
iect and leave the discussion to the
brethren. An eminent Baptist re.
Gently said that the feminine pro-
noun is properly used in speaking OF
the Sunday school teacher. Follow
ing his suggestion We use the feml-
nine pronoup, but what is said IS
equally applicable to both men and
women.
How many and grave are the re-
sponsibillities of the mother in whose
hands the child receives it's earliest
impressiops? There are many others
whose responsibilities are almost as
great, among whom is the Sunday
school teacher.
The teacher should have a true
concept of what is needful that she
may teach effectively the truths OF
the Bible. She is training, mould
ing for eternity, for in man is the
spirit chat never dies. In addition
TO having a knowledge of the Bible
the teacher must be unselisb, cheer
full, ever happy, sympathetic and
filed with the Holy Spirit. Unself-
isb, for when possible, she must be
present every Sunday, which will
necessitate the giving up of many
pleasure. If self is not entirely con-
quered, though she is present, che
will appear to be making a sacrifice
which will not have an influence Tor
good on her class. Cheerful; that
while feeling the grave responsible
ties of ber Office and knowing the
sins aud temptations that surround
her class, she will SEQ for them bright
futures only. Happy; for who, whose
face bears marks of discomfort and
unhappiness, can teach much of the
love and beautyof God? Sympathe.
tic; how lasting the impression made
BY kind hand, sympathetic worc!
How near the teacher seems to the one
who feels that she takes personal
interest in him! The more thorough
and systematic the knowledge OF the
Bible the better she can teach it as
whole, but she realizes the depths OF
influence, has unbounded faith IN
Gods ability to do what he promises
and in Jesus as her Saviour, and has
grssped the truth of the fullness OF
the world wide love of Christ, she is
competent to teach in Sunday school
and eternity alone will reveal the
success. Filled with the Holy Spirit;
for all efforts will be in vain ex-
cept when blessed by the Spirit. No
one can lead closer to Jesus than be
himself is, therefore, the teacher
should live near to God and commune
with him. It is great privilege to
ask him daily to bless each OF her
class.
It is the teachers duty to present
our Saviour's life mission so clearly,
his personal interest in each so plain
ly and his pure and unselfish love
for each 80 forcibiy that lasting i'm
pressions will be made. Everyone
who has heard of Jesus has kind OF
faith, though it may be little and
weak. Great care must be exercised
that the faith be not shaken, but
strengthened that a stalnch, strong
structure will arise to- glority his
name.
It is the teachers duty to study
the individuality and character of
each that she may know the personal
needs and bring the message so near
that each can grasp it's truths and
assimilate its spirit. It is the soul
that must be won for Christ. The
younger the child when self is sur
rendered the easier and better the
fight through life against Satan. The
older ones who attend Sunday school
want to learn more Of Jesus; their
faith must be strengthened. They
are preparing for the joyful entrance;
they must be relieved of soul burd-
ems. What answer can be who
stands before them give if he neglect
such important duties?
Selfshness, one of the strongest
sins man has to fight, is great him
derance to the cause of Christ. It
makes one think he is doing service
when he has done nothing. There
fore, from the class of little ones to
the class Of old men, the teacher
must try to uproot this evil, must
try to develop instead an unsel6sh
spirit, great love for humanity, a
deep reverence and love for Christ.
! What is there in selfish man that
uplifts himself, his community or his
church? On the other hand self re-
spect keeps men far from sin; incul-
cate self respect from earlist child
hood. The Bible teaches it. The
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