Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-06-11


| this l mean more than a familiarity
which will enable one to quote texts
readily; that is good as far as II goes,
but 1t does not go far enough. The
| teacher should know something of the
Bible as book; he should possess a
knowledge of its structure; Of its mar
velous history, its authority, Its lands,
its biography, its institutions, its man.
ners and customs, its general princi-
pies of doctrine; and more than all
else, he should have a living expert
ence of its energizing spirit 1 am not
saying that one should take theo-
logical course, or something equiva-
lent to It, before he Is prepared to
teach; I do not believe that such is
necessary even 1t were feasible; but I
am insisting upon the fact that no
good teacher can be guaranteed with
out a proper mental and spiritual
grasp on the great Book from which
all the lessons are drawn. Therefore
of all the training given the teacher a
knowledge Of the Bible should be re-
garded as pre-eminent.
(b) The second thing the teacher
needs to understand Is the work In
which he is engaged. He should have
clear conception Of what the Sabbath
school is what its ideals are. what 1t
proposes to accomplish, how 1t should
be organized, managed and equipped
He show know something of the quail
ifications necessary for successful
teaching, how to prepare the lesson,
how to ask questions. how employ to
best advantage illustrations and how
to make applications. He should also
have some knowledge Of the pupil,
how to interest and hold attention: OF
these and a hundred other subjects
concerning his work the teacher needs
a larger knowledge.
Ill This brings us to the very
practical question, How are the aver
age teachers to be induced to equip
themselves along the lines indicatedY
Like many other questions this one
is easier asked than answered. In at
tempting to dispose Of 1t, however,
feel there are at least few things set
tied, one of which is, the training must
be carried directly to them in the 10
cal school. The necessary training and
discipline needed for this exalted work
requires time and repetition under
suitable supervision; 1t cannot be had
from a single lecture, no matter how
full of thought and suggestion, or from
a conference or convention however
rich the feast. Very few teachers can
leave their homes and business to take
a course Of training, though the course
be a very short one: the majority OF
them do not, and cannot attend con-
ventions such as is being held here to-
day. And I might go little further
and say that those who need training
most are the very ones most unlikely
to attend the conventions and other
places of instruction. What Is to be
done? There seems to be but one an
swer to the question, and that Is for the
pastor or superintendent to organize
and maintain normal classes In the To-
cal school. I say classes" for there
should be at least two in every school;
one to be composed Of those now en-
gagged in teaching, and the other OF
prospective teachers. The class OF
active teachers can arrange to hold
their meetings at an hour during the
week, while the class Of prospective
teachers can meet during the regular
Sabbath school hour. AS to the prop
er textbook I would refer you o your
denominational publishing house. The
Associate Reformed Presbyterian
church, which I have the no nor to
represent, In common with five other
PRESBYTERIAN bodies, use the Westmin-
ster Teacher Training Course, and a
most excellent one 1t Is.
But, says some one, Fhe class laea
may be a good one, but / do not be-
lieye II will work in our school; there
Is no demand for such a course with
us, our teachers are busy with other
affairs and will not devote the neces-
sary time to it. What are we to do?"
AS this condition prevails In more
schools than one this objection has be-
come a popular one. But instead or
this being an addition to the problem,
it seems to me, to furnish clue to the
solution Of the whole question, at
least it indicates very clearly where
we are to begin. The mere fact that
so many teachers are not willing just
now to make even a little sacrifice OF
time and convenience to take this
course points conclusively to the fact
that the first preliminary but neces-
sary step in the formation Of normal
classes in the local school Is the crea-
ton of suitable atmosphere. BY this
| mean, by general agitation and in
struction we are to lead our teachers,
and those who are to become such, up
to the point where they will feel that
it would not only be beneficial but alb
solutely essential to the success or
their work to have these classes. First
then begin a campaign Of agitation
Nothing will be done until the people
want 1t done, and they are not likely
to want 1t done until they know some
thing about it and are interested In 1t.
II Is no small part of our duty as the
leaders Of the Sabbath school forces to
wake up the people, to show them
what ought to be accomplished, TO
overcome their natural inertia, to an
swer opponents and demolish obstruc-
tions presenting themselves In the way
of progress.
We can do this, first Of all, by mag
nifying the work of the school. For
seventy-five or more years the Sab
bath school occupied an inconspicu-
Gus place in the eyes Of the world and
in the work Of the church. She her
self was satisfied with a narrow vision
and a self centred activity. But that
day has almost passed away and the
Sabbath school Is rapidly coming TO
the front to claim her rightful place
as one Of the most powerful agencies
for good in the world. Everywhere
she is catching the vision OF
"The Greater Sabbath School," and
is sweeping on to glorious victory.
When we consider her aims, ideals and
opportunity we cannot overstate her
| worth or exaggerate her Importance.
| In the United States and Canada near
ly fifteen millions of people are en-
rolled under her banner, and these,
joined hands with their brothers and
sisters in other lands, present to the
world the biggest and best and most
| DONeTl etulppSu Nios ''SN-'
ever been marshalled under the folds Of
single banner She goes forth to bat
tie in the name of our God, clad In His
armor and bearing in her hand as her
weapon the sword of the Spirit which
| is the word of God. When once we
can get the teachers to see the vision
they will recognize something of the
urgency. greatness and importance OF
| the work in which they are engaged
and will clamOr for adequate training
to meet the demands Of the hour.
| And in the second place we need
to magnify the office of the teacher.
Heretofore we have not been placing
a just and proper estimate upon this
position in the church; the teachers
themselves often fail to realize any
thing like adequately the dignity and
| Importance of their position. DR..
Charles f. Jefferson. in his book. The
New Crusade, says: with this larger
conception OF the Bible school we are
going TO give a new dignity to teach
ers, they are going to be recognized
more and more as the ministers
of the Lord. ordained for a divine