IV.

Ways and Means.

E said there was a great difference in the children who come to be taught-there

is also a great difference in the teachers. There are some who are born teachers; there are others who acquire the art by great diligence and perseverance; there are others who, from the lack of these qualities, or from natural unfittedness, never actually teach at all.

To the first of these, all connected with their work is a pleasure and joy to them; to the second, also, it is a work to be highly estimated and persevered in; while to the last it never proves anything but a drudgery.

Lately I heard a pastor soliciting help for his Sunday schools, where teachers were short. He

said, "Those of you who feel anxious for the good of the little ones, and who have time at your command, should come forward and engage in this blessed work."

Now, I could not agree with him—for surely it needs more than anxiety and time to make a teacher.

And remember, in saying this I am not taking such teacher into consideration at all, I do feel most certainly that to go with little love to children naturally, and still less power of attracting them, or interesting them, and to shut up one's self for one hour or two hours on God's rest day, in order to make an effort for their good, is a kind of martyrdom that no man ought to endure or inflict. But setting this aside, the one aim of all teaching, namely, the good of the child, is altogether lost sight of if the teacher is "not up to the work.”

You know it is so. You may not have had very long experience, but as a child you learned

this much. Some teachers came to your class, perhaps; there was no attempt at disorder, or irreverence, or idleness on the part of the children, no visible effort on the part of the teacher. Yet the lesson was given, the tasks learned, the truths impressed and carried home.

But others came, and there was with the same children rebellion, levity, insubordination.

No

good was done-scarcely any attempted-the children departed with relief and the teacher with disappointment.

This kind of thing is happening now, over and over, both in our day and Sunday schools. It is a sad thing. Schools are established for the good of the little ones, and inefficient, incapable teachers have not the power to bring about that good.

'Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given unto us, let him that teacheth wait on teaching."

"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another.”

"There are diversities of gifts."

Those of us who are gifted with teaching power must employ our talent for the Lord's service. And those of us who, by training or acquirement, feel ourselves competent for this work, can do no less than join their ranks; but if we have no gift for it, or if we have not been specially qualified for it, we had better let it alone altogether.

Remember, too, the sum and substance of our qualifications-love-sincerity. Love to the children-all unselfish and entire. Sincerity in the truths taught both by faith and practice. You may have the latter, but what about the love?

How do you feel about your work? Why did you choose it? If your heart is full of tenderness for the little ones, and full of earnest zeal to make known to them the truths so precious to yourselves, then your work must be blessed. One of our great educators, after speaking of plans and methods to be used by teachers, says: And when you have done all else, 'pray for the

children." Nay, rather, before we do anything, let us pray for them. Pray that their knowledge may be useful to them, and that God's truth may be sown in their hearts. Pray for this one or that one especially. Seek to get His aid in every case of difficulty or anxiety,-He, who never can fail us in wisdom, or strength, or judgment, He only can rectify mistakes and prevent errors.

God knows every child better than we know them their difficulties and temperament are before Him always; but for our own sakes let us spread the case of each one before Him. None but those who have tried it can tell how much comfort we gain in being exact as to the details of our needs. It does us good to tell an earthly friend every little item in the matter which makes us anxious.

"Have you no words? Ah, think again,
Words flow apace when you complain,
And fill your fellow-creature's ear

With the sad tale of all your care."