The Problem of the Visitor
The analogy for the class-building of some teachers is the arch. Every
scholar is needed in his place, or the class-work collapses; and of
course there is no room for a visitor. The analogy for the true class
is the electric circle. Join hands all around, and ever room and
electricity for one more.
I do not mean to imply that the visitor is not a problem. He is an
intrusion on your familiar little group. He is a foreign and
constraining element. He is a problem, however, that you cannot get
rid of, but must solve.
Utilize the visitor. Go to work in such way as to transform him into a
scholar; or if circumstances forbid that, at any rate win from his
visit fresh interest and inspiration for the class. Every visitor is
an angel of opportunity, entertained--how often!--unawares.
Let your reception of the visitor be to your class an object-lesson in
Christian courtesy. If he comes in alone, and awkwardly drops into a
distant seat, do not wait for the busy superintendent to get around to
him. If he is of fit age for your class, drop everything,--the most
valuable lesson you could be teaching is not so valuable as this
practical example,--and go to the stranger. Introduce yourself
cordially to him, and him to the rest of the class, or, at any rate,
to his neighbors.
Sometimes resign the pleasure of seeking the visitor yourself, and
send some persuasive scholar, thus letting him have a taste of the joy
of giving invitations. Possibly it will help him into the habit of
giving invitations outside.
Get your scholars to hand the visitor a lesson leaf or a Bible. Show
them that he is their visitor as well as yours. They will soon learn
to be delightfully courteous. But an iceberg teacher makes an iceberg
class.
And now you are on trial before your class. They will judge you by the
interest or the apathy of the visitor. They are watching him, ready to
be ashamed or proud of you.
Yet do not fear your visitor. He may come from a better school and a
better teacher. He may be critical and sneering and skeptical.
Nevertheless, he is your opportunity. Rejoice in it.
If he is a better scholar than any in your class, what a valuable and
inspiring example he may be made to them! If a poorer scholar, what an
opportunity to make your class feel the joy and power of teaching some
one!
If he is sneering and critical, the indignation of the class will bind
them more enthusiastically to you. If he is skeptical, what a chance
for examining and strengthening foundations!
The visitor is a mine of new ideas and experiences. Old thoughts take
on novel forms when fitted to him. His questions and answers exhibit
needs in your own class, unobserved because unfamiliar. His ways and
words freshen the stagnant class atmosphere.
And so he is your chance to get out of ruts and into new ways and
moods. Bless Providence for him, and question him vigorously, making
use of him to the utmost.
Two cautions, however. Let your questioning be very clear. He is
unused, remember, to your little mannerisms, and must not be confused
by idiosyncrasies. And in your exultation over him do not neglect the
others, nor seem to change your plans for the visitor, or to be
striving to show off before him.
Final advantage of the visitor: Teach your scholars to ask him heartily
to come again, not forgetting to do so cordially yourself. Committees on
church extension, remember, are trained in the Sunday-school.
Thus you see that the value of the visitor does not depend upon the
visitor so much as might be imagined. Yet just a word on how to visit
well.
Go to give good. Take hearty interest in the lesson, and have some
thought to add to the discussion. Better yet, have some earnest
question to ask. And ask it. If you come from another school,
consider yourself a Christian ambassador bearing greetings of
brotherly good will and common endeavor.
Go to get good. Be unobtrusive and teachable. And especially, show
that you have received good. Express appreciation, after the lesson,
to teacher and scholars. Then will you be blessed, and, changing the
meaning of the word "visitation," these words from the Wisdom of
Solomon may be applied to you: "In the time of their visitation they
shall shine, and run to and fro like sparks among the stubble."