The instructions here given are for the beginner. Others will follow
their accustomed methods. In our introduction we make the claim that
any earnest Christian worker, who is capable of addressing an audience
or a Sunday school class can, by the aid of this book, give a helpful
chalk talk.
Your response may be, "But, I can't draw." Listen! The following
instructions will teach you how to do the work without a technical or
practical knowledge of drawing. Let us take up the matter step by
step. When you understand the process, it will be "as easy as falling
off a log," and it won't jolt you half as much.
~~The Method Explained.~~
THE FIRST STEP--Before the time comes to give your talk, attach half a
dozen sheets of your drawing paper to your drawing board, making a
smooth drawing surface. It is well to use thumb tacks for this
purpose. Open the book to page 26, for we will prepare to give the
chalk talk entitled "The Two Faces." The upper picture. Fig. 7, shows
the picture partly finished; the lower picture, Fig. 8, shows how the
picture will look when completed. You will note that the lower picture
is cut up into squares measuring one-fourth of an inch each way.
THE SECOND STEP--By the use of a yardstick and lead pencil, draw
pencil lines on the large sheets of drawing paper, so as to separate
the drawing paper into the same number of squares as there are on the
picture in the book. Your paper is much larger than the page of the
book; therefore the squares on your drawing paper must be made much
larger than the squares in the book. It is easy to calculate the size
of the squares you should draw on the paper. Measure the width of the
paper in inches and divide by sixteen (the number of squares across
the picture in the book), and this will give you the figure
representing the size of the squares you are to draw on the paper. If
your drawing paper is thirty-two inches wide, your squares will
measure two inches each way.
THE THIRD STEP--Select one of the squares in Fig. 8 as a starting
point, and then find the corresponding square on your drawing
paper. Having done this, draw a pencil line on your drawing paper,
which will cross your enlarged squares in just the same places that
the line crosses the small squares in the book. Continue the process
until both faces have been outlined on your paper in the enlarged
form. Then, with a piece of soft rubber, erase all of the straight
pencil lines which form the squares, and the remaining outlines of the
two faces will stand out clear and distinct. Already you will have
found that you are more of an artist than you thought you were! This
sheet of paper, with its dim pencil outlines of the picture, is now
ready to be brought before your audience. You must, however, be sure
of one thing: the pencil outlines must be just plain enough for
_you_ to see them without difficulty, but they must be dimmed
with the eraser to such an extent that your audience _cannot_ see
them. Thus you have before you a complete outline of the picture you
are to draw, and, as you speak, you merely trace over these dim pencil
outlines with your chalk. Isn't it simple?
THE FOURTH STEP--All of the preparations up to this time have been
done in the quietude of your own room. You are now ready to place your
drawing board before your audience. After a smile of greeting you
begin your talk. "Let us," you say, "talk for a little while about our
thoughts," and then you proceed until you reach the reference to the
sour-faced man. "Here, for instance," you continue, "is a man with a
face something like this:" and you begin your drawing, starting
anywhere you choose. Take your time, and when you have finished the
sour face, the audience will show its appreciation with a heartily
responsive smile. This completes Fig. 7. Proceed then with the talk
until you reach the reference to the man with the sunny face. "Here
comes a man who looks something like this:" Draw the second face, and
you will have completed Fig. 8 and reached the climax of the
drawing. As you make the application of the lesson, you will feel that
your effort has already repaid you for the work you have undertaken,
and each succeeding attempt will make the work easier until it becomes
a pleasing habit.
[Illustration: Fig. 5]
In Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are shown a section of each of the faces of the
talk just referred to. Here they are enlarged four times. A-A shows
the preliminary pencil lines forming the one-inch squares, B-B
indicates the pencil outlines of the faces, and C-C illustrates the
tracing of the pencil lines with the chalk. In this instance black
chalk only is required.
[Illustration: Fig. 6]
~~Outlining the Right Picture.~~
In some of the talks in the book, the dotted squares cover the upper
picture; in others, they are drawn over the lower picture. In either
case, the one containing the squares is the one to be outlined on your
drawing paper.
~~Not an Artist, But a Teacher.~~
There should be no hesitation on your part to trace with chalk the
pencil lines which you have placed on your drawing paper. Remember,
always, that you are posing as a humble teacher of God's Word and not
as an artist. Your pencil outline holds the same relation to your
chalk talk that the minister's notes hold to his sermon. Both are
prepared in advance to enable the speaker to best present his
message. Do not try to conceal your method. There is nothing about it
of which you need be ashamed.
~~Finishing Part of the Drawing in Advance.~~
Now that the process has been explained in detail, a thorough
understanding of the suggestion under the heading, "Important to
Beginners," seems most essential as a still easier way to do the work.
Finishing part of the work in advance still leaves the speaker
something to do, and the audience will always be interested in finding
out what that "something" is to be.
~~The Value of Individuality.~~
It is well for the beginner to cultivate an individual style of
speaking. Substitute your own methods of expression in place of the
language of the book. The more you do it, the larger will be the
feeling that the message is a personal one from you to your hearers.
Whenever you can do so, substitute a "home" illustration for the one
in the book. As you become more accustomed to the work you will
doubtless use pictures and subjects entirely outside of the
book. Remember that any outline picture may be enlarged after the
method here shown. Cut your picture into squares with drawn lines, and
enlarge it in the same manner. Many Bible scenes may be shown in this
way.
~~International or Graded Lessons.~~
The book has been provided with two indexes. One directs you to
fitting talks for special days. The other serves as a guide to talks
and illustrations suitable to the application of any lesson. Determine
the central thought of the lesson and consult the Subject Index. It
will help you choose a talk appropriate for the day. The talk may need
a little revision to enable you to give it the proper application, but
the main thought will be readily apparent.
~~Talks for Special Days.~~
The index for suitable talks for special days includes some which are
not yet generally observed but which are of growing importance.
Introducing some of these into your school or church as novelties,
they may become as permanent as Easter, Children's Day, Rally Day and
others.
~~Talk vs. Chalk.~~
No matter how little preparation you may need for your talk, remember
that the words you speak are of greatest importance. It is to your
words that you must give careful study, or your audience may lose the
force of your thought while centering their attention upon the
developing picture.
Never apologize for the appearance of your drawing or of your ability
as an artist. Strive to present truth only. Truth needs no apology.
Do not draw in a sketchy manner. Determine on the place to begin your
drawing and then use a continuous, easy line, without lifting the
chalk from the paper, except when necessary to start in a new place.
~~Strive Only for Good.~~
The design of this book has been to present brief, impressive talks
which hold attention for from ten to twelve minutes. It is advisable
never to speak longer than this, especially when children form a part
of your audience and are the special object of your words. If you
cease speaking just when the audience wants to hear more, you will
always be assured of a hearing the next time. If you leave one single
wholesome thought with your audience you will have accomplished the
greatest good.
Avoid mannerisms. Cultivate an easy style of speaking and working.
Don't become discouraged if everything doesn't go to suit you. Your
audience is not a critical but a sympathetic one. All are striving to
do the Master's work, and the field you have undertaken will bring you
the interest and the kindliest co-operation of all who are working
with but one great object in view.
~~Recording Your Talks.~~
It is suggested that each talk, as you give it, be so marked in the
book as to indicate the time and place of its use, so you will avoid
possible repetition before the same audience months or years later.
~~A Word to Parents.~~
The same general principles of procedure as those here given are
suggested as the best method of using this book in the home. For the
very little children, the parent will find it well to enlarge the
outlines upon paper and tell the stories in such a way as can be
understood best, but for the boys or girls who are in the younger
grades at school the book describes a method of drawing which will
delight and instruct them. Of course, the parent will have to teach
the method to the children, as they will be incapable of understanding
it from the printed description. With this instruction will come the
unfolding of the stories of the book and their application. A child,
when he sees a picture of a face or a house or any other object, wants
to know all about it--whose it is, what it is or what it is for. This
is true especially if it be a picture which he is asked to draw for
himself or which he sees drawn. This enables the parent to give into
expectant and waiting ears the great truths of Christ as expressed in
pictures which the child understands.
It is best, we believe; in instructing those who are old enough to do
the drawing themselves or watch the parent do it, to select paper of
such a size as can be used on a desk or table. Ordinary letter-size
unruled tablet paper is convenient to get and easily handled. Let the
child square off the page, under the parent's directions, and then let
him do his part in tracing the picture from the book. Doubtless, some
of the enlarged pictures will be "fearfully and wonderfully made," but
it is a start in a splendid direction--a start which may have its
ending in the happiness for which every parent longs and which cannot
come unless the children begin in childhood to become the companions
of their parents--companions who cannot be separated in later years by
distance or the disturbances of the earthly life.
~~A Final Word to Ministers.~~
Do not forget that there is no earthly or heavenly reason why a
minister should not have a blackboard or an easel on the pulpit
platform or in the prayer meeting room to help him keep his audiences
awake while he tries to drive truth home to heart and mind. It is
every preacher's duty to be _interesting_, and if this book and
the blackboard, or the equipment for chalk talk work, will help him to
be so, then it is his plain duty to buy the book and secure the chalk
and easel and _"get busy" being interesting_!
And there is one more thing: Don't forget you can do it--_if you
try_!
And now, with these general instructions and observations, the book is
commended to the use of all who have the love of Christ in their
hearts and who, as faithful workers, may wish to add one more working
tool to those they have used so well.
THE TWO FACES
--Our Thoughts.
--Optimism.
"As a Man Thinketh in His Heart, So Is He"--A Lesson in Character
Building.
THE LESSON--That our thoughts determine the kind of life we live,
and often proclaim character in the face.
If the teacher succeeds in impressing upon the pupil the great need to
"guard well thy thoughts," for "our thoughts are heard in heaven," he
will have accomplished a work of immeasurable good in the life of the
child or youth who is the fortunate object of such interest.
~~The Talk.~~
"Let us think a while about our thoughts. Do you know it is a fact
that a man, seated quietly in an easy chair on his front porch on a
summer evening, may be sinning against God and man? Yes, it's true,
for, as he sits there in the silence, he can hate another man with a
bitter hatred; he can plan to rob him or burn his house or slander him
or even take his life. And the worst of it all is that if he allows
such thoughts to rent a room in his head it may not be long before his
evil designs have become awful deeds.
"Not many boys or girls think such terrible things, but thoughts of
this kind are only the little bad thoughts allowed to grow year after
year in the head and in the heart. And do you know, also, that if you
allow these little bad thoughts to live in your head and heart for a
while, they get so bold and 'sassy' that they insist on taking
possession of the best room of your head and the parlor of your heart
and defy you to put them out? The only thing to do is to throw them
out the very first time they come in.
[Illustration: Fig. 7
(In each instance, the upper picture shows how the drawing will look
when partly finished.)]
"Let us take a walk down-street and mix with the crowd. Every person
whom we see is thinking about something, even though he doesn't say a
word, and we believe, as we look into the faces we meet, that we can
tell just what kind of thoughts some of them have. Here, for instance,
is a man with a face something like this: [Draw the sour face,
completing the first step, Fig. 7.] He looks grouchy; perhaps he is
vicious, and we avoid brushing against him. Perhaps he has lost money
in a business deal; perhaps he wanted a political position and didn't
get it; perhaps a supposed friend has proven untrue; perhaps his
disappointment, whatever it is, has made him sour and crabbed. But he
passes on, and we meet other faces. Here comes a man who looks
something like this: [Draw the happy face, completing Fig. 8.] He
doesn't look as if he had a care in all the world, does he? And yet we
may find that he, too, has lost money in a business transaction that
was full of promise--that he, also, has failed to win a political
race; that he has been mistreated by a supposed friend. And yet,
through it all, he has never lost sight of the sunshine. He has
learned many a valuable lesson from each of his disappointments, and
perhaps he has had a good many more of them than the other fellow ever
knew.
[Illustration: Fig. 8
(The lower view shows the appearance of the drawing completed.)]
"Now, what has made the difference in these two men? Their thoughts
have made the difference. The grouch has, for years, entertained
grouchy thoughts. The sunshiny man has cultivated the habit of seeing
the bright side of things. That's all there is to it.
"How about you, boys? And you, girls? What kind of thoughts do you
think? I said, you remember, that if bad thoughts get into your head
and heart, they stick there defiantly. But, listen! If you let good
thoughts into your head and heart, they, too, will settle down and
make their home with you and your happiness is assured.
"Don't get into the habit of growling because the street car is two
minutes late. Thank your lucky stars that there is a street car to
come at all!
"Learn to be happy. A smiling face is welcome everywhere. People
scamper away from a scowling countenance, especially if the owner of
it insists upon telling his woes and troubles.
"Remember that happiness depends not upon how many burdens we worry
about, but upon how many blessings we are glad about--it depends not
upon what we have, but upon what we enjoy. God says, 'Let the wicked
forsake his ways and the _unrighteous_ man _his thoughts_'--that
is, his unrighteous thoughts. Why? Because God knows that vulgar
thoughts make vulgar men, and evil thoughts make evil men. So boys,
make a practice of chasing them out of your heads as you would drive a
snake out of your bedroom."
THE CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS
--Christmas
--The Needy
It Is Well to Remember the Poor at Christmas, but it is Infinitely
Better to Be a True Friend Every Day.
THE LESSON--That the true Christmas spirit is that which causes us
to remember the needy always, whether their need be for the
necessities of life or for the love of a real friend.
Too many of us are inclined to shower our gifts and our good wishes
upon the needy at the glad Christmas season, and then neglect this
great field of service throughout another twelve-month period.
~~The Talk.~~
"As we go out upon the street today everybody seems to be happy and
full of laughter and good cheer. People who usually pass us by without
speaking at all or who merely nod without as much as a smile, act
today as if they knew us very well; they smile real widely and say
'Merry Christmas!' just as heartily as they know how, and we respond
to the greeting with a 'Same to you!' with an inner feeling of
friendliness that somehow surprises us. It is a time when nearly every
heart is warmed, and we find our greatest joy in seeing how happy we
can make other folks. In every home where children are to be
found--and there the Christmas spirit is the merriest--we see the
stocking all hung in a row, and we are just as anxious to fill them as
the owners are to have them filled. [Draw the three stockings,
completing Fig. 9.]
[Illustration: Fig. 9]
"Here they are. And when Susie and Johnnie and little Bob come
scrambling downstairs on Christmas morning their eyes sparkle with
delight and our hearts warm with Christmas gladness as we join in
their merriment.
"But there are other homes. And other stockings--stockings not so
warm, not so good--stockings that are darned and patched and worn like
this. [With broad side of black crayon change the stockings of Fig. 9
to resemble those of Fig. 10.] In the atmosphere of Christmas joy in
our own comfortable homes, do we sometimes over-look the boys and
girls in the poorer homes who won't have much of a Christmas unless we
fill these poor, patched little stockings with gifts to show that
someone cares? I don't believe there is a boy or a girl here who is
selfish enough to refuse to do such a little thing to bring a glad
Christmas into a poor home. All we need is to be told where to go and
what to do. [Doubtless you will have planned a way for the children to
give remembrances to the poor; this may be presented in a word at this
time, reserving the details for the close.]
[Illustration: Fig. 10]
"'At Christmastide the open hand
Scatters its bounties o'er sea and land;
And none are left to grieve alone,
For Love is Heaven and claims its own.'
"Truly, the Christmas spirit is upon us today. But stop--! Will it
vanish tomorrow? Will we forget to be kind to those about us next
week, next month, next summer? Will we forget that these same little
worn, patched stockings are there in the same needy homes, and that
the boys and girls may need our friendship and help more when it is
summer than they do now when so many willing hands are extended to
help them?
"I hope we shall not forget. Let us remember that the best gifts,
ofttimes, are not those which we can see and touch. The truest gifts
are those of love and companionship and service--the same fellowship
which Jesus gave to the poor when he was among men. It seems as if His
heart always went out to those in need, and He helped them, not with
gifts which fade and wear out and are soon cast aside, but with words
and deeds which told them that He would be a true friend even to the
end of the world. 'Christianity,' says Henry Drummond, 'wants nothing
so much as sunny people, and the old are hungering more for love than
for bread. The Oil of Joy is very cheap, and if you can help the poor
with the Garment of Praise, it will be better than blankets."
Dr. Henry D. Chapin expresses the same thought when he says, 'The cry
of the ages is more for fraternity than for charity. If one exists,
the other will follow, or, better still, will not be needed.'
"Says J. R. Miller, 'Wanting to have a friend is altogether different
from wanting to be a friend. The former is mere natural human
craving. The latter is the life of Christ in the soul.'
"At no better time than today can we choose to plant again the seed of
true friendship in our hearts. Let us cultivate it and nurture it
until it blooms forth into friendship for everyone who may be helped
by the love of Christ through us."
THE KEY TO FAILURE
--Temperance Day
--Appetite
Strong Drink Opens the Gate to Destruction and Bars the Way to
Success.
THE LESSON--That strong drink robs its victims of the ability to
solve the problems of life.
This temperance lesson deals with the curse of strong drink in
especial reference to its connection with the material success of the
individual. Specific opinions of several well-known representative men
are quoted.
~~The Talk.~~
"Nearly every man carries in his pocket a bunch of keys. [Write the
word 'Key,' completing Fig. 11.] When a professional man, for
instance, reaches his office in the morning, he may unlock his office
door with one key; with another key he may unlock his desk; with
another he may unlock a drawer in the desk; and then, having opened
his safe, he may use still another key to unlock his strong box. At
night he may look carefully to see that each of these things is again
carefully locked before he goes home. And so, we see, keys are for two
purposes--to unlock and to lock.
[Illustration: Fig. 11]
"Most keys are made of metal and are in our own keeping and subject to
our own will, but there is another key of which I shall speak, which
goes before many a man, working entirely independent of him. And as it
goes, it locks the doors which he wishes to enter, and it unlocks many
another door which he does not want to enter and forces him to go
through it. I will draw the picture of this key. [Starting at the
final stroke of the letter Y, continue the line, and ending with the
letters W-H-I-S. Then add the lines to complete Fig. 12.]
[Illustration: Fig. 12]
"Let us see for a moment what this key does. It locks the door to
health and opens the door to disease. Sir Andrew Clark, one of
England's greatest physicians, says: 'I am speaking solemnly and
carefully in the presence of truth, and I will tell you that I am
considerably within the mark when I say to you that, going the round
of my hospital wards today, _seven out of every ten_ owed their
ill-health to strong drink.'
"And again: This key bars and locks the way to good positions, where
men may earn the money needed to keep themselves and their families
provided with the necessities of life. Many of the great corporations
are refusing to hire men who drink. Whiskey has locked the door to
opportunity for them. The Pennsylvania Railroad Company, operating one
of the greatest systems in the world, has issued a statement to the
men who run the trains on its lines which includes these words:
'Taking one drink of intoxicating liquor is like running passed the
red light. It is unsafe. The possible line between safety and danger
in the use of alcoholic drink is dangerously unstable. _Safety_
lies back of _total abstinence_. The normal man has no legitimate
use for alcohol as a beverage, and he has no right to render himself
abnormal by its use when lives are dependent upon his efficiency.
None but normal men should run railway trains. The traveling public
has unqualified right to demand and expect none less safe.' This
statement deals, not with the moral side, but with the fact that a man
who drinks unfits himself for any position of responsibility,
especially if entrusted with human life.
"This key also locks and bars the way to a life of purity and
honor. Says the chaplain of the Ohio penitentiary, Dr. Starr: "The
records show that 1,250 persons have been received into this
institution during eighteen months; of these, 930 acknowledged
themselves to have been intemperate.' And the Massachusetts Bureau of
Labor adds the statement that of 27,000 crimes committed in that
state, eight out of every ten were due to intemperate habits, or
occurred while the criminal was under the influence of liquor.
"We need not go further to show that this key is truly the key to
failure--failure in the attempt to attain to anything pure, right and
honorable.
"No one knows this better than the manufacturer of strong drink. 'The
handwriting is on the wall,' says T.M. Gilmore, president of the Model
License League. 'Our trade today is on trial before the bar of public
sentiment, and unless it can be successfully defended before that bar,
I want to see it go down forever.'
"In no better way can we help to bring this victorious end than by
lending our every influence to cause the world to turn to the true
Christian life, for then follows 'love out of a pure heart and a good
conscience and faith unfeigned.' Paul does not say, 'Shun that which
is evil;' he says _abhor_ it. May this ever be our attitude
toward this giant evil."
A BUSY LIFE
--Pluck and Luck
--Industry
A Plucky American Boy Whom the Whole World Delights to Honor.
THE LESSON--That pluck and perseverance and a "Try--Try--Again"
Spirit can laugh at obstacles and change them into stepping
stones.
The following talk may suggest to many of the younger hearers the
secret of the true greatness of Benjamin Franklin, who is considered
by many our foremost American.
~~The Talk.~~
"Some people trust to luck to carry them through the world. Like
Dickens' Micawber, they're 'always waiting for something to turn up.'
I have heard of a man who was so pleased at finding a big horseshoe
that he placed it over his bedroom door. The next morning, as he
closed the door, he jarred the horseshoe from its place and it fell
and struck him such a blow on the head that he was in the hospital for
a week. Such results as this are likely to come when we depend upon
luck. Let us remember that luck never figures in God's calculations.
"I have seen people looking for something like this in their front
yards. [Quickly draw the outlines of the four-leaf clover in black,
and fill in the outlines with broad sweeps of green. With black, trace
the veins lightly, and then put in the letters to spell 'Luck.' This
completes Fig. 13.] What is it? Yes, a four-leaf clover. And when I
saw them looking for it, I thought that they could have been doing a
great deal more good by pulling the weeds in their back yards.
[Illustration: Fig. 13]
"But today we shall talk about a boy who never depended upon luck at
all. This boy had a pair of sharp eyes, and whenever he saw anything
to do, he did it. His name was Benjamin Franklin. Did you ever hear of
him? Yes, I thought so. This boy worked for his older brother in a
printing office in Boston, but the brother used to flog him and treat
him roughly. Benjamin knew that they could never get along well
together, so he went away to Philadelphia.
"In this great city he saw many things which other boys before him had
not seen. He saw that the printing art had wonderful possibilities in
it; he studied and worked hard to improve the business, and today all
of the printers call him the father of the art of printing. He saw
that he ought to know other languages besides English, and so he
became a master of French, Italian and Latin--and luck' hadn't a thing
to do with it! He saw on every hand many chances to help other
people. This prompted him to organize the first police force and the
first fire company in the United Colonies; he organized a military
company; he paved the streets of Philadelphia and taught the people
how to keep them clean; he founded a hospital; he invented the first
practical stove; he accepted many public positions in his earlier
years, including that of member of the general assembly of the
colonies, deputy postmaster of Philadelphia and commissioner to treat
with the Indians.
"He saw that the common people should have a better chance to get an
education, and so he published for many years Poor Richard's Almanac,
which provided them with much that they should have known; he founded
the first circulating library, helped to establish the University of
Pennsylvania, and brought into existence the American Philosophical
Society.
"He saw the lightning, just as millions before him had done; but,
unlike the others, he believed the brilliant display was the evidence
of a great and unseen power--electricity. By the use of his now famous
kite and key he proved it to be so, and for a time he was the only man
in the world who knew what lightning really is.
"He saw at the time of the impending Revolutionary war the need of
someone to go to England to intercede in the interests of the
colonies; and so, when the choice fell upon him, he did not shirk the
responsibility.
"He saw many later duties which caused him to become a member of the
Continental Congress which made George Washington the commander-in-chief
of the Colonial army; he helped to write the Declaration of Independence;
he was a commissioner of peace to confer with the British General
Howe; he was a member of the commission to seek the aid of France; he
was America's first postmaster general.
[Illustration: Fig. 14]
"_Did Benjamin Franklin depend upon luck?_ Never! His was,
rather, a five-leaf clover, like this: [Quickly add the fifth leaf to
the drawing, and insert the letter P, completing Fig. 14.] 'Whatsoever
thy hand findeth to do,' says the Bible, 'do it with thy might.' I
believe Benjamin Franklin fulfilled this command; and we can do it
ourselves, if we will. He never stopped to 'knock on wood' to prevent
bad luck! He had better sense. And I hope we have, too."
THE KEG and the BUCKET
--Temperance Day
--Purity
A Temperance Talk Devoted to the Teaching of the Principles of
Purity of Life.
THE LESSON--That water as a beverage stands for purity and
blessing, while spirituous liquors are always an emblem of impurity
and blight.
The chalk talk here outlined contains in its illustration an
interesting transformation which always commands close attention. The
truth it presents cannot fail to leave an impression. It may be well
to vary the application of the temperance thought to suit your local
conditions.
~~The Talk.~~
"I am going to outline for you a picture of an object which is
everywhere recognized by good people as a symbol of defiance of the
law, a suggestion of immorality, of poverty, depravity and death.
[Draw beer keg, completing Fig. 15.] In plain words, it is a beer keg,
and its close companions are the whiskey barrel, the wine cask and the
demijohn! It well represents the liquor traffic as a whole--that
terrible curse which holds in its grip so many men and boys, whose
lives might be bright, happy and successful but for its blighting,
fatal grasp.
[Illustration: Fig. 15]
"No right-thinking man has a good word for the business which makes
good men into brutes, transforms honorable citizens into murderers,
and brings many a prosperous family to rags and misery. The
saloon-keeper himself has no good word for the business; he merely
defends it because it makes for him a good living with little work on
his part. Ofttimes he will not drink a drop himself or allow any of
his employes to touch liquor. He is in the business for the money he
can get out of it, not caring how much poverty and penury others get.
With a low idea of his duty toward his fellow-beings, he argues that
as long as men and boys will drink the deadly stuff which he sells, he
as well as anyone else, has a right to profit by their weakness and
degradation.
"'Oh,' says Shakespeare, 'that men should put an enemy in their mouths
to steal away their brains!'
"Whenever we hear of a state of lawlessness and anarchy in a city or a
nation, we can rightly conclude that the government of that city or
that nation has lost control of its people. When a man becomes a
drunkard and does things which he never thought of doing before, we
can rightly conclude that his brain has failed to govern him and that
it has been deposed by the forces of base appetite. He has lost
control of himself. That is why a drinking man cannot in these days
secure a good position with the large corporations, railroads,
manufactories and the immense commercial institutions. The great
employers of men have learned that they cannot trust men who, as
Shakespeare says, have 'put an enemy into their mouths to steal away
their brains.' Brains are in demand everywhere--brains and steady
nerves.
"So, wherever we look, we see young men learning that the way of the
saloon is the way of failure. If they can only be halted in their way
and be made to look for a moment upon another symbol--a symbol of
purity and true service--they might be saved from the bitter path into
which they are stepping. [Revise drawing by adding the bail and the
lettering, completing Fig. 16. If time will allow of the singing of a
verse of 'The Old Oaken Bucket,' the innovation will prove a pleasing
touch.]
[Illustration: Fig. 16]
"Perhaps the warnings against liquor have become commonplace to
you. Perhaps you feel that you do not need to be told the story of the
great curse. But if the warning comes echoing back to you in the time
of temptation you will bless the hearing of it, for it may mean
everything to you and your loved ones and the generations to come.
"It is the Master who said, 'And whosoever shall give to drink unto
one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a
disciple, verily, I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his
reward.' But what may one lose when he puts the drunkard's glass to
the lips of a young man?
"Hear the voice of Solomon: 'The drunkard and the glutton shall come
to poverty, and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.' 'Wine is a
mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is
not wise.'
"If Jesus held up to us a cup of cold water as the emblem of purity,
let us never bring dishonor upon one of earth's greatest blessings.
"'Traverse the desert, and then ye can tell
What treasures exist in the cold, deep well;
Sink in despair on the red, parched earth,
And then ye may reckon what water is worth.'"
--ELIZA COOK.
TURN OVER A NEW LEAF
--New Year's Day
--Gladness
The Psalmist Truly Says that "A Merry Heart Maketh a Cheerful
Countenance."
THE LESSON--That the wearing of a gloomy countenance is
unpardonable and that "the smile that won't come off" is the kind that
ought to come on.
Laughter is catching. The following chalk talk will capture an
audience and bring genuine smiles as nothing else, perhaps, in this
book. It has been prepared for that purpose. While it is arranged here
as especially appropriate for the beginning of the new year, it may be
used with varying applications on many other occasions.
~~The Talk.~~
"There is a good deal of consolation in the words of Cowper, who truly
declares that
"'The path of sorrow, and that path alone,
Leads to the land where sorrow is unknown.'
"Nevertheless, most of us ask for as little real sorrow as possible
while we are treading the pathway that leads to eternal peace.
[It is advisable to begin the drawing of Fig. 17 at this point, and
continue the talk as the picture develops. It is suggested that the
eyes be drawn first, then the mouth and nose, and, finally, the outer
portions. It adds to the effect, too, to stop drawing at this point,
allowing the people to study carefully the dull, gloomy expression of
the face. Then, as if to put on the finishing touches, draw the lines
of the forehead. These, of course, are the lines of the nose and mouth
of the reversed face, but the audience will not suspect the 'trick'
until it is revealed.]
[Illustration: Fig. 17]
"And yet, to judge from the way some of us act and look, it would seem
that we rather enjoy a protracted case of the miseries! Some folks
begin to fret as soon as they are out of bed in the morning; the early
day brings its worries and cares, the noontide and the afternoon are
filled with problems, and night finds them all fagged out and longing
to take rest in sleep so as to get into condition to repeat the round
of sorrows and cares which they are preparing for themselves for the
next day. Little jealousies, petty rivalries, senseless envyings and
useless fears bring wrinkles of care, which are very unbecoming; and,
before we are aware of it, the years have overtaken us, and we
advertise our inner selves by this outward kind of sign. [Display
Fig. 17 complete. This finishes the drawing of both scenes or figures,
since the second part is merely an inverting of Fig. 17.]
"But, friends, you know, and I know, that all this--or most of it--is
all foolishness. We know that 'as a man thinketh in his heart so is
he.' If he thinks gloomy things, he will be a gloomy man. If he thinks
glad things, he will be a happy man. So, let us consider this matter
now at the beginning of the new year. Strange to say, smiling is a
serious thing! It affects our influence, it means much to the
happiness of those about us, it has a direct connection with the state
of our health, and, therefore, with our material prosperity. It is
true, of course, that we are bound to have our little annoyances and
our depressing sorrows as we go through life; but, surely, we can
avoid most of the troubles which keep us unhappy if we will but lift
our thoughts above ourselves and employ our time in seeking to comfort
and brighten the lives of those about us. Happiness is largely a
habit, and we can do no better than to 'get the habit" and let others
catch it from us.
"Let us learn the truth that peace of mind is health to the body, and
that it is worth more than we ever imagine. Joy is essential to the
truly Christlike life. When the angel proclaimed to the shepherds,
'Behold, I bring you tidings of great joy, which shall be to all
people,' you and I were included, and we have not accepted that
message of great joy, and Christ abides not in us if we do not reflect
the sunlight which has come from above.
"And so I am going to ask that we join together today in 'turning over
a new leaf.' What do I mean? Simply this: To meet our troubles fairly
and squarely, grasp them firmly and then completely overturn them;
when lo! we shall find their threatenings, their warnings and their
fearful aspects shall have faded away, and brightness and peace shall
have taken their place. [At the beginning of this paragraph grasp the
drawing at the bottom, tear it loose from the top, and hold it up
before the audience, inverted, as in Fig. 18.]
[Illustration: Fig. 18]
"Truly, 'a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance.' May yours
remain so throughout the new year and ever after."
TRUE SUCCESS
--Lincoln's Birthday
--Discouragement
It is Exemplified by the Life of Abraham Lincoln--Stumbling Blocks
and Stepping Stones.
THE LESSON--That the very things which are obstacles in the way of
many should be their stepping stones to the higher life.
The life of Abraham Lincoln is so fraught with good lessons that it is
difficult to select that which is of the greatest inspiration to the
young. The illustration here given, however, points the way to true
success as illustrated by the story of Lincoln's life.
~~The Talk.~~
"Every one of us is anxious to be a success. [Draw the word 'Success'
in red, and the rays of light in orange.]
"But many of us are discouraged and disheartened by seeing before us
so many big 'ifs' in the way that we give up trying to gain the height
toward which our eyes were once lifted. [Draw the wall, with the rocks
obstructing the way; put in the letters 'I' and 'F,' and indicate the
pathway. Your drawing will now resemble Fig. 19.]
[Illustration: Fig. 19]
"Some of us may say, 'IF I had not been born in such an obscure place
or in such an obscure family, I might have been a great success.'
"Another might say, 'IF my father had only had the means to give me a
lift at the right time, I might have been a great success.'
"Another might say, 'IF I had only had the chance to go to school when
I was a boy, I might have obtained the education necessary to make me
a great success.'
"One other might say, 'IF I could only work out my plans without
meeting with the discouraging opposition of those who ought to help me
and co-operate with me, I might be a great success.'
"Still another might say, 'IF I had only had the opportunities that
other men have had, I might have been a great success.'
"And so we might stand and look with discouraged hearts at the 'ifs'
before us and stop dead still.
"Well, now, let us look into this a little. Let us search the
Scriptures and find a word of comfort. But search as we may, we find
the word 'Success' there only once. Why only once? Probably because
the Bible has a much bigger and better word, and that word is 'Life.'
'I am the Way, the Truth and the Life,' says the Master; and again, 'I
am the Resurrection and the Life.' This wonderful word was often on
His lips. To Him, success was life. To live was all that earth could
desire. To live was to see in these stones--[Indicate the stones in
the drawing]--not stumbling-blocks but stepping-stones to success.
[Add the letters 'L' and 'E,' completing the word 'Life.'] When you
and I see the true life, then will all our 'ifs' depart.
[Illustration: Fig. 20]
"Abraham Lincoln was one who saw these stones before him. How did he
look upon them?
"The obscurity of his birth was no 'if' to him--it was the foundation
of his noble character.
"The poverty of his early years was no 'if' to him--it was the thing
which caused him to appreciate every blessing of after life.
"The denial of his means to an education when a boy was no 'if' to
him--it caused his maturer mind to hunger after learning, even in his
later years.
"The bitter opposition which he met throughout his tempestuous
political career was no 'if' to him--it softened his nature and drew
him nearer to the God of love in whom he placed his trust.
"No one should envy him his opportunities, for he made every one of
them himself, just as you or I may do.
"It would seem to me, as I look at the life of this great man, that
the secret of his success lay in his determination to make every
stumbling block a stepping stone. In order to do it, he held
steadfastly to the hand of God, when, it seemed, all other friends had
failed. It was then that he said, 'I do the best I know--the very best
I can--and I mean to keep right on doing so until the end.'
"God has not yet given us wings to fly with, but He has given us
feet to climb with, and if we use them for all they are worth, we can
climb near enough to heaven's gate to step right in when the summons
come.
"Boys and girls, men and women, the opportunity for success--for
Life--is given to each one of us, just as truly as it was given to
Abraham Lincoln. We could not have taken his place. Perhaps he could
not have taken yours or mine. It is for each of us to work out his own
success, just as he did."
THE FRUITS OF RICHES
--Humility
--Wealth
If the Love of Gold Controls the Life Naught but Poverty of Soul
Can Result.
THE LESSON--That while wealth, honestly earned, may be a blessing,
the life devoted to the getting of riches cannot hope for true
happiness.
The Scriptures do not condemn the possession of riches, but they do
have some strong things to say against the wrongful attainment of
wealth and the harmful use of money. The talk here presented is
designed to impress this thought. In outlining the drawing be sure to
place the lettering exactly as shown in the design.
~~The Talk.~~
"The Bible has a good deal to say about rich people and poor people.
Solomon, it seems, thought it best to be neither poor nor rich, for he
wrote, 'Give me neither poverty nor riches," and I believe that this
sentiment would be that of most of us. At any rate, the richer he got,
the farther he went from God. But we must have money--enough to meet
the needs of our lives. We need it for the buying of our food, our
clothing, our homes, our books and in a thousand other ways. But I
hope that none of us will ever reach the point where the governing
principle in our lives will be to get money for money's sake.
"Money-madness seems to be the dominant characteristic of many
people. They appear to think that wealth will gain for them all that
may be desired to make life happy. We might illustrate the thought by
saying that they sow or plant their money and hope that it will bring
forth a fruitage of the blessings for which they long. [Draw the bag
of money, the earth line, the stalk of the plant and the outline of
the foliage, all with black.] And what do the possessors of riches
expect as a harvest in return for the sowing of their wealth? First,
let us put down Pleasure. [Put in the word Pleasure, using red for the
lettering.] And they expect to be leaders in smart society, so we will
add to the list Social Prestige. [Add Social Prestige.] They expect
their associates to be impressed with the evidence of luxury in their
palatial homes and in all they have and do. So we will add Luxury to
the list. [Add Luxury.] And through it all they think they will
possess that degree of satisfaction and contentment which we call
comfort, so we will add this to the list. [Add Comfort.] And, finally,
let us add a word to indicate that element which the wealthy sometimes
possess in a worldly sense, representing their ability to direct the
happiness or unhappiness of those who are less fortunate in their
possession of worldly goods. That word is Power. [Add Power,
completing Fig. 21.]
[Illustration: Fig. 21]
"Here, then, is the picture of the result as longed for by the
possessors of riches, whose lives are devoted to the attainment of
things of this world alone.
"But, alas, how often are bright hopes shattered! 'He that maketh
haste to be rich,' says Solomon, 'shall not be innocent.' A glance at
the daily paper tells us how true it is that when the love of money
takes possession of the heart, pleasure is driven out. How often, too,
does the aspiring social leader find himself outrivalled in the
foolish race, and social prestige vanishes. And with such experiences
as these, the home of wealth loses the longed-for luxury, comfort and
worldly power. And what has come to take the place of these which were
only dreams? [With the broad side of the black crayon fill in solidly
the portions of the foliage area, leaving only the word Sorrow. Add
the words, "The love of money is the root of all evil," completing
Fig. 22, which shows the root and the trunk of a tree that looks more
like the tree of death than "The Tree of Life."]
[Illustration: Fig. 22]
"Such is too often the result of the love of money, which, as Paul
tells us, 'is the root of all evil.' But, happily, there is another
side to the matter. Many of the wealthy of the earth have blessed and
are blessing mankind and in return are themselves blessed. In harmony
with the thought, Dr. Van Dyke says: I do not mean to say that the
possession of much money is always a real barrier to real wealth of
mind and heart. Nor would I maintain that all the poor of this world
are rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom. And if some of the rich of
this world (through the grace of Him with whom all things are
possible) are also modest in their minds and ready to be pleased with
unbought pleasures, they simply share in the best things which are
provided for all.'
"None of us may ever be rich in earthly possessions, but even the
strife after the money necessary for our actual needs may shut out our
vision of the things of greater value. Let us always hold fast to that
which is good, remembering always that a good name is rather to be
chosen than great riches.
"Let us put out of our lives all envy, all jealousy, all desire for
the artificial, and learn the lessons of humility, patience,
confidence and good cheer which are all about us if we but turn our
faces and our hearts toward them."
THE CHRIST-CHILD
--Christmas
--Giving
A Lesson From the Story of the Shepherds and the Wise Men.
THE LESSON--That the Light that was shed when the Christ-Child came
to earth now brightens the farthest corners of the world.
Nothing is more beautiful and impressive than the story of the
Christ-Child. It cannot be repeated too often, and it is essential at
Christmas time.
~~The Talk.~~
"Let us hear once more the wonderful story of the shepherds who played
such a large part in the first Christmas. [Read Luke 2:8-18. When you
reach the words, 'Let us now go even unto Bethlehem,' draw the lines
representing the city, using brown crayon. On completing the reading
of verse 18, continue the narrative by reading Matthew 2:1-2 and
2:9-11. When you reach the words, 'the star which they saw in the east
went before them and stood over where the young child was,' draw the
star, with its rays, in orange, completing Fig. 23. This ends the
reading.]
[Illustration: Fig. 23]
"I wish we could picture to ourselves the scene in Bethlehem when
Jesus was born. We are told that there was such an immense crowd there
that Joseph and Mary could find no shelter in the inn, but we should
know that this does not mean a hotel, for they had nothing of this
kind in Bethlehem. Indeed, it would not have been required, because
all that the thousands of visitors needed was the permission to sleep
on the floor on their own mats which they brought with them. This is
the custom even today. It was a sacred duty of every Jew to give
shelter to his countrymen who were on a journey, so, instead of an
inn, the real meaning is that there was no room for them in any house
in Bethlehem. It is probable that the stable in which they sought
refuge was a rough cave, such as are to be found in that neighborhood
now. So, let us note at the beginning that Jesus, the Savior, was born
amidst the most humble surroundings, and also that when the angels
came to announce His birth, they did not choose to tell the good news
first to the rich and the powerful, but brought the wonderful story to
the humble shepherds who watched their flocks by night on the
hillside. But it was not to stop there. No, God wanted the world to
know that the kingdom of love which came with the birth of Jesus was
for the high and the lowly alike. So, by the brilliant star He guided
the wise men from the east to worship Him and place at His feet the
precious jewels and costly gifts, which show that they were men of
great wealth and wisdom.
"So, we see, the coming of Jesus was to bring a blessing to all
men. It was to be a kingdom of love which would include the whole wide
world, 'for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that _whosoever_ believeth in Him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.'
"Let us remember that God 'gave' His Son to the world--it was the
first and greatest Christmas Gift. We can never repay Him for this
marvelous expression of His love. All we can do is to endeavor every
day of our lives to do good and thus give as best we can of the
blessings which have come from Him.
"At Christmas time we seem to have no difficulty in showing kindness
to those about us. The earth is filled with His spirit, so that in
millions of churches and homes throughout the world today we find a
reflection of the star of Bethlehem in the countless shining candles
and glittering electric lights which adorn the Christmas trees. [Draw
candle flames and rays in orange. Draw tree in green, and use brown to
fill in the trunk and the foundation. This completes Fig. 24.]
[Illustration: Fig. 24]
"Yes, everywhere that we see the sparkling candles or little electric
lights, let us think of them as reflecting the light of the star of
Bethlehem, to guide us to Him, just as the wise men were guided to
that humble manger-cradle in Bethlehem. Many there are, we know, who
make merry at Christmas, while shutting Jesus out of their lives.
They know not the blessing of the warmth of Christian love which He
brought into the world, which is for them, if they will only accept
it.
"But let us look at our own lives and see if we are reflecting the
true spirit of Christmas. Some one has said that true Christmas
_giving_ is true Christmas _living_--living not merely at Christmas
time in fellowship with all, but throughout the year, with no
difference in days excepting that with their succession we may grow
more and more humble and faithful--more like Him."
SEEDTIME AND HARVEST
--Sowing
--Reaping
"Whatsoever a Man Soweth, That Shall He Also Reap."
THE LESSON--That the happiness or the unhappiness of middle life
and old age are the result of the thoughts and deeds of early
life.
The teacher who can help the little children to avoid the
entertainment of wrong thoughts and the teacher who can eliminate from
the minds of the youth the belief that the "sowing of wild oats" is a
harmless--perhaps necessary--touch of life, may feel that he has
accomplished much. The teaching carries with it the necessity of
supplanting wrong thoughts with right ones.
~~The Talk.~~
"Some of the great declarations of the Scriptures have become so
familiar to us that we speak the words and lose much of their
significance. One great truth which seems to have lost its power with
many is that verse in the letter of Paul to the Galatians, in which he
says, 'Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man
soweth, that shall he also reap.'
"What does Paul mean? He means simply this, that your life and mine,
like the life of the world of nature about us, has its seedtime and
its time of harvest--that if the seedtime of our early life finds us
planting good thoughts, kindly deeds and loving words, the harvest of
the later life will be peace and blessedness; if the seedtime of life
finds us sowing evil thoughts, bad deeds and ungodly words, the
harvest will be remorse, bitterness and the suffering which must come
from such a sowing.
"Everybody who lives fifty years or more has two looks at life; first,
a forward look, and, last, a backward look. It is wise to plan in
advance for the backward look by living so that the retrospect will be
gratifying and satisfying and comforting, and not of a kind to bring
mourning over wasted years and lost opportunities for doing good.
[Illustration: Fig. 25]
"Let us consider the lesson of nature for a moment. In the springtime
the farmer plants the kernels of corn shelled from ears like this.
[Draw the ear of corn, making first a solid yellow background for the
ear and then putting in the fine lines with brown or black.] He has
every reason to believe that when the harvest time comes he will reap
a crop of many hundredfold, because each kernel is expected to send up
a little green shoot, like this, and each stalk is capable of bearing
at least one ear of corn. [Quickly draw the ground line in brown and
the corn shoot in green, completing Fig. 25.] And this shoot will grow
larger and larger until the stalk is completed, and as time goes on
and the harvest time comes, the corn will hang in generous ears
thereon. [With broad sweeps of green, and, if you wish, a touch of
brown, complete Fig. 26. This includes covering part of the ear with
green to form the husk.] Note especially this fact, that the farmer,
when he plants the seed, believes that God will send the summertime,
when the corn will grow to its fullness, and also the autumn, when the
harvest is ready. Just think what would happen if we had no summer or
autumn--just the springtime. Do you not see that we would soon starve?
We would plant the seed and there would be no harvest.
[Illustration: Fig. 26]
"Let us see how very much like this are our very own lives. We do not
have a springtime and a summer and an autumn and a winter of life
every year. No, we have but one of each during our lives, if we reach
old age. Springtime is our childhood, summer is our young manhood and
young womanhood, autumn is our middle age and winter comes when the
hair is white and the footsteps faltering. The first part of a full
life is the seedtime, and the latter half is the harvest-time. Some
of us may think that we may, while we are young, form habits that are
bad and expect to get rid of them before the harvest-time. Still
others of us do not seem to find out very early in life that there is
a seedtime and a harvest-time, and we realize it only after we have
reached the harvest period, and then we cannot change the character of
the seed we have to reap.
"But that which is true of the one who has sown the seeds of wrong in
his younger years is just as true of him who has sown good seeds in
his childhood and youth. There is no more comforting thought than that
which comes with the assurance that God will send the rich harvest if
we sow early in life the seeds of purity of living and the seeds of
loving kindness.
"The wrong thoughts which try to crowd into our childhood and youth
are like the weeds which threaten to destroy the good grain, and
sometimes succeed. Let us watch them carefully and uproot them.
"The Christian welcomes the thought that there is to be a
harvest-time. The sinner hates the thought; he would that his entire
life be a seedtime; but it cannot be. The law of seedtime in life is
just as firmly fixed as are the seedtime and harvest of nature. Let us
learn the lesson. It means life or death to you and to me."
THE TWO FLAGS
--Rally Day
--War
Both of Them Inspire Us to the Best Living--An Illustration with
Music.
THE LESSON--That the same spirit which brings success in war must
animate the fighters against evil.
Rally Day, which is observed at the opening of the autumn activities
of most schools, has become one of the greatest days of the Sunday
School year. It should be made a glad occasion of reunion and
resolution. This talk is unique, in that it combines music with the
speaking and the drawing.
~~The Talk.~~
"It was fifty years ago, boys and girls, that the terrible war between
the North and the South was in progress. On both sides the soldiers
were bravely loyal to their cause, for the reason that each great army
believed it was right; each side rallied round its flag--and loyalty
was the thing most necessary. In most conflicts, as in the case of one
nation fighting with another, it is only necessary to bring a war to a
point where the weaker is convinced of the superior strength of its
enemy. Then the war ends and the weaker is still a nation and has lost
only that which was destroyed during the course of the struggle,
together with that which may he demanded as concessions by the
victorious army. Both nations retain their existence as before. It was
not so with the struggle between the North and the South. Before this
terrible war could end, it was necessary that one or the other of the
fighting governments be wiped out entirely _as a nation_.
Otherwise there could never have been any peace. This is what made the
war one of the most terrible in the history of the world.
"It was a time when loyalty was demanded by both sides to the
conflict, when men were summoned to rally round their flags. On the
side of the North the soldiers bravely gathered in hosts of hundreds
of thousands around this flag, which is now beloved throughout our
reunited states (while the South was just as true and brave and
sincere in the belief that they were right, in their convictions, and
for which they fought).
[As you draw the United States flag, in red, white and blue, Fig. 27,
have the school sing "The Red, White and Blue," or have the song sung
as a solo or played by orchestra, pianist or organist. This makes a
very effective feature, as some time is required to draw the flag. Be
careful to construct the flag properly. To save time, use only
thirteen stars.]
[Illustration: Fig. 27]
"Why did the boys in blue rally round this flag? It was not because of
its beauty, even though we think it the handsomest flag in all the
world; it was not because it was made of valuable materials. No--it
was because it stood for something--for liberty, for unity. And they
knew that in order to uphold the principles for which it stood they
must cling together and fight manfully. Each might fight bravely by
himself, but disaster would come unless they worked together and in
harmony.
"We, today, are like the boys in blue in the dark days of the war.
We, too, have a flag which we love dearly--the banner of the cross.
[While you draw the conquest flag, use the song "The Banner of the
Cross" in the same manner as before. When completed your drawing will
resemble Fig. 28. Use blue for the body of the flag and red for the
cross.]
[Illustration: Fig. 28]
"This is the banner round which our school rallies today. We have come
together once more to strengthen our army of boys and girls to fight
against wrong. And our littlest fighters are the best fighters we
have. Why? Because it is a warfare that never ends and the little ones
have many more years in which to fight than the older ones have. And,
strangest of all, the weapons most effective are kindness, love,
prayer and steadfastness--these will drive away the great enemy of us
all--sin. The boys in blue rallied around their flag because it
represents our country, the land we love so well. We rally around this
flag because it represents everything that is best here on earth and
in heaven. Let us be loyal to these two beautiful banners. We cannot
be true to one without being true to the other.
"Let us make this school year the best we ever knew. We can do it if
we will be true to everything for which these two flags stand--the red
for love, the white for purity and the blue for loyalty."
[It is suggested that the pupils be presented with small American and
conquest flags as souvenirs. These are inexpensive and may be procured
from Sunday school supply houses. Celluloid buttons, displaying the
two flags, would be acceptable souvenirs of the day.]
THE CROSS
--Salvation
--Repentance
An Illustration Which Has Inspired Many to Hopefulness and Victory.
THE LESSON--That a complete surrender to Christ is the only
successful way to purify a sinful life.
This illustration, in varied form, has been used by speakers for many
years. It is here given, however, in a new presentation, with a hope
that the revision may be helpful to others in spreading its
usefulness. If paper is used, attach several thicknesses to your
drawing board and provide yourself with a sharp penknife. If used as a
blackboard illustration, an eraser will be needed.
~~The Talk.~~
"It is a good deal safer, boys, for you to walk the streets with your
thumb in your mouth than with a cigarette there. The thumb can't hurt
you, but the cigarette is bound to. I heard, once upon a time, of a
young man who lived in a good home--maybe just as good as yours--who
fell into the cigarette habit. I can't understand why a boy, when he
knows what a terrible thing the cigarette habit is, will not leave the
thing alone. But, like some whom you may know, this boy failed to heed
the many warnings and, before he was aware of it, the deadly habit had
him firmly in its grasp. I will ask one of the boys to please spell
the word 'Habit' for me. [As each letter is repeated put it down on
the drawing sheet. If you have previously outlined the entire picture,
the location of the cross will determine the location of the letter T,
in the center, as the T is later changed into a cross. Place the other
four letters in proper relation to the letter T, completing Fig. 29.]
[Illustration: Fig. 29]
"Now, then--one day this young man awoke to the fact that he must rid
himself of his terrible habit if he would amount to anything in the
world. He was working in a distant city, and there, alone, how do you
suppose he started in to get rid of his habit? He did it this way: He
made up his mind to wipe it out gradually by cutting down the number
of cigarettes which he smoked each day. So he started in. The first
day he smoked two less than he did the day before--cut out some, you
see. [With your penknife cut out the letter H and throw it away.] You
will observe that although he cut out some of his habit, he had A BIT
left. The next day he did the same thing, by cutting out two
more. [Cut away the letter A.] Although he had a BIT of the habit
left, he felt somewhat encouraged and declared to himself that he
could cut it all out if he kept at it. But he didn't know how hard it
would be to 'keep at it.' The next day he cut out a little more [Cut
away the letter B], but the desire to smoke the deadly cigarette was
still strong. He was inclined to give up in discouragement, for he had
now found that cutting _out_ wasn't cutting _off_ and that he
still had IT. Not until now did he feel his helplessness, for the
habit was still strong upon him. He needed a friend--a friend who
could help him in his earnest wish to become once more true and
pure. And a friend came. It was one who knew Christ and His power to
save everyone who turns to Him for help. Clearly this friend revealed
to him the truth, that if he would master his habit he must master
himself. Boldly he took the glad step, and, like all humble followers
of Jesus, he gave himself into His loving care, to guide and to direct
his life. With this step came active work for Christ, and it was then
that the letter I was removed [Cut out the I] and a new vision burst
on his sight, for the last remnant of his enemy faded away in the
transformation of his life to Christian service. [Give the T a touch
with black, converting it into a cross; then continue the drawing to
complete Fig. 30. Use black for the hill and circle; outline the cross
in red; use orange in broad strokes for the rays emanating from the
cross.]
[Illustration: Fig. 30]
"This was the vision. It can come to every boy and girl. It has come
to countless thousands. To this boy of whom we speak it came to save
him from failure and death. No longer did the dread habit control
him. The battle was won, not by his own strength, but through Christ,
who strengthened him. Such strength will be yours every time you need
it to help and to keep you.
"And let us think for a moment of the great service of the friend who
led this young man to see the vision. Are we a friend to those who
need us? 'Brethren,' says Paul, 'if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye
which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness,
considering thyself lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's
burdens.'
"May we ever be ready to lend a helping hand."
EASTER LILIES
--Easter
--Resurrection
Their Introduction into America has Spread Perfume and Beauty
Everywhere.
THE LESSON--That, like the lily, Christ gave up His life that His
followers should multiply in the earth.
It is difficult, as teachers of children are aware, to impart the
significance of Easter to those who are too young to be acquainted
with death and the hope of a resurrection. Many teachers find it best
to confine the thought to the phenomena of nature as revealed in plant
life and to make such applications to the spiritual as conditions seem
to permit. Easter is the most precious day of the year, for without it
there would be no Christmas, because Christmas is celebrated only as
the birthday of Him who arose from the dead. Without it, the world
would be in the darkness of despair and disappointment which possessed
the disciples as they turned from the cross to resume their former
occupations or to hide themselves from the taunts of their
tormentors. Hence, we must make the best possible use of it. This
illustration possesses no new thought; in fact, there is nothing new
except as we put into it the newness of our own enthusiasm and
earnestness.
~~The Talk.~~
"On this beautiful Easter morning I want to tell you of a lady who has
done a good deal to help us enjoy this day. But for her, I believe, we
would not have had any of these lovely lilies which represent the
purity of the life of the risen Savior. I do not know the name of this
lady. But I do know that one day she stepped from a steamer at a wharf
in her home city of Philadelphia, and that she had been on a visit to
the Bermuda Islands, which are six hundred miles out in the Atlantic
Ocean. Perhaps you know that the Bermuda Islands are noted as the
place where they raise very large onions, which are imported to the
United States. An onion, you know, is a bulb. Well, this lady carried
with her two bulbs. They weren't Bermuda onions, either, as they were
too small for that. She took these two bulbs to a friend who was a
florist and asked him to plant them. [Draw the bulb in black. Fig. 31.]
This was in the year 1875. The bulbs soon sent up strong green shoots
and after a while blossomed as beautifully in their strange
surroundings as they would have done in their former home. [Complete
the drawing of the lily stalk in green; also the lilies, using fine
black lines as outlines.] To us these beautiful flowers seem like old
friends, because we have known them so long, but these Easter lilies,
blossoming in Philadelphia, were the first to spread their sweet
perfume in this country.
[Illustration: Fig. 31]
"Before that time, there was a lily known as the Easter lily, but
whose right name is the lilium candidum or Madonna lily. This latter
name comes from the fact that in one of the paintings of the Madonna
she holds one of these lilies in her hand. It, also, is pure white,
and similar in form to the Easter lily of today except that it is more
bell-shaped.
"During the first four years, these two bulbs in Philadelphia produced
one hundred new bulbs. But what had become of the original bulbs? Ah,
don't you know that when the bulb produces new bulbs the original bulb
dies? Yes, when the new bulbs form at the sides of the old bulb, the
one which gave them life perishes--in fact, the first bulb gives up
its life that the others may live. [Draw the outer bulbs as in
Fig. 32.] And while it does so, it spreads the perfume and the beauty
of its flowers to delight everyone who sees them.
[Illustration: Fig. 32]
"From these first bulbs brought to America has come much of the beauty
which is now so widespread at Easter time. The earth is full of the
perfume of the Easter lily today.
"How typical is this little illustration of the Savior whose
resurrection we celebrate today. While He was on the earth, the beauty
of his life brightened everyone, and all that time He knew that He
must give up his life that we might live.
"How typical also of our lives may this Easter lily be. What seems
more lifeless than the bulb of a lily? Plant it, bury it, and lo! it
is resurrected into a thing of wondrous beauty. That which seemed like
its tomb has proven to be the gateway into true life. Thus our faith
gives us the blessed assurance, with Paul, that 'if we believe that
Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will
God bring with Him.'"
THE WOUNDED TREE
--Steadfastness
--Constancy
It Tells the Story of Courage and Patience that Approaches the
Sublime.
THE LESSON--That steadfastness in the right not only keeps the life
upright but it restores the repentant one to righteousness.
Each one of us needs the quality called steadfastness--not the
obstinacy which denies us the right to judge fairly every condition
about us, not the bigotry which prevents us from a charitable
consideration of the views of other people--but the steady adherence
to positive Christian principles which keep us constant in our faith
and unwavering in our hold on heavenly virtues.
~~The Talk.~~
"Today, we are going to talk about steadfastness. And what does it
mean to be steadfast? It means that with God's love to protect us
against every temptation, we shall never willingly do anything to
grieve Him. A life ruled by this power may grow to be so truly in
harmony with the spirit of the Master that even though the waves of
trouble dash wildly against it, it will continue to stand firmly,
because it knows that 'Jehovah will give grace and glory and no good
thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.'
"We shall turn to Nature for our object lesson today. We might select
the mighty oak, 'the king of the trees,' to represent the stalwart
Christian life which not only withstands the storms, but which, as it
strives against the winds, sends its mighty roots ever deeper into the
earth; and we might choose as the type of the weak and sinful life the
bay tree which does not send its roots deep into the earth and which
is in danger of being torn away by every passing storm. But we shall
look not at these but at two other trees which are described by Julia
Ellen Rogers in her beautiful book, 'Among the Trees.' Says this
author, 'There is something almost sublime in the patience and courage
of plants!' Doesn't that sound strange? The idea of claiming that
plants are courageous and patient! But the writer goes on to prove her
words. One tree of which she writes was thrown prostrate upon the
ground, crushed down by another tree which fell upon it. There it lay,
with some of its roots torn loose from the earth and drying in the
heat of the sun. It was left there in the forest to die. [As you
speak, draw Step A of Fig. 33.] The writer tells also of a small
poplar tree which grew on the sloping side of a mountain. One day,
when there was a heavy landslide, the rush of boulders and earth tore
the tree from its place and carried it a considerable distance down
the side of the mountain. When it stopped sliding, it was left with
its top downward, while its roots were lifted toward the sky. [Draw
Step B of Fig. 33.] In the rush of the earth, a quantity of soil was
spread over a part of the roots. If anyone had seen the tree then, he
would have declared that it must surely die.
[Illustration: Fig. 33]
"But let us turn again to the book. The writer says, 'A tree thrown
down may die of its wounds, but if it does not die it seeks to assume
an erect position. As long as there is life, there is inspiration,'
and, we might add, a reaching upward! Do you get the idea? Even if a
tree is thrown down, wounded near to its death, _it tries its best
to rise, to rise again--to stand upright_! This truth is shown by
what these two trees did. This first one sent an entirely new tree
straight up from the roots, while the old part lay on the ground
dead. [Add lines to complete Step C of Fig. 34.] This second one was
so determined to grow that it sent out a little sprout and started it
to climb straight upward toward the sky; it developed into a strong
tree. [Draw lines to complete Step D of Fig. 34; this finishes the
drawing.]
[Illustration: Fig. 34]
"What a splendid lesson there is for us in these true stories from the
forest and the mountain. Perhaps, in our weakness, we have not lived
as closely to the Master as we should have done, and have become
prostrated by our temptations. But there is one mighty to save. It is
for us to reach upward in thought, in word and deed. Then will come
the sunshine of his loving kindness to give us strength to rise toward
Him. The tree, wounded and cast down, can never return to its first
condition, but it does its best to rise. We, if we be prostrated by
sin, can never rise to be as perfect as we would have been if we had
shunned the evil thing; but in humility and service we may rise to
receive the Master's 'Well done,' and we may be assured of His tender
care if we do our best.
"Let us ever keep our thoughts on Him who 'is able to succor them that
are tempted.'"
A FIRM FOUNDATION
--Lincoln's Birthday
--Fortitude
The Secret of Lincoln's Steadfastness in the Midst of Tremendous
Trials.
THE LESSON--That the Bible teaching of childhood fortifies manhood.
If it is not your custom to observe Lincoln's birthday, you will find
this illustration valuable for Mother's day and other occasions.
~~The Talk.~~