THIS is a lesson showing how important it is to copy Christ, not
Christians. Many go astray in their life and conduct because they do
not follow the copy. There is a gospel copy book. Christ is that book.
Follow His words and your life will not be crooked, and what you do
and say will cause people who watch you to say "He is following the
copy. He has studied well his lesson in the Gospel Copybook." Write
the word "Christian" in large letters at the top of the blackboard and
ask a tall boy to copy it as exactly as possible. After this is done,
cover up the original line, and ask another boy to copy the copy. Keep
covering up all but the last line, having various ones to copy till
six or seven have been made. Now take off the covers and compare them
with the original. You will note every copy is different from each
other and all different from the original, because each child looked
at some one else's writing and not at the original. We are apt to copy
each other's mistakes and example. This we do when we look at
Christians, and try to do as they do instead of taking Christ as our
example.
One morning a business man who lived in the suburbs was hastening to
catch the train, which he supposed was almost due. It was important
that he should go to town, but, as he was walking along in nervous
haste, he saw a gentleman ahead of him, walking with deliberation and
ease. They always took the same train, so he watched him and not his
watch. But to his great dismay, he saw the train come in and go out,
and they both were left. The watch of the man he followed was five
minutes slow. He learned his lesson--follow no man--watch the watch
and the schedule, and go straight ahead. Run yourself on railroad
time. That is good business sense for the traveler. Jesus has given us
a gospel copy book. Here it is. It is the New Testament. Follow its
teachings and your life will be straight, and you will be like Jesus.
Follow Christ and not Christians." Be not content in saying "I am as
good as most Christians." You are not asked to be as good as even the
best Christians, but to be like Jesus.
=CHAPTER XXII
IN HIS KEEPING=
_Objects used: A nest of boxes; teaching the truth of the Divine
Security_