| First Book of Religion First Book of Religion Preface For the use of parables as a means of conveying religious truth we have sufficient authority, and few people will question the value of the story method of instruction, but the days have gone by when children honestly enjoyed moralizing, if indeed they ever did. Much must be left to the teacher’s tact and good sense in the handling of the following stories, for, as a famous educator has said, it spoils the fairy pudding to pull out the moral plums. On the other hand, the point of the lesson should always be made definite and clear by questions and discussion pertinent to the subject. Hence each story is followed by a few questions designed to stimulate the child’s own thought and expression.
HELPS FOR TEACHERS. 1. THE KING WHO WAS NEVER SEEN. Introductory Talk. Read the Lesson . LESSON 1 THE KING WHO WAS NEVER SEEN.
88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 A long, long time ago, according to an old fairy story, there lived an emperor in China, and he had the most splendid palace in the world. It was made of crystal so thin and delicate that one had to take care how one touched it. In the garden were wonderful flowers, and to some of them silver bells were tied to make people notice how lovely they were.
TEACHER’S HELPS Introductory Talk. Every race of people has its own story of creation. The Bible people had their story (read Genesis i. 1, 3, 5, 9-11, 14, 16, 17, 21, 25, 26, 27). In Guatemala, on the other side of the earth, was another sacred book, and it had a similar story. "In the beginning there was nothing but sky and sea. Then they who gave life spoke. They said, 'Earth,' and in a minute it was formed." Another story said that it came from a magic egg laid by a mysterious bird from far-off space. Still another was that the world was at first like a great tree, as high as the sky. At first people were afraid of everything that they did not understand. If we were to take a company of little children from some distant farm to the city, think how many things they would be afraid of. The shrieking locomotive, the cars without horses, the trains running in the air and under the ground, —wouldn't these send terror to their hearts if seen for the first time? Then people began to tell stories to account for the things they saw and could not understand. Why did the sun go across the sky every day? "Because he is a god who drives about in his chariot," said the Greeks. "Because he is a ferryman, and paddles his boat to the other shore of the heavens," said the Egyptians. The Hottentots said that he was once a man who gave out light from his body as a firefly does, and that some mischievous boys threw him into the sky. The Mexicans had a better story than that. They said that the sun was once a man living in a world lighted only by the fires that people made. Leaping into the flames and then into the sky while he was still ablaze, he was able to give light to all the earth. In India story-tellers explained thunder and lightning in this way: Up in the sky lives a great dragon who, when he is thirsty, drinks all the water in the clouds. Then the god Indra comes to the rescue of the poor earth-folk. When the dragon has driven together the clouds like cows ready to be milked, and the sky is black with them, great Indra goes forth with his swift sharp sword and drives the dragon away. The sword flashes in the heavens, the roar of the fighting is heard, and then the clouds give their rain to the parched earth. None of these stories agrees with what we know to be true to-day. Many wise men think that once there was a cloud of flaming mist and gas; that it slowly formed into balls of fire, like our sun; that some of these balls hardened and cooled and became solid like the moon, and that some, like the earth we live on, are only hard on the outside, and are still fiery in the center. And this sounds like a fairy tale, too. But there is good reason for believing it to be true. 88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888 LESSON 3 The Story of Prometheus. The other brother had busied himself in planning gifts for the animals he had made. He gave strength to the lion, en-durance to the camel, beauty to the panther, loyalty to the dog, independence to the cat; but now he found himself with nothing left to give. "Alas!" he said to his brother, "I have given away all my blessings. Now we have nothing to bestow upon this, the most wonderful of all our creatures." But Prometheus was not discouraged. He seized a stick of pine, and, climbing up into the heavens, lighted it at the sun. Coming swiftly back, he placed the glowing torch in the hands of the man. "By this gift I have made you the ruler of all the others," he said. And man, with the help of fire, has indeed made himself master of all. Is this a true story?
TEACHER’S HELPS IV. THE STORY OF CANUTE. Introductory Talk. Did you ever watch anybody train a puppy so that he would be a good dog when he grew up? One of the first things that he has to learn is to obey. It is one of the first lessons that everybody has to learn. If the puppy were a little wild wolf instead of a tame dog, he would have to learn just the same. Whom would he have to obey? We all find out that there are laws everywhere that we must obey. When a baby puts his hand too near a hot stove, he learns one of God's laws, —that fire will burn. God's laws are the same everywhere. Fire will burn you; water will drown you unless you know another law and can keep on top of the water; the wind will tip your boat over if you disobey the laws of sailing. We call the pain or suffering that comes from a broken law punishment. No one, no matter how rich or powerful he may be, can break God's laws without being punished. [Read Story and ask Questions.] Suppose that a man should bring an airship here and allow us to go up in it. Not one of us would know what all the little screws and levers and valves mean, and we should obey every word the "captain" said. We should get up and sit down and move over just as he told us to do. It would be very foolish if we tried to do as we pleased, for we might spoil everybody's pleasure, including our own. What is punishment for? To teach us to remember. When we have been hurt or disappointed, do we remember better than if nothing happened when we disobeyed? If we are careless and burn our fingers, that is our punishment. If we are late and lose some pleasure, that is our punishment. And are we not more likely to be careful and prompt the next time? The little wild creatures in the woods are taught to obey because they cannot grow up-in safety unless they do. We obey because wiser people are looking out for us just as the mother deer or rabbit looks out for her little ones. LESSON 4 THE STORY OF CANUTE Once upon a time there lived in England a king, whose name was Canute. He was a powerful king, and his servants and officers were always praising him for his success. "You are the greatest man in the world," they said to him. "Whatever you undertake is sure to succeed. No one would ever dare to stand in your way." The king grew tired of these speeches, and one day he made up his mind to teach his followers a lesson. They were praising him as usual, and one of them said: "O king, you are all-powerful. Even the winds and the waves obey you." "Do they indeed?" said Canute. "Let us go down to the shore and see what happens." So they set his royal chair upon the beach and gathered about him. The tide was coming in, and the little waves ran higher and higher up the sand, and finally came close to the king's feet. "Go back!" said Canute in a stern tone. "Go back! I command you to come no further." But of course the waves came steadily on. They crept up around the royal chair, and wet the royal feet and even the royal robe. Canute stood up and faced his foolish courtiers. "You see," he said, "how helpless a great king may be when he meets a power greater than his own. There is only one will that is all-powerful, and that is God's." Did you ever try to build a dam in a brook, or a sand fort to keep out the sea? What happened when the water reached the top of it? How do we cross rivers or the ocean? Do we try to stop the rivers or sweep aside the ocean? Can we work well in the world if we go against God's laws? TEACHER’S HELPS V. THE STORY OF ICARUS. Review the talk of last week a little, and ask for the children's own ideas of punishment. Speak of the laws of a city or a school, and why they are made. Introductory Talk. Ought we to make people obey us for our pleasure? Is it right to make your little brother or sister do errands for you, or to make your dog do tricks when he is tired and would rather not? In such cases willing service is better than obedience. Is your mother unkind when she forbids you to do something which she thinks will hurt you? How have people learned what kinds of food they can eat? Isn't obedience an easier way of learning than some others? [Read Story and ask Questions.] LESSON 5 THE STORY OF ICARUS Here is another wonder-story that the mothers and fathers in ancient Greece used to tell to their children. There was once a man named Daedalus (de'dalus) who was wonderfully clever in making all kinds of things with his hands. It was he, according to the story, who first thought of putting sails on a boat. He invented the gimlet and the saw and the potter's wheel. Indeed, there was never a more ingenious worker than this same Daedalus. One day the king of a neighboring island sent for Daedalus and asked him to make a winding path, or maze, with so many twists and turns in it that no one, once in it, could find his way out again. Daedalus set to work and made a marvelous maze. The passages wound in and out and back and forth in a fashion that would have bewildered anybody. When it was all done, Daedalus and his son Icarus (ic'-a-rus), who was with him, tried to find their way out. To their dismay, they made no progress at all. Daedalus had certainly succeeded in his task. Naturally, he was not very well pleased to be a prisoner in his own trap. Day after day he thought about some means of escape. At length an idea came to him. Gathering a large quantity of feathers, Daedalus made two pairs of wings, like those of a great bird. These he fastened to his son's shoulders and to his own with huge lumps of wax. "Wave your wings gently, my son," he said to Icarus, "and you will find that you can fly like a bird. Remember, however, one important thing. Do not fly too high, or the sun's heat will melt the wax, and your wings will drop off." Icarus cautiously moved his wings to and fro, and, to his delight, found that he was rising in the air like a huge bird. Up, up he went, out of the bewildering maze, above the trees, above the houses. Oh, this was glorious, glorious! "Be careful, my son!" Daedalus called after him, but Icarus was so excited that he did not listen. Higher, still higher he soared, above the clouds, into the fierce heat of the upper sunshine, and then, alas, the wax began to melt. Too late the unhappy boy felt his wings begin to loosen and slip from his shoulders. He turned his flight downward, but long before he had reached a place of safety the wax had ceased to hold, and he fell headlong into the sea and was drowned. Do little chickens come when their mother calls them? How about the creatures that live in the woods? Do they have to obey while they are little? Why? Does everybody have to obey sometimes ? When the little rabbits and foxes and other wild creatures grow older do they have to decide for themselves what they shall do ? Do children, too, have to learn to decide for themselves ? If Icarus had been willing to think, would he have been drowned ? If we think what will happen next, shall we be less likely to make mistakes in doing things ? Can you make up a story about somebody who didn't stop to think what might happen ? TEACHER’S HELPS VI. A TRUE FAIRY STORY There are countless suggestions for the development of this lesson in things close at hand. Bring to the class a bird's nest, a bit of chalk, a shell, a rose hip, a crystal, or even a pebble from the shore, if you can make an interesting story about it. Whatever is chosen should be carefully studied, but there is no harm in confessing ignorance before childish questioners. Let it be felt that we are students of God's great mysteries, and that even the wisest men do not understand all Nature's wonders. Ask the children to try during the week to make a bird's nest such as a sparrow builds, if you can find one for a model. The material is within easy reach, and the attempt is both interesting and instructive. Try to show that the life of every day is as truly wonderful as a fairy tale. Is it any more remarkable to a child that a bear should turn into a prince, as in Beauty and the Beast, than that an egg should turn into a chicken? If the sun rose at rare intervals, wouldn't people travel a long way to see it? [Read Story and ask Questions.]
LESSON 6 A TRUE FAIRY STORY Morris and his father had spent the afternoon in the country, and were on their way home, a little tired with their good time. "Let's sit down on this stone wall for a few minutes," said Morris. "A very good place," his father agreed. "We can amuse ourselves watching some of the most wonderful creatures in the world." Morris looked around him in amazement. There was a black and white cow in the pasture near by, but no other animal was in sight. "What are they?" he said. "Let me tell you a little about them first," said his father. "To begin with, they live in fairly large towns in houses several stories high, which they built, themselves. In these houses are long halls or galleries that go from one room to another, and roofed piazzas where the rain will not come in. There is a hospital for the sick ones and for those who are hurt. Nurses may be seen carrying the babies out into the sunshine or bringing them in very quickly if a sudden shower comes up. In the storerooms are various things to eat, and the whole village is always clean, tidy, and in good order." "Please, father, what are you talking about?" said Morris. "I can't see a house anywhere." "That is because you are looking in the wrong place," his father answered. "What is this at our feet, between us and the road?" "Why, that's only a big anthill," said Morris. "Exactly," said his father, "and, if I had spent many years, as some men have done, in studying the ways of the little folk who live in that hill, I could make a wonderful story for your amusement. Here is one which is quite true, though I fear you will find it as hard to believe as a fairy story. "An army of red ants had made their way into a piece of ground which belonged to some black ants. It was a valuable piece of ground, for there was an old oak tree just behind it, and plenty of little grubs and worms to eat. It was in the morning. The red army came marching quickly on, for it was still early, and they hoped to surprise their enemies while they were asleep. When the Reds were a few steps away from the anthill, they found the ground covered with bits of straw, fruit, grain, and worms. "'Ah,' they said, 'the Blacks have run away in the night, and in their hurry have dropped some of their provisions. This is a fine chance for us to get some breakfast.' But, while they were eating, the Blacks rushed out of their houses, fell upon the robbers, and, after taking many prisoners, drove away the rest in great disorder. Then the prisoners, under a strong guard, were made to pick up all the ends of straw, bits of fruit, etc., and to make the place as clean and tidy as possible. What do you think of all that, my son?" "Is it really true?" Morris cried, getting down to look more closely at the black ants who were running back and forth through the turf. "Who made them so wise, father?" "One who watches over us all," was the answer. "He who knows the language of all those creatures who cannot speak as we do, who talks softly with the little birds in the trees and with the fishes in the sea, who points out to them what is good to eat and what they must not touch, who teaches the spider to spin its web, the wasp to build its nest, and the bee to shape its cell. He is your Father and theirs." —From the French. How do you think the birds learn to build their nests? Where do they live in the winter? How do they find their way there? Bring to the class a shell or a nut or a seed of some kind. Do you know anything wonderful about it? Watch a fly as he crawls on the windowpane. Do you see anything wonderful in what he does?
VII. THE PEA BLOSSOM. Alice Freeman Palmer used to tell of giving the advice to a number of overworked tenement children to see something beautiful every day, and of one little girl's vain effort to find anything beautiful in her unlovely surroundings until she happened to catch the glint of the sunshine in the baby's hair. Try to show that the natural world, the world as God makes it, is beautiful. We are helping God when we do away with unsightly things; when we handle His flowers gently and keep His springs and rivers pure; when we plant trees to take the place of those that are cut down; and when we try to make the places that we live in clean and beautiful.
LESSON 7 THE PEA BLOSSOM. There were once five peas in one shell. They were green, and the shell was green, and so they believed that the whole world must be green also, which was a very natural conclusion. The shell grew, and the peas grew. They made the best of things, and sat all in a row. The sun was warm outside; and the peas, as they sat there, became thoughtful, for they felt that there must be something to do in the world. "Are we to sit here forever?" asked one. "We shall become hard by staying here so long." And so weeks passed by. The peas became yellow, and the shell became yellow. "All the world is turning yellow," they said, and perhaps they were right. Suddenly they felt a pull at the shell. It was torn off the vine, and slipped into the pocket of a jacket. "Now we shall soon be let out," said one,—just what they all wanted. "I wonder which of us will travel farthest," said the smallest of the five. "What is to happen will happen," said the largest pea. Crack! went the shell as it burst, and the five peas rolled out into the bright sunshine. There they lay in a child's hand. A little boy was holding them. He said that they were fine peas for his peashooter. And he put one in and shot it out. "Now I am flying into the world," said the pea. "Catch me, if you can." And he was gone. "I," said the next pea, "shall fly straight to the sun." And away he went. "Wherever we go, we will make ourselves comfortable," said the two next. And they fell on the floor, but they were put in for all that. "What is to happen will happen," said the last, as he was put into the pea-shooter. And, as he spoke, he flew up against an old garret window, and fell back into a little crack which was almost filled up with moss and soft earth. The moss closed over him, and there he lay, shut in indeed, but not forgotten by God. In the garret lived a poor woman, who worked hard for her living, and her only daughter, who was very delicate and weak. For a whole year she had been in bed. Quietly and patiently she lay there, alone all day long, while her mother was away at her work. Spring came, and early one morning the sun shone through the little window, and the sick girl looked out at the blue sky and the roofs of the houses. "Mother!" she cried. "What can that little green thing be that is peeping in at the window? It is moving in the wind." The mother went to the window, and looked out. "Oh!" she said. "It is a little pea-vine that has taken root here in the gutter, and is putting out its green leaves. How could it have found its way up here? Well, now you have a garden to amuse yourself with." So the bed of the sick girl was drawn near the window, and the mother went out to her work. "Mother, I believe I shall get well," said the girl, in the evening. "The sun has shone in here so bright and warm, and the little pea is thriving so well. Soon I shall go out into the sunshine again." "God grant it," said her mother. She propped up with a little stick the green plant that had given her child such pleasant hopes of life, and she tied the string to the window-sill, so that the vine might twine round it as it grew up. And it did shoot up. One might almost see it grow from day to day. "I believe that there is a flower coming," said the mother one morning. She remembered that for some time the little invalid had been stronger and more cheerful. She raised herself now with sparkling eyes to look at her little garden which held a single pea-vine. A week later there was a pink blossom on the little plant, and the maiden was sitting up by the open window in the warm sunshine. The day was like a festival to her, and she bent gently down and kissed the frail leaves. "Our heavenly Father has made the little pea-vine grow to bring joy to you and hope to me, my blessed child," said the happy mother, and she smiled at the pink flower. —Adapted from Hans Christian Andersen.
What keeps the seeds in the garden safe all winter? What makes them grow in the spring? What happens when we go to sleep? Do we stop breathing when we go to sleep? Who takes care of the baby in your house? Who takes care of the baby birds, —the baby lions? Suppose all the flowers in the garden were gray or black, should we enjoy them as much as we do now? Why do mothers like to make pretty clothes for their children? Do you think God likes to have us enjoy His beautiful world? What do you think is the prettiest flower? Which tree do you like best? Which season do you enjoy most? Why? What are the most beautiful things you see in winter? in spring? in summer? in autumn?
TEACHER’S HELPS IX. THE FIR TREE. Let the children make lists for themselves, or a list may be put upon the blackboard, of things that they are grateful for. This counting up of one's assets is a wholesome process and makes for contentment, which is not always the result of cataloguing our wishes and desires. Explain in a very simple way the civic blessings of peace and safety and education, the work of the police, the fire department, and the public schools. Introductory Talk If you had lived in the days when the first Thanksgiving was held in New England, what do you think your list would have been? The children had no books or pictures or toys except the playthings they made themselves; they were very far from having all they wanted to eat; their homes were uncomfortable, their clothes were few, there were no entertainments to go to, no drives to take; even walking was dangerous, for savage Indians might be lurking behind trees or bushes. They were a long way from the home country; they had had sickness and hardship. Yet they were thankful. What, do you suppose, were they thankful for? [Read Story and ask Questions.]
IX. THE FIR TREE. A little tree stood in a dim, dark wood, And looked all around her in grief Because her companions were gay to behold, And she could show never a leaf. "Alas!" said the tree, "I call it unfair That some should be gorgeously dressed, While I have only sharp needles to wear! I wish I could look like the rest! "The beach and the elm, the maple and oak, Have put on their prettiest green, But I am still wearing my last winter's suit, And it's really not fit to be seen. "If wishes came true, I should wish that to-night My needles would all turn to gold; How happy I'd be if every tree Could envy the fortune I hold!" The sun went to bed. The little tree slept, And was waked by the earliest light To find that her needles to glittering gold Had been changed in the hours of the night. "How lucky am I!" the little tree cried; But before the first evening came on Three robbers stole quietly out of the wood, And the little tree's leaves were all gone. "Oh, why did I ask for that glittering gold!" The little tree cried in distress. "Had my leaves been of glass, those robbers so bold Would never have stolen my dress." The little tree slept, and next morning she found To her glee that her wish had come true. Her leaves were of glass, and so cunningly made That no one could guess how they grew. But soon through the wood a mischievous breeze Went singing and laughing along; It played in the branches and swung in the trees, As it caroled its rollicking song. And the little tree's leaves were all dashed to the ground, Where they lay in a glistening heap; But the beech and the oak, the maple and elm, Were able their treasures to keep. "Oh for green leaves like theirs!" the little tree sighed: "I then should have nothing to fear." So fancy her joy when she found herself clad Exactly like those who stood near. But again did her happiness come to an end, For a poor, hungry goat, straying by, Was delighted to find, of the food that it liked, Such a fresh and abundant supply. The little tree shivered with terror and cold, And longed for her needles again. They grew in a night, and since then, I am told, She has never been heard to complain.
Are rich children always happy? Do those who have the most toys have the best time? What does it mean to "make the best of things "? When you feel discontented, does it make you happier to think of those who have more than you have, or of those who have less? Wouldn't some of the very things that you are dissatisfied with seem, good to you if they should be taken away from you altogether?
TEACHER’S HELPS X. LOST IN THE SNOW. [Read Story and ask Questions.] Additional Questions. Do boys and girls have chances to be faithful in their work? Suppose that you are left to take care of the baby or the house, or that you are sent on an errand and somebody asks you to come and play, how can you be faithful? How are children at school faithful when the teacher is busy or out of the room? For a parallel story tell that of the pilot who, when his vessel was burning, kept hold of the wheel and steered the boat safely to the shore; of the engineer who stuck to his post and saved his train, though he was terribly burned; or give some other instance of fidelity to duty. LESSON 10 LOST IN THE SNOW Jock was a sheep dog; that is, it was his business to take care of his master's sheep. The farm lay on bleak hillsides and moors of central Scotland, and it was no light task to look after seventy sheep. But, ever since the day when Jock had driven them safely through the main street of the city of Stirling, his master knew that he was to be trusted. You should have seen Jock that proud day, running at the heels of his flock, back and forth, back and forth across the busy street. Strange dogs barked at him, boys whistled to him, delightful sights and smells came to him through open shop doors, but he paid no attention to any of them. He ran after the foolish sheep who strayed over the curb to the sidewalk, and drove them back to their places. He gathered them in close ranks to let a wagon or a car go by, and, when they reached the open fields on the other side of the city, they were all safe and sound after their long trip. One winter day, long after this, Jock and his comrade Laddie were herding the flock on a moor at some distance from the farmhouse. A snowstorm had begun in the early morning, and the little white flakes came sifting down, faster and faster, as the day went on. One of the lambs was lame, and its mother would not stir from its side. The others huddled together to keep warm. Jock and Laddie drove them homeward as fast as they could, but it was slow work. The snow covered up the cart path and hid all the walls and fences. The two dogs could see nothing but the white banks around them. If they looked up toward the sky, the air seemed filled with dark, stinging flakes. And, oh, how cold it was! Once Laddie started to run home by himself across the fields, but a gentle nip from Jock reminded him what would be his punishment if that happened again. All day they toiled along, and the snow grew thicker every minute. At last the dogs stopped. They knew that they were lost, and that it was useless to go on. The flock bleated piteously, and crept close together for warmth and comfort. Laddie was worn out with cold and fear. As for Jock, he barked as loud as he could. It was the only way he could call for help. And at last their master found them. He had been looking for them ever since the snow began. Just as he was going home in despair, he heard Jock's sharp but weary little bark. You can fancy what a happy dog Jock was when, through the whirling flakes, he saw his master's big fur cap and cloak, and how he barked himself hoarse with joy when the helpless little lamb was cuddled close under the warm cape, and all the wanderers were on their way home. "Good dog!" said the master's beloved voice. "My good, faithful dog!" And Jock asked for no greater happiness than this, that he should have been found worthy of such praise. Why do sheep need looking after? Why was Jock a better sheep dog than Laddie? Would it have taken the dogs long to find their way home in the beginning of the storm if they had been alone ? Why did the sheep hinder them so much ? How can we make people trust us ? Suppose we sent a strange boy on an errand and he forgot it, or stopped to play, or failed to come back when he said he would, should we trust him again? Can we help forgetting? How?
TEACHER’S HELPS XI THE SHEPHERD. The children in this grade should be able by this time to read a little for themselves. Although it is unwise to make many of the lessons exercises in reading, it is desirable that occasionally the children should make use of their new powers and should contribute their share to the interest of the lesson. With a little help the sentences given may be read in turn by the class, and, though this may consume time, it is not time wasted. Speak of the different climates in which sheep live. In Scotland the shepherd sometimes has to face icy winds and driving snows; on our Western plains he must endure intense heat as well as cold; in Syria, where Jesus lived, the shepherds must guard their flocks from wild beasts and poisonous snakes, as well as from the blazing sun. Begin to teach the Twenty-third Psalm. It may take several Sundays for the class to learn it thoroughly. LESSON 11 THE SHEPHERD. For the Children to Read. A shepherd is a man who takes care of sheep. He stays with them all day long. He leads them from one pasture to another. The sheep know his voice. They follow him when he calls them. When the sun is hot, he keeps them under the trees. If they are thirsty, he finds a brook or a spring where they can drink. If wild animals come near, he drives them away. At night he takes his flock to the sheepfold. This has a stone wall around it. The shepherd stands at the door of the sheepfold. As the sheep go in, he counts them. Perhaps one little lamb is not there. It may have lost its way in the bushes or among the rocks. Then the shepherd says: "I must find that little lamb. It will die from cold and fright." So he shuts the door of the sheepfold and goes back over the hills. He calls again and again to the stray lamb. The night grows darker and darker. The shepherd is tired, but he will not go home. At last he hears a feeble little cry. He looks around him, but he can see nothing. Again he hears the little bleating cry. He makes his way through the thorns and bushes. At last he sees the lamb. It has slipped into a wide crack between two big rocks. It cannot move, but it bleats pitifully. The good shepherd lifts the little lamb in his tender arms. It is not afraid now. He carries it home to the fold. He bathes it with oil where it has been scratched and hurt. He gives it water from a big cup. Then he can lie down to sleep, for all his sheep are safe. What is a shepherd? What does he do for his sheep ? What would become of the sheep without him? Isn't a teacher a kind of shepherd? The Twenty-third Psalm. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou prepares! a table before me in the presence of mine enemies. Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
TEACHER’S HELPS XII. THE SHEPHERD BOY WHO BECAME KING. Read the story without any introductory talk and ask the questions following it. It is probable that to some of the children the story of David and Goliath is already familiar. Have it retold by one of them, if possible. Show how David's early training and his wholesome, outdoor life made him strong and self-reliant, ready to meet any difficulty, and able to help himself. This is a good place to draw a comparison between his sturdy independence and the helplessness of the spoiled child who has always had everything done for him. Teachers of this grade ought to lose no opportunity of developing self-help. Ask how many of the class can dress themselves, put on their rubber overshoes, etc.
Bring out the fact that we all have to train ourselves, and that if we are to make our lives worth living, we must try to be well and strong and capable. Show how Lincoln's early life gave him qualities that made him a great president.
LESSON 12 THE SHEPHERD BOY WHO BECAME KING
In Bethlehem of Judea there were many fine farms. One of the largest belonged to a man named Jesse. He had eight sons and three grandsons, so there were plenty of hands to help on that farm, you may be sure. The youngest son, David, had tasks to do as well as the rest, but what he liked best was to tend his father's sheep. He had three nephews who were not far from his own age, and I dare say they all went singing over the hills together, little dreaming that David would some day be a king, and that Joab and Asahel would be great captains in his army. David was a handsome lad, with red cheeks and a glint of red in his thick hair. He loved the outdoor life, with its constant changes, its hardships, and its excitements. He had had thrilling adventures taking care of his sheep, and he looked back with some pride to the day when he had killed a lion who was trying to devour them. He always carried his sling with him, and his heavy stick had been a very useful weapon, too. One day, while David was out in the fields with his sheep, an old man was seen coming over the hills, driving a cow. Instantly everybody in the village was in a great fright, though certainly nothing could have seemed more harmless than this wise-looking old man and his cow. "It is the prophet Samuel," men said to one another, "the greatest man in all Israel, he who makes King Saul tremble, he who can call down thunder and lightning from heaven." For they were very sure that Samuel had done this on one great occasion. So with much trembling the old men went out to meet Samuel, and asked him if anything was wrong. "Nothing is wrong," said Samuel. "But come with me, that we may worship the Lord together." So they all went with him to worship after their custom. And Samuel saw the older sons of Jesse in the village. "Are these all the sons you have?" asked Samuel. "I have one more," said Jesse. "He is keeping the sheep." "Send and fetch him," said the old man. "We will wait until he comes." So they sent and brought David to Samuel. His happy, boyish face, his red cheeks, his eager, winning way pleased the old man. This was the youth he was looking for, —brave, strong, and lovable. Lifting high in his hand a horn of precious oil, he poured it upon the lad, —a sign that he had picked him out for some high office. But he told no one what this office was to be. Nor did the boy David know that the day was not far away when he should be king.
What is a king? Do we have a king in this country? How do the English people choose their king? Could one man pick out a king for a great nation today? What kind of life had David led ? What made him look happy? What made his cheeks red? What made Samuel like him? Did taking care of the sheep make him tender and thoughtful? How? What does a king have to do? Would a shepherd boy learn some things that would be useful to a king? Do poor boys sometimes make the best men? Why?
TEACHER’S HELPS XIII. THE CHRISTMAS STORY—I. Introductory Talk.There was once a great emperor who ruled over a great country. He had armies all over the world trying to conquer more lands for his empire, and these soldiers needed so much money that he made a law that all his people must be taxed,— not only those who lived in the splendid city of Rome, but all the country folk, too, even those who lived in the little villages and on the farms of Syria, far across the Mediterranean Sea. In a village of Syria there lived a carpenter named Joseph and his wife Mary. When word was brought about the tax, Joseph said, "Now we shall have to make a journey to Bethlehem, for every man is to pay his tax in the city where his people have always lived." How do you think they made a journey in those days? There were no trains or automobiles or even carriages. It was too far to walk, —at least, Mary was not strong enough to go so far on foot. Probably Mary rode on a donkey and Joseph walked beside her. Certainly, both of them were tired when they reached Bethlehem, and they must have been disappointed to find that there was no room for them at the inn. But the landlord said that there was plenty of fresh, sweet hay in the stable, and he would try to make them comfortable there. That was the first Christmas Eve, for that night was the birth-night of Jesus, the Christ Child. And, when Mary had wrapped the baby in its little clothes, she laid him gently in a manger for his first sleep. Note. —After the story read the hymn "While shepherds watched their flocks by night."
LESSON 13 THE CHRISTMAS STORY I.
The Shepherds
A long time ago, in a country far away from here, there were shepherds who wandered over the hills with their flocks. It was a warm country. The sun shone on the wide meadows and grassy hillsides, and covered them with flowers. Gay little brooks ran down to the rushing river. Quiet pools gleamed under the green trees. Bees and birds and tiny wild creatures darted in and out among the leaves and flowers. At night it was still warm and dry. The great silent moon came up above the hilltops. The stars twinkled overhead. All was peaceful and quiet. On some of these warm nights the shepherds and their flocks stayed out of doors. The long grass was as soft as any bed could be, and the sweet night wind was refreshing after the heat of the day. It was quite as pleasant to sleep in the open air as under a roof, and both the sheep and the shepherds were used to being far from home. One night, as the shepherds lay with their flocks on the hillside, watching the stars as they climbed into the heavens overhead, a sudden glory lit up the whole sky. Did they dream, or did they hear a voice say: "Be not afraid; for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign unto you. Ye shall find a babe lying in a manger." Then came a great chorus of heavenly voices, singing and praising God. When all was still again, one of the shepherds spoke: "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing that is come to pass." So they came with haste into Bethlehem, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. What was the baby's name? Why was he lying in a manger?
TEACHER’S HELPS XIV. THE CHRISTMAS STORY—II. Introductory Talk.For many years the Jewish people had been looking for some great man who should become their king and make them as powerful as they had been under king David. He was to be called the Christ, and poets and prophets had said that when he was born strange things would happen. So, when Jesus grew up and men began to call him the Christ, many wonderful stories were told of his babyhood. Last week we read one of them. Everybody who knew Jesus was eager to explain how it was that he was so different from other men. We do not have to believe every word of these stories, but we must remember that they could only have been told about some one who was deeply loved and reverenced. For another story of his babyhood read the second chapter of Matthew. [Read Story and ask Questions.] Explain the words priest, scribes (writers), fell down (knelt), frankincense and myrrh (valuable, sweet-scented gums burned in the temple worship to make a fragrant smoke). Such a .gift was like a present of jewels. Describe the passage of caravans across Palestine on the road from Damascus to Egypt,—how they looked, what they carried, etc. From the East came men of learning as well as costly merchandise. LESSON 14 THE CHRISTMAS STORY II The Wise Men
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. And when Herod the king had heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea; for thus it is written through the prophet. , . Then Herod privately called the wise men, and learned of them exactly what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search out exactly concerning the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word, that I also may come and worship him." When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo! the star which they saw in the east went before them till it came and stood over the place where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they came into the house they saw the young child with Mary his mother; and they fell down and worshiped him, and, opening their treasures, they offered unto him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. From The Bible. Why do you think Herod was troubled? Did he really want to worship the little new king of the Jews? Did the wise men go back, as he asked them to do? (See Matthew ii.) Do you think they believed what Herod said to them? Did Jesus become a king when he grew up?
TEACHER’S HELPS XV. THE JOURNEY TO EGYPT. It must be made plain to the child that the writers of this and similar legends were not merely romancing, but that their earnest wish was to show how lovable and sweet the little Jesus was. They told what they thought might have happened to so wonderful a child. We cannot say what foundation the stories had, but we all know that they would never have been told about any one unless he had been exceedingly tender and loving in his nature and very dear to those who knew him. And that is all we need to know. One story tells of Jesus at play with the older boys of the village. The children made a number of sparrows from some clay which they had found by the side of a brook. When the clay birds were finished, the boys placed them in a row on a wall to dry. "What shall we do now that they are finished?" said one. "Let us throw stones at them," said another. "Oh, no!" said Jesus. "Why should we make things and then destroy them? Suppose we let them fly away and be happy." The boys laughed at this idea, but Jesus stooped down and breathed gently en the clay sparrows. In a moment they lifted their wings and flew away out of sight. His loving heart was unwilling that even a lump of clay should be nothing more. Make it clear that these are not Bible stories, but that they were taken from other books written about the same time. No one now believes them to be true, but they show how tenderly the old writers of them thought of the boy Jesus.
LESSON 15 THE JOURNEY TO EGYPT
It is told of Jesus in some very old books lhat, when he was a baby, he was taken by his father and mother into Egypt to escape the anger of the wicked King Herod. It was a long and tiresome journey through deserts and lonely places where lions roared and tigers growled. Joseph was an old man, and Mary was not strong. They were often hungry and thirsty and tired. On this journey, says the story, which, you must remember, is not a Bible story, all things waited on the loving child, and were eager to serve him. Even the wild beasts were friendly. Lions and panthers walked quietly beside Mary's donkey, while the child's little hand rested first on one fierce head, then on another. Wild goats let him ride on their backs, and gave him milk to drink. But sometimes the weary travelers were alone in the great desert,—alone with the dazzling sand, the glaring sun, and the dreary rocks. Once, so the story goes on in the old book, no rain had fallen for many days. The child and his parents were weary and thirsty, and the hot sun beat upon their heads. Suddenly Mary saw in the distance a lofty tree. "Let us go quickly and rest in the shade," she said, and they made what haste they could to the spot. The mother sat down, and took her baby in her lap. Looking up, she saw, high in the branches above her head, delicious dates, the sight of which made her more thirsty than before. "Alas!" she said, "if only the branches were not so high, or if some spring were hidden near-the roots of this beautiful tree!" Just then the child Jesus, looking up into the tree, smiled, as if he would say, "Help us, dear tree, so that we may not die with thirst!" Slowly the branches drooped and drooped, as if drawn downward by some hidden hand, and soon the fresh dates were within Joseph's reach. Nor was the tree content with this, for, when it had raised itself it again, sent out from its roots a cool stream of sparkling water. Then were their hearts glad, and they blessed God for His goodness. Again, as they journeyed, they were in danger of falling into the hands of wicked men. As they drew near a dreary place where bands of robbers were said to live, Joseph was terrified at coming upon a number of them asleep by the roadside. Two of the rough men started up, but the baby smiled at them and stretched out his little hands as if he wished them to take him. "Go in safety, for the child's sake," they said to Joseph, after speaking softly to each other for a few minutes. "We will not harm you." When the books in the Bible were put together, these stories were not used, because men did not think that they were true. Yet we like to read them, for we feel that, unless Jesus had been a dear and loving child, they would never have been told about him. Do you like to read some stories that are not true? What did the writer of this old story want us to think about Jesus? When we have a baby in our own house, isn't it easy to believe he is the most wonderful baby that ever was born?
TEACHER’S HELPS XVI. JESUS THE CHRIST. Bring to the class as many pictures as possible to make the lesson vivid. Pictures of Nazareth, of Jerusalem, of the temple, of Christ blessing little children, —all these help to make the story impressive. In telling the story of the life of Jesus, do not dwell upon details, lest these lose something of their interest and charm when they appear in their proper place in the course. Try to make it clear what it was that Jesus taught. Show that cruelty, selfishness, and pretending to be what one is not were the sins he preached against, and that these are still the sins of "respectable" people as they were in his time. Ask for instances (or give them) from every-day experience, —the abuse of horses or dogs, the leasing of little children, the desire to hold the best seat, the attempt to seem rich or important. Be careful that the instances given are not too personal. A sermon against sin need not call the sinners by name.
LESSON 16 JESUS THE CHRIST The baby Jesus grew up in the little house in Nazareth. His father was a poor man, and no doubt the boy's home would seem to the children of today very much less comfortable than theirs. It held no books or pictures, no piano, no dainty glass and silver, but only a few common dishes and pieces of furniture. Yet the boy who lived there is spoken of today with loving reverence in almost every country of the world. What did he do to make his name remembered for so many hundred years? Did he grow up to be very rich and great? No, he was always poor, and he was almost unknown outside his own neighborhood. Was he very brave or wise? Yes, but other men as brave and wise as he have been forgotten or remembered only with hatred. The reason that the name of Jesus is so loved is because of the love he taught and showed in his own life. It was an old, old country where he lived. Across it from one end to the other went the long trails that the caravans followed on their way from the East to Egypt. One famous city it had, — the city of Jerusalem, —and here were many wise men. Once, when Jesus was still a boy, he went up to Jerusalem with his father and mother. Probably it seemed to him a very grand and splendid place. As he roamed about through the courts of the temple, he heard some of these wise men talking together, and his eager face may have led them to speak to him. Soon he was talking with them, asking questions and making the men wonder at his sayings. Years went on, and still Jesus was thinking and wondering. Why was there so much anger and hatred in the world? Why were people so selfish? Why were the rich so unkind and unjust to the poor? Did God want the world to be a selfish, cruel place, where everybody looked out for himself, or did He want us to help each other? Was God tender and loving, or was He too far away to care about us? Jesus went to the village church or synagogue, and there he heard the priests say that God was a just judge and would punish those who disobeyed Him; but he never heard them say that God was a loving father and would forgive those who were sorry. Could he, perhaps, go and tell the people what he believed about God? What could he tell them that would make them kinder and gentler? Would they listen to him, —a poor countryman whom no one knew except his neighbors in the village where he lived? Well, he would try it, and he would try, too, to show people what kind of life they should live. So he began his teaching, —at first among some fishermen not far from his home, and then in the larger villages and towns. He preached in the synagogues and in the fields; he cured the sick; he comforted the sorrowful; he talked with sinners and made them long to be better men and women; he took little children in his arms and loved them; he told his followers to be kind and unselfish and willing to serve each other always. He told them that God loves us all just as a father loves his children, and that we ought to love Him. When they asked him how they could show their love for God, he told them to be helpful and loving to each other, especially to little children and to those who were weak and helpless. He said that God, who was so much wiser and greater than we, must be more loving too, and that the tenderest father we had ever seen was not so tender as our heavenly Father. The people heard him gladly and for three years Jesus went about doing good. Then he saw that the men who ruled his country were afraid of his power, and that, unless he stopped preaching, they might kill him. But he was not afraid to die. He was only afraid that what he had taught about God might be forgotten. So he chose some of his friends to go on with his work, and, when he was finally seized and put to death on the cross, he showed no fear or dread. He felt sure that only his body would die, and that he should live on forever. This is far from being the whole story of Jesus' life, but it shows why we follow his leadership today, so many, many years after his death. Of all the pure and noble lives in which God has shown us Himself, the life of Jesus is the purest and noblest. He did no wrong, he thought no unkindness, he feared no man, nor did he feel hatred toward any one. All men, rich or poor, were God's children and his brothers. He cared for them as a shepherd cares for his sheep, pitiful for their ignorance and their hurts and bruises, faithful to them even unto death. Why is Jesus often spoken of as the tender shepherd? What can we do to be like him? If everybody were unselfish and kind, wouldn't this world be a happier place? Can we help to make it so? How? What is the Golden Rule? Can you think of anything you ever saw done that would be what Jesus might have done if he had been there? The strict Jews believed that they were the only people that God loved. Did Jesus think so?
XVII THE MAGIC MASK Introductory Talk When a new boy or girl comes to school, do you usually know before long whether or not you are going to be good friends? Do you like some faces as soon as you see them? Why? Are the prettiest girls always the pleasantest ones to play with? Have you seen children who were angry as soon as anything went wrong? Did you enjoy playing with them? What does it mean to "lose your temper"? Did you ever see a horse run away? Were you afraid something would happen before he could be stopped? Did you ever drive a horse? Keeping your temper is in some ways like driving a horse. You have to hold the reins firmly and keep still and look where you are going. Some horses are hard to drive because you have to keep such a firm, steady hand on the reins, but often they are fine horses, while some lazy horse without much spirit in him needs little watching. A horse that has a habit of running away is worthless, and a runaway temper would be as bad. Luckily, runaway tempers can be taught and trained to behave properly, though it is hard work. "Greater is he that rules himself than he that takes a city." How do we train things, —morning-glory vines, circus horses, trick dogs, etc.? How do people learn to play the piano or to skate or to swim? What have you done over and over again at school that is easier than it was when you first did it? How can we train ourselves to be good-tempered or prompt or careful? [Read Story and ask Questions.] LESSON 17 THE MAGIC MASK
There was once a great and powerful prince. He had hundreds of soldiers in his army, and with their help he had conquered vast strips of country over which he ruled. He was wise as well as brave, but, though all men feared his iron will and respected his strong purpose, no one loved him. As he grew older, he became lonely and unhappy, and this made him sterner and colder, and more severe than ever. The lines about his mouth were hard and grim, there was a deep frown on his forehead, and his lips rarely smiled. Now it happened that in one of the cities over which he had come to rule was a beautiful princess whom he wished to have for his wife. He had watched her for many months as she went about among the people, and he knew that she was as good and kind as she was beautiful. But, because he always wore his armor and his heavy helmet when he rode through his dominions, she had never seen his face. The day came when he made up his mind that he would ask the lovely princess to come and live in his palace. He put on his royal robes and his golden coronet; but, when he looked at his reflection in the glass, he could see nothing but what would cause fear and dislike. His face looked hard and cruel and stern. He tried to smile, but it seemed an unnatural effort and he quickly gave it up. Then a happy notion came to him. Sending for the court magician, he said to him: "Make for me a mask of the thinnest wax so that it will follow every line of my features, but paint it with your magic paints so that it will look kind and pleasant instead of fierce and stern. Fasten it upon my face so that I shall never have to take it off. Make it as handsome and attractive as your skill can suggest, and I will pay for it any price you choose to ask." "This I can do," said the court magician, "on one condition only. You must keep your own face in the same lines that I shall paint, or the mask will be ruined. One angry frown, one cruel smile will crack the mask and ruin it forever; nor can I replace it. Will you agree to this?" The prince had a strong will, and never in his life had he wanted anything so much as he now wanted the princess for his wife. "Yes," he said, "I agree. Tell me how I may keep the mask from cracking." "You must train yourself to think kindly thoughts," said the magician, "and, to do this, you must do kindly deeds. You must try to make your kingdom happy rather than great. Whenever you are angry, keep absolutely still until the feeling has gone away. Try to think of ways to make your subjects happier and better. Build schools instead of forts and hospitals instead of battleships. Be gracious and courteous to all men" So the wonderful mask was made, and, when the prince put it on, no one would have guessed that it was not his true face. The lovely princess, indeed, could find no fault with it, and she came willingly to be his bride in his splendid palace. The months went on, and, though at first the magic mask was often in danger of being destroyed, the prince had been as good as his word, and no one had ever discovered that it was false. His subjects, it is true, wondered at his new gentleness and thoughtfulness, but they said, "It is the princess who has made him like herself." The prince, however, was not quite happy. When the princess smiled her approval of his forbearance and goodness, he used to wish that he had never deceived her with the magic mask. At last he could bear it no longer, and, summoning the magician he bade him remove the false face. "If I do, Your Royal Highness," protested the magician, "I can never make another. You must wear your own face as long as you live." "Better so," cried the prince, "than to deceive one whose love and trust I value so greatly. Better even that she should always despise me than that I should go on doing what is unworthy for her sake." Then the magician took off the mask, and the prince in fear and anguish of heart sought his reflection in the glass. As he looked, his eyes brightened and his lips curved into a radiant smile, for the ugly lines were gone, the frown had disappeared, and his face was moulded in the exact likeness of the mask he had worn so long. And, when he came into the presence of his wife, she saw only the familiar features of the prince she loved. —Adapted. Do we make our own faces? How? How can we make ourselves feel kind and pleasant? What is it well to do when we are angry? Are happy people better looking than discontented ones? What can we do to cure ourselves of discontent? If you take away a toy from a baby, he is likely to cry: will he be ashamed, when he is older, to cry for everything he wants? Will he train himself not to cry? Do you think you could teach yourself to write if there was no one to show you? How could you do it? How can we teach ourselves other things?
TEACHER’S HELPS XVIII. THE PERSIAN AND HIS THREE SONS Introductory Talk Did you ever see a boy strike another, and then say to excuse himself, ''Well, he hit me first"? When Jesus saw anything of the kind, he used to say, " Try being patient and polite when others are rude to you." It isn't always easy to do this, but people who are big and brave enough to return good for evil are said to be generous. They are generous when they give away what they would like to keep; when they will not speak harshly of those who have not treated them well; when, in any way, they do more than could fairly be asked of them. Jesus compared generous people to those who in measuring give full measure, heaped up and running over. Did you ever buy nuts or candies of generous shopkeepers? Is it generous to give away what you don't want? Is it generous to do an errand unwillingly? Is it generous to do as little as you can when you are working with other people? [Read Story and ask Questions.] LESSON 18 THE PERSIAN AND HIS THREE SONS There was once a Persian ruler who had three sons. The father owned a beautiful pearl, and he wished to give it to that one of his sons who had shown himself the noblest. Accordingly, he called them all together, and asked each of them what had been the most praiseworthy deed he had performed during the last three months. The eldest son spoke first. He said: "On my journey last week I was entrusted with a number of valuable jewels. The merchant who sent them took no account of them. One or two would never have been missed, and I might easily have made myself rich. But I did no such thing. I carried the parcel as safely as if it had been my own." "My son," said the father, "you were honest, it is true, and you have done well. But you could hardly have acted otherwise without shame." Then the second son spoke. He said: "As I was walking the other day, I saw a child playing by the lake, and, while I watched him, he fell in. I swam in after him, and saved him." "You also have done your duty," said the old man; "but you could hardly have left the child to drown." It was now the third son's turn. He said: "As I crossed the mountains the other day, I saw near the edge of a dangerous precipice a man who has hated me and has done me harm. He had sat down to rest, and had fallen asleep. I would have passed on my way without a word, but something within me called to me to go back and wake him. This I did, knowing all the time that he would not understand and that he would be angry with me, as indeed he was." "My son," cried the father, "the pearl is yours! To do good, without hope of favor or reward, to those who have wronged us, is to be truly noble." Is it easier to be polite and kind to those who are polite to us than to those who are rude? Which, then, is the finer courtesy?
TEACHER’S HELPS XIX. ANDROCLUS AND THE LION. Introductory Talk Do you remember being afraid of something when you were little that you are not afraid of now? What was it? Some babies are afraid of a bit of dust blowing about the floor. Two boys were frightened by a searchlight until their father explained it to them. We are often frightened by what we do not understand. Sometimes, when the moon comes between the earth and the sun, the sunshine is shut off and it is dark, even in the daytime. Years ago men were greatly frightened at such times, and thought that God was angry with them. Now that we understand what makes the darkness, we are not afraid. [Read Story and ask Questions.] LESSON 19 ANDROCLUS AND THE LION A great many years ago there lived in the city of Rome a poor slave whose name was Androclus (an'dro clus). He was treated so cruelly by his master that at last he ran away. It was the law in those days that a runaway slave should be punished with death. Androclus was afraid that some one would find him, and so he made his way into the thickest part of a great forest, where, of course, there was almost nothing to eat. As the days went on, he grew sick and weak from hunger. Every morning it was harder to move than it had been the day before. At length Androclus made for himself a bed of dry leaves in a rocky cave and lay down to die. Suddenly he heard the terrible roar of a lion, and, opening his eyes, he saw a fierce-looking creature whose cries of pain echoed through the cave. The lion paid no heed to the man. He was so busy licking his huge paw and crying with the pain in it that he took little notice of anything else. Androclus watched him for a long time, and his first terror disappeared in his pity and sympathy for the wounded beast. At last he ventured to raise himself from his bed and to go nearer the lion to find out, if he could, what the trouble might be. The lion watched him with eager but not unfriendly eyes. They seemed to say: "I am in dreadful pain. Do you suppose you can help me?" Androclus was so sorry for the poor creature that, putting all thoughts of fear out of his mind, he stooped down and gently lifted the lame paw from the ground. There, in the soft cushion of the padded foot, was a long, sharp thorn. Very carefully Androclus laid hold of it and pulled it out. Instantly the pain was gone, and the lion, jumping about his new friend like a happy dog, licked his hands and feet, and rubbed against him as if to say, "Thank you." When night came, the lion went out into the dark forest and returned in the morning with enough food for them both. Day after day went by until Androclus was strong enough to walk a little distance and to play with the lion as one would with a frisky kitten. Every morning the great beast would bring home the day's supply of food, and, when they had eaten, they would rest in the cave in comfort and friendly affection. One day some soldiers, wandering about in the forest, came upon Androclus, who was waiting for his friend's return. Knowing that the man was a runaway slave, they carried him back to his master, who decided that he should be allowed to struggle for his life with a hungry lion. He was to have no weapon or shield of any kind, but, if he could overcome the fierce beast, he should go free. A lion was captured outside the city and shut up without food until the day came that had been set for the fight. Thousands of people were gathered in the great open theatre to see the lion kill Androclus. Already a terrible roaring could be heard. When the poor slave was brought in, he looked eagerly into the faces around him, but he saw no pity or sympathy. Then the door of the cage was flung open and out rushed the hungry beast. With one bound he reached his victim. Then he stopped short, and the waiting crowd saw a wonderful sight. Gently he lowered his great head and licked the slave's feet, while Androclus, recognizing his friend of the forest, clasped his arms close about the tawny neck and sobbed for joy. The people shouted and clapped their hands. This was far more marvelous than what they had come to see. And, to the satisfaction of everybody, Androclus and his lion were set free, to go and come as they liked. Together they lived for many years, sometimes in Rome and sometimes in their old cave, but always in peace and happiness. Do you remember being afraid of people, and then, when you came to know them, forgetting all about the fear? Does a baby remember his mother if she is away from him for a long time? Is he sometimes afraid of her when she comes home? How did people first think of our heavenly Father, —as a God to be feared or a Father to be loved? Is it easier to do things for people because you love them or because you are afraid of them?
TEACHER’S HELPS XX. THE LOST CHILDREN Introductory Talk When a baby is hurt or frightened, to whom does he run for help and comfort? Why? When he is in his mother's arms, he feels safe. He knows that no harm will come lo him, and that she is sorry for his pain. When we think of this great world of ours, moving so swiftly yet so safely in its path, never stopping, never turning too fast, never jostled by other worlds, isn't it as if God held us all in His arms where nothing evil can touch us? People have always prayed to God. Years ago they believed that sometimes God would break His own great laws in answer to their prayers. Now we do not ask Him for things we know to be impossible. When we are in trouble, we ask Him to show us some way out of it or to help us to bear it; when we are sorrowful, we ask for His comfort and peace; when we are happy, we ought lo thank Him. Prayer is not always asking. It is resting in God's arms, trying to think His thoughts, trusting His wisdom and His love. God does not always give us what we ask for. Perhaps it would not be good for us; perhaps we have not worked hard enough ourselves; perhaps it would interfere with some other plan for us. We do not know why we are disappointed, but we do know that those who lake their disappointments cheerfully and bear their sorrow bravely grow to be noble men and women, such as we all want to be. [Read Story and ask Questions.]
Analyze and explain each phrase in the Lord's Prayer, showing how in every petition it includes there is a. place for our co-operation.
LESSON TWENTY THE LOST CHILDREN When they moved into the new house in the country, the children's father told them not to play in the woods behind the barn. "It is a wide stretch of forest," he said, "and you might wander about for days." "But we could always turn round and come straight home," said Roger. "That is just the trouble," said his father. "It is almost impossible to follow a straight path in the woods. You would keep on going round and round. The only thing for you to do is to stay within sight of the house." A day or two later Roger was picking flowers near the brook when he saw a glimmer of pink among the low bushes at the edge of the woods. "That looks like Nannie's apron," he said to himself uneasily. "She must have run away. I shall have to go and bring her back." It was a long run across the field, but the little pink apron was still in sight when Roger came to the path that led into the woods. Nannie gave a shout when she saw Brother Roger. This was a fine game to play, and away she ran, while hot and breathless the little boy toiled after her. "Stop, Nannie, please stop!" he called, but she would not or could not hear him, and they were soon quite out of sight of home. The path grew rough and was lost in a tangle of vines and briers, so that Nannie was glad to stop and let Roger catch hold of her hand at the foot of a great beech tree. "Now we'll go back," he said; but, alas! this proved to be impossible. Nannie's fleeing feet had dodged among trees and stumps until all traces of the path had been left far behind. "Never mind!" said Roger, stoutly, "we'll find it in a minute." And Nannie trudged cheerfully along with her chubby hand fast in his. It was growing late in the afternoon, and the woods began to seem chilly and damp. Roger looked at Nannie's thin cotton frock and went on a little faster. It seemed to him that they had been walking a long time when they came to the same great beech where he had overtaken Nannie. He was sure that it was the same, for a dead branch hung down from it, covered with dry leaves. It was just as his father had said: they had been going in a circle instead of straight ahead, and they were no nearer home than before. "What shall I do?" thought Roger, his frightened heart going pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat, against his blue blouse. "If we go on, we'll tire ourselves out, and Nannie is too big for me to carry very far." Nannie's weary feet were already dragging heavily along, and now she began to cry, sitting down in despair at the foot of the great tree. Roger dropped on his knees beside her. He was only a little boy, and he felt very weak and helpless. His mother had taught him to ask God every night to help him to be good: now he would ask that he might be brave. "Dear God," he said earnestly, "help me not to get frightened, for that makes Nannie cry. And please show me the way home." If Roger had hoped that the trees would open before him and let him see the way to go, he was disappointed. The wind sang softly in the leaves over his head, the birds were twittering in the distance, a tiny squirrel scurried across a fallen tree and sat watching them with his bright eyes; but nothing else happened. Yet, somehow, Roger felt better, and the woods no longer seemed frightful, but only a big, green, happy place where little creatures could run about without fear. Roger put his arm around Nannie and comforted her until her tears were dry, while the sunlight glancing through the trees fell warm upon them both. Suddenly he remembered that every evening his father and mother watched the sunset from the front porch. His home then must lie between him and the sun, since the woods were directly behind the house and the sun went down directly in front of it. "Come, Nannie," he cried joyfully. "Brother knows the way now. See the sun through the trees. Our home is over there. Let's go and find it." Nannie had unbounded faith in Roger, and again they started off bravely. This time all went well. It seemed only a little time before they were safe at home again. "I asked God to help me, and I tried as hard as I could myself," he said to his mother. "That is the best way to pray, little son," she told him. "God helps those who help themselves." The Prayer that Jesus taught us. Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Does a baby get everything he cries for? Why don't we give him scissors and matches and other interesting things to play with? Is the baby wise enough to know what are the best playthings for him/her? Do your mother and father give you everything you ask for? Isn't it better to be disappointed than to be hurt? Do we sometimes ask God for things we ought not to have? Are we sometimes selfish in our asking? Can we always ask Him for help and comfort?
TEACHER’S HELPS XXI. THE PRINCE'S VISIT. Having read the story, bring out the fact that unselfishness wins love, and is made easy by love. Here is a simple Eastern fable that illustrates both these points. How the Sun and the Moon and the Wind went out to dinner. One day Thunder and Lightning gave a party. They invited the Sun and the Wind and the Moon, the children of the most distant Star you can see far off in the sky. It was a wonderful feast. The bees sent honey, and the birds brought fruit; there were sweets of all kinds. And, when the party was over, to each guest was given some of the good things to carry home. Now the Sun was greedy, and as soon as he was out of sight of the big cloud where Thunder lived, the selfish boy ate all the fruit and sweetmeats that had been given to him. And after a while the Wind grew weary of carrying his package any further. "What is the use of tiring myself out?" he said, "I have had all that I want lo eat." And he dropped his goodies into the sea. But the little Moon thought of her mother at home, and how happy she had been in getting them ready to go. "I shall keep mine for mother," she said to herself, and, though she was hungry and tired before she reached home, she held her bundle safe. The Star, who was watching for them with her little bright eye, was very glad to see them, and enjoyed all the good things that the Moon had brought her. But she said to the Sun, "When you grow up, men will dislike you if you think only of your own comfort; and they will try to hide themselves from your fierce, hot rays." And she said to the Wind: "You also will often find yourself feared and dreaded. When you are kind, men will like you; but when you are rough and thoughtless, they will bar their homes against you." Then the Star turned to the Moon. "O my daughter,'' she said tenderly, "because you think always of the comfort of others, you will always be loved and welcomed." And that is why the Moon is so beloved to this day.
LESSON TWENTY-ONE THE PRINCE'S VISIT
It was a holiday in the city, for the Prince was coming. There was to be a great procession with bands of music and marching soldiers and crowds of gaily dressed people following after them. The Prince, dressed in splendid clothes and wearing a feather in his cap, was to ride in a carriage drawn by four coal-black horses. And never before had a real prince visited the city. It seemed almost too good to be true. When the cannon sounded, that meant that the Prince had landed from the steamer. When the bells began to ring, the people would know that the procession was on its way. In the great laundry at one end of the city the workers were to be allowed to go as soon as the cannon was fired. Weak Joe, as his comrades called him because he could only turn the crank of the washing machine all day long, listened eagerly for the sound. As soon as he heard it, he dropped the crank joyfully and seized his shabby cap. He, too, would see the Prince. For days Joe had thought of nothing but the Prince's visit. When he came home at night, tired and hungry, he would sit down by his mother and talk about the Prince until he could keep his eyes open no longer. Then she would kiss him and send him to bed while she worked far into the night, thinking of her boy who would never be strong and active and quick-witted like the other lads of his age. He came in now, panting for breath. "The cannon has gone off, mother," he cried. "The Prince has come!" "Everything is ready, Joe," she said, and he tumbled into his room to dress himself for the great occasion. In a wonderfully short time he was out again for her approval. "Isn't it splendid!" said he, looking with special admiration at his white satin tie that his mother had made out of a piece of her wedding dress. It shone in dazzling contrast to his dingy coat, but Joe was more than satisfied, for in the tie was an old pin which he considered very beautiful indeed. "If only you would have let me wear the feather, mother," he said, with an instant's regret for a certain ragged plume which he had found and kept in his treasure box. "You don't need it, Joe, indeed you don't," she assured him cheerfully. "And, besides, the Prince wears one. What would he think if he saw you with one, too?" "I never thought of that," said Joe, contentedly. And then he kissed her and hurried off. It was a long way from the laundry to his home, and it was a long way, too, from his home to the main street, and Joe had no time to spare. On he hurried in his clumsy, shambling fashion, and presently he thought he heard the distant music and cheering. He could see the swarms of people waiting for the procession, though the street he was on was empty and quiet. His heart beat fast, and he wiped his hot, dusty face, as he stumbled along in his haste. Just then he heard a groan of pain, and, looking around, he saw a poor boy, too weak to stand, leaning against a tree. He put out his hands to Joe beseechingly, but he did not speak. "He must be sick," said Joe, looking around uneasily. There was no one near. "Hurrah! Hurrah!" sounded in the distant street. Poor Joe trembled. "The Prince is coming," he said, and turned as if to run. Then he looked once more at the sick boy. "I can't leave him here," he said, at length. "He might die while I was gone. I must take him home to mother." "Hurrah! Hurrah! Here he comes! The Prince!" And the dull roar of the crowd broke into sharp, ringing cheers as the Prince came nearer and nearer. Weak Joe, wiping the tears from his eyes as he stooped to lift the poor boy from the ground, heard the cries, but he could see nothing. Did he, indeed, see nothing? Surely there, in the quiet street, weak Joe, whom people pitied, had a glimpse of a greater vision than they dreamed of. Well may poor Joe stand still in awe, for the old words are ringing in his ears, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."—Adapted.Review Questions. Do you think that you could love any one whom you had never seen? Can we learn to know people by reading what they have written and by hearing about what they have done? What are some of the beautiful things in the world? Do they tell us about God? What are some of the wonderful things that tell us about Him? What did Jesus tell us about Him? Is it as much fun to play alone as it is to play with others? Can we do more if we work together than if we work separately? What does it mean to be selfish? Is it hard sometimes to be unselfish? In the last story would it have been easier for Joe to stay with his mother, if she had been ill, than it was to take care of the boy? Why? What do the last lines in the story mean? Who said them many, many years ago? When Jesus spoke of his brothers, whom did he mean? Is there any one in the world too poor or ignorant or wretched to be a child of God and one of our brothers? Memory Verses. All worldly joys go less To the one joy of doing kindnesses. George Herbert. The bravest are the tenderest; The loving are the daring. Bayard Taylor.
He prayeth best who loveth best All things both great and small; For the dear God who loveth us He made and loveth all. S. T. Coleridge.
TEACHER’S HELPS XXII. A STORY OF THEODORE PARKER. Introductory Talk How do we know what God wants us to do? Sometimes we don't know, and we have to find out for ourselves as well as we can, just as we learn other things in this world. Sometimes He sends messages to our spirits, without words or signs, to tell us that we have pleased Him or grieved Him. We cannot explain how such messages come. You might find it hard to explain how the telephone messages come, and God's messages are still more wonderful. But when we are happy because we have done right or troubled because we have done wrong, God is sending a message to us. And because He wants us to be good we feel that He is good. Did you ever give up something that you wanted very much so that some one else might have it, and in spite of your disappointment feel glad that you had done it? That was because one of God's messages had reached you. Did you ever do something that no one saw or knew about, but which made you unhappy whenever you thought of it, because you knew it was wrong? God was sending you another message, telling you that you were making a mistake and must try not to do it again. [Read Story and ask Questions-] LESSON 22 A STORY OF THEODORE PARKER. Theodore Parker was a famous preacher. One day, when he was a little boy, he was on his way home from school. He passed a pond by the side of the road. He could hear queer sounds that were like this: "Choog, choog, kerchoog!" He knew what made these sounds, because he had often seen the frogs in the mud on the bank of the pond. "What fun it will be to throw stones at the frogs and see them jump out of the water!" the little boy said to himself. So he picked up some stones from the road; but, when he was ready to throw the first one, he thought he heard a voice say, "Stop!" The little boy looked all around, but no one was near. The frogs in the pond were very still. Not a sound could be heard. Theodore lifted his arm again, and again he heard the word, "Stop!" It did not come from the bushes or the pond or the road. Theodore could not make up his mind where it did come from. He ran home as fast as he could, and told his mother all about it. "No one was there," he said. "I was all alone. Do you suppose the frogs told me to stop, mother?" Theodore's mother took the little boy up in her arms. "No," she said, "I think that what you heard was the voice of God in your heart. If you will always listen to it and obey it, it will tell you when you are doing wrong, but, if you do not listen, by and by you will not hear it." Did you ever hear an alarm clock? How does it happen that sometimes an alarm clock does not wake a person in the same room? Did you ever hear or feel something asking you to stop when you were doing wrong? What sounds do we grow so used to that we don't hear them?
TEACHER’S HELPS XXIII. THE PLANT THAT LOST ITS BERRY Introductory Talk Has any one seen the spring buds or blossoms yet? Can you find a leaf-bud for next Sunday? Are the pussy-willows out yet? Do you know where to look for them? Are dandelions and buttercups always yellow? What does it mean to keep a promise? Doesn't God keep His promise when He sends the flowers every year? Doesn't everything in the garden grow and change? What do we do when we water a garden or when we transplant the little plants that have been growing in the house? Can we help God in other ways? How can we help birds and animals? Suppose our bodies grew faster than our minds, how could we help our minds to grow? Should we enjoy having grown-up bodies and little minds? Why do you go to school, and why do older people study? Do you think it would be fun never to grow up at all? Shouldn't we miss more pleasure than we should keep? [Read Story and ask Questions.]
LESSON 23 THE PLANT THAT LOST ITS BERRY Once there was a plant, and it had just one little berry. It was a pretty berry, —soft, velvety blue in color and not round like a huckleberry, but long and oval in shape. And it grew on a pinkish stem that was pretty, too. The plant thought everything of her little berry. She was sure that never in all this world was there so beautiful a berry as hers, —so smooth and soft and velvety to touch and so lovely to look at. She held it all day and all night tight and fast. When it rained, she covered it up with her leaves, and she did the same if the wind blew or the sun was too hot. And the berry grew and grew. No wonder the plant was proud of it. One day, when the plant wasn't thinking of any danger, a brisk wind came up. It wasn't a gale, and the plant never dreamed of harm, when suddenly there came a snap, and the pink stem was broken, and the little berry had rolled away quite out of sight. I can't tell you how the plant felt about it. At first she couldn't really believe that it was gone. She felt sure that she should wake up from this bad dream and find her little berry cuddling close under her shady leaves, but after a while she knew that this would never be. The other plants tried to comfort her. Some of them had lost their berries, too, but they didn't know how to help her. "Their berries weren't like mine," thought the poor plant. "There never was a berry so dear and pretty as mine." Just where the berry used to hang and where the little pinky stem was broken, there was a sore place that ached and smarted all day and all night. And by and by the plant's leaves began to grow dry and yellow and wrinkled. She was glad that she was going to die: she didn't want to live without her little berry. For long, long weeks and months the plant seemed to be dead. It was dry and brown, and rustled in the wind like paper. But it didn't seem long to the plant herself. She shut her eyes and went to sleep, and, when she woke up, she felt fresh and young and happy. Then, suddenly, she remembered her little berry, and she thought, " Oh, how I wish my own little berry were here to see me now and to know how much better I feel!" And perhaps she said it aloud, for somebody answered her: "Your little berry does see you. Look there!" And she looked, and there close beside her was the most beautiful little berry bush she had ever seen, —straight and tall, with little bits of soft, green leaves with the sun shining through them. She fairly quivered with the joy of seeing it there, for she knew that it must be her own little berry grown up. And so it was. —Adapted. What would have happened if the little berry had always stayed on the plant? Would there have been any new bush? Would the mother plant have been so happy? Doesn't growing always mean giving up something? But isn't there always something still better to look forward to?
TEACHER’S HELPS XXV THE GOOD SAMARITAN After the story has been read, explain how Jesus came to tell it and why it was hard for his countrymen to accept his teaching. Speak of their race and class prejudices: there are plentiful instances among us of similar intolerance. Make the setting of the story as vivid as possible. Describe the twenty-mile journey between Jerusalem and Jericho, —a gloomy, rocky, dangerous path infested by robbers. Explain the words priest, a man devoted to God's service, Levite, a man who served in the lower ceremonies of the temple. Make clear the contempt with which the pureblooded Jew regarded the mixed race of Samaria. Show how the Samaritan forgot his own danger in his pity for the sufferer. For a parallel story read The Miraculous Pitcher in Hawthorne's Wonder Book.
LESSON 25 THE GOOD SAMARITAN Luke x. 25-35. A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho; and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half-dead. And by chance a certain priest was going down that way; and, when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And in like manner a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and, when he saw him, he was moved with compassion, and came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on them oil and wine: and he set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow he took out two shillings, and gave them to the host, and said, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, I, when I come back again, will repay thee. Which one treated the traveler in the best way? When do we have chances to be kind to strangers? What happens when a new scholar comes to school? Do you remember how you felt the first day you went to school? Is it hard sometimes to go and speak to a stranger? Did you ever feel left out of some good time, or lonely among a number of children who knew one another? What ought we to do when any one is lonely or in trouble ? Was Branch deer fair and just? Is there something even better than being fair? Few of us are ever asked to give up our lives for others; but what are we often asked to give up? TEACHER'S HELPS XXVI. THE PRODIGAL SON. Read the story to the class as Jesus told it and ask for a retelling in the child's own words. Show that it brings out what Jesus was always saying, that a loving father will never be harsh to his children if they are truly sorry for their faults and will try to be better. Emphasize the fact that spoken repentance is worthless unless it is the beginning of right doing. To say "I am sorry" and to keep on doing the rude or careless or wrong thing is not to be really sorry. Show that sometimes people do not intend to hurt us or to do us a wrong, and that perhaps they may not even know that we are hurt. Ought we not to forgive them, though they do not say that they are sorry ? Ask how we should treat people whom we have forgiven. How should we like to be treated in their place? Do we not all have to be forgiven very frequently? Speak of the courteous way to receive an apology.
LESSON 26 THE PRODIGAL SON. Luke xx. 11-32. A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of thy substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country; and there he wasted his substance with riotous living. And, when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have eaten the husks that the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him. But, when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But, while he was yet afar off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight: I am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat, and make merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and, as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called to him one of the servants, and inquired what these things might be. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. But he was angry, and would not go in: and his father came out, and entreated him. But he answered and said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, and I never transgressed a commandment of thine; and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: but when this thy son came, who hath devoured thy living, thou killest for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that is mine is thine. But it was meet to make merry and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. When we have done wrong, are our parents ready to forgive us when we say we are sorry? What do you think about the elder brother? Do you like to play with children who are always afraid that they are going to be left out or ill-treated? What can we do if we have hurt any one? What can we do if any one has hurt us and is sorry? What does it mean "to forgive and forget"?
TEACHER’S HELPS XXVII THE SOWER Read the story as Jesus told it or have it read by one of the class. Explain, in very simple phrases, the meaning which Jesus gave. The words which we hear from wise men and women are like seeds. When we do not listen, we are like the wayside which let the |