§mm p^ iJiiiii m iPv ii till i!''^;Si"^'' !;:»'! |f|< ill!!;' kUhm iiD'-niuniiiiiiitni Mi BV 4225 .P5 1905 1 Pierce, Robert Fletcher Young, 1852- Pencil points for preacher and teacher PENCIL POINTS FOR PREACHER AND TEACHER Pencil Points for Preacher and Teacher JUL 19 1916 ROBERT F. Y. PIERCE, D. D. INTRODUCTION BY REV. ROBERT S. MacARTHUR, D. D. New York Chicago Toronto Fleming H. Revell Company London and Edinburgh Copyright, 1905, by FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY New York: 158 Fifth Avenue Chicago: 125 North Wabash Ave. Toronto: 27 Richmond Street, W. London: 21 Paternoster Square Edinburgh: 100 Princes Street This volume is affectionately dedicated to the memory of my sainted 77iother Ellen Toy Pierce who early led 7iie to the Saviotir and to my dear father Charles Campbell Pierce who for thirty-five years was a devoted Sunday-school superintendent a gifted musicia^t and a consecrated Christian business man The Author INTRODUCTION It is both an honour and a pleasure for this writer to have any part in introducing to the world ' ' Pencil Points for Preachers and Teachers." The Christian church throughout the world owes a debt of gratitude to Eev. Eobert F. Y. Pierce, D. D. , for the work which he did in his former volume, ''Pictured Truth." The debt thus created will be greatly increased by the publication of this present volume. It will interest men both of the clergy and of the laity ; it will give instruction and inspiration to teachers and preachers and to all students of the Bible, and workers in the vineyard of the Lord. God has dowered Dr. Pierce with the power of present- ing truth by illustrations which apply to the eye as truly as by words which address the ear. He possesses artistic skill which he has consecrated to the Lord's work. This form of instruction addresses itself alike to the learned and the ignorant ; it makes its appeal with almost resist- less force to all classes and conditions of men. Dr. Pierce is no novice in this special field of author- ship. His work will be immediately welcomed and his book will go on its way honouring God and blessing men. Whatever agency may be employed in sowing the truths of God's Word in human hearts is worthy of careful study and wise application. Jesus, the mighty Teacher, abun- dantly used the illustrative method in presenting His gospel to men. A lily, a sparrow, the ripening fields of grain, the vine and its fruitage, the shepherds and their flocks, the withered tree, and many other objects were used by our Lord to present through eye-gate to heart-life the truths of the kingdom of God. 7 8 INTRODUCTION A picture may flash a truth more quickly and impress- ively than a spoken word. In '^Pencil Points for Preachers and Teachers" the author presents no new theories of truth, but applies most attractive methods of illustration to bring the vital truths of the gospel of Christ to the hearts of young and old. In lands where mission- aries could not speak the language of the people, his '^ Picture Truths" have been a universal language by which the saving truths of the gospel were made known. This volume has its suggestive lessons for many depart- ments of Christian work, grading from the easy word exercises to the simpler forms and combination of lines which a thoughtful pastor or teacher may find most help- ful. The use of the illustrations here given, including the suggestive sketches for Old and New Testament lessons. Missionary topics, Temperance lessons, and a variety of other exercises which have been so greatly blessed in the world-wide ministry of Dr. Pierce as the illustrator of the International Sunday-School lessons for many years, will be welcomed by pastors and teachers in every land. E. S. Mac Arthur. Calvary Study, New York. PREFACE The very kind reception of my recent book, ^'Pictured Truth," by thousands of pastors and Christian workers, and the general use of my Bible sketches and blackboard notes by the Sunday-School workers both of Europe and America, leads me to respond to many requests for an additional volume on illustrative methods of teaching and preaching. This little book is a companion to '' Pictured Truth" and is prepared along similar lines. It contains many suggestions for simple blackboarding and many helpful hints in the use of illustrations for the teacher and preacher, in the pulpit or in the private ministry. It is designed to be a hand-book covering the general field of blackboard illustrations and object lessons for young and old. No pretentions are made, either to pictorial art or to literary merit : the aim of the book is to suggest to the earnest Christian worker simple methods for imparting truth through "eye-gate to man soul." I have carefully avoided the making of forms of persons or animals, or faces, etc., using only the outline sketches which may be drawn readily by the average Christian worker, who may not possess special artistic skill. Often the little sketch thoughtfully, though quickly and even crudely drawn, may be more productive of results for good than the more elaborate and artistic drawing. The illustrations here given may be used in the pulpit, Sunday-school, young people's meetings, missionary and temperance meetings, at the bedside of the sick, and in multiplied wayside ministries. 9 10 PREFACE I am greatly indebted to many kind friends for their cordial commendation of my Bible sketches, and their encouragement and help by which the pictured lessons are sent every week to all parts of the English speaking world. Pictures are a universal language, and my Bible notes accompanying the sketches are translated in many languages. Many missionaries use the pictured truths to the saving of souls, when the spoken language fails to reach the heart. Grateful acknowledgments are made to Mr. Fleming H. Eevell, through whose kind interest I have been enabled by my writings in the Sunday-School Lesson Illustrator to reach many thousands of Christian workers dur- ing the past eleven years. Acknowledgments are also made to the Sunday-School Chronicle of London, The Bap- tist Union, and many publications which have extensively used my illustrative notes, and through whose kind cour- tesy I am able to use some of the sketches in this volume. The few lessons garnered here have been prayerfully developed, and are now sent forth with the earnest hope that they may be fruitful in ministry, and be blessed of the Master ''Whose we are and whom we serve." Egbert F. Y. Pierce. Scranton, Pennsylvania. CONTENTS Introduction Preface Suggestions on Practical Blackboard Work, 15 a. Character of the Pictures. 6. Drawing while Talking. c. Value of Artistic Effort. d. Illustrations for Adults. €. Illustrative Methods — Scriptural. Materials 17 a. Blackboards vs. Sketch Paper. b. Crayons. c. Kind of Blackboard. Advertising Meetings The Sermon Outline .... Faith and Faithfulness Helpful Object Lessons Eev. Charles M. Sheldon, B Christ's Thought of Childhood Bev. Charles Eoads, D B. 22 26 28 30 31 Word Exercises and Simple Outline Sketches, 32 Go Ye Into all the World— Why I Should Be a Christian- Seek Jesus Early— Heaven a Place — Follow Me — Fear the Lord — Beware of Sin — Gleams of Assurance — Have Faith in God — My Peace I Give Unto You — Ye Must be Born Again — Cancellation Exercise — Sum of Paul's Teachings — Lesson on Joseph's Life — Jesus the Christ — Lot's Wife. Alliterative Hints 36 Bev. Courtland Myers, B. B. Sermon Outline on Prayer .... 37 Bev. Cornelius WoelfJcin. Bible Marginal Notes 37 Mrs. Helen Bunn Gates. 11 12 CONTENTS Easy Sketches and Blackboard Hints . . 39 The Ideal Home Circle 43 God's Great Salvation 43 Footsteps to Victory .44 A Talk on Duty 46 Good and Bad Companions 47 Combination Crayon and Object Exercise . 49 Old Testament Lessons 53 The Open Word— Idols Cast Out— Lifted Up to Save— Temple Teachings — A Refuge in Trouble — Keeping the Sabbath — Heroes of Faith — Where is Thy Refuge — An- swered Prayers— Do not be Discouraged — Living Again — The Reward of Obedience — True Friendship — Faith Limits God's Supply— Be Ye Also Ready— The Secret of David's Power — Rejoice in the Lord — Ihe Missing Note — Weighed and Wanting — Israel's Thanksgiving— Called to Service— Sin Brings Ruin. New Testament Lessons 91 The True Foundation— Prayer Opens Prisons— The Life Beautiful— Light on the Living Word— Opening Blind Eyes— Calming the Storm— Use Every Talent — The Crown Beneath the Cross— Take Heed what Ye Hear— Where There's a Will There's a Way— Cast Thy Burden on the Lord — The Shepherd and the Sheep — Watchfulness— The Gateway to Blessing — The Christian's Inheritance — A Sep- aration—The Rock on Which to Build— The Comforter- Follow Me— The Priceless Pearl— God's Token of Love— The Cheerful Giver — The Heart Question and Bible Answer —Warnings Unheeded— The Christian's Trinity— Paul's Testimony— Let Your Light Shine— The Slavery of Sin— - How to Please God— The Christian's Bond. Missionary Notes 137 Lighted to Shine— Birthplace of Missions— Go Tell Others —Helping to Light the World— Growth of the Kingdom- Light for All— Gleanings from the Field— Helping to Light the World. Christmas, Easter, Eeviews, etc. . . . 153 He is Risen — Beacon Lights— Christmas Bells— Let Earth Receive Her King— The Window Review— Hints for Quar- terly Review. CONTENTS 13 Temperance Lessons 163 The. Price the Drunkard Pays— A Temperance Boy — Be- ware of the Wine Cup — Touch not the Cup— A Stroke in the Eight Place— Be a King— The Open Switch— A Dec- laration of Independence— Temperance Illustrations. Miscellaneous Lessons 177 What is My Influence— The Central Truth of Christ's Min- istry—Sowing and Reaping— Wickedness of Envy — Over- coming Difficulties — A Promise Meeting — Bridle the Tongue— Harden not Your Hearts — The Measured Life — Confession and Forgiveness — Beware of Boasting — Free- will Gifts— The Sign of Addition for the Church— The Ban- ner and the Book of the Free — Church and State. Conversion . . . . . . . . 202 Mr. Frank Beard. Miscellaneous Sketches 203 Do not Destroy the Book — The Past and the Present — The Heavenly Roll — Paul's Creed — Love and the Law— I will Rule Myself— Altars of the False and the True— The Path of Peace — Silencing the Songs of Home — Christian Security — The Cup and its Sting — Choose the God — The Gift of a Crown — The Temple of a Holy Life — Private Prayer and Public Blessing— The Golden Rule — Follow Christ and Gain the Crown— The Crown Beyond the Altar — Divine Arithmetic — The Quarterly Review — The Power of Jesus — Cleansed by a Touch — Speak the Truth — Healing the Blind — Does Jesus Love Me — Hope, Faith, Charity — He Careth for Me — Pre- pare Ye the Way of the Lord— The Light of the World Has Come. SUGGESTIONS It is practically impossible to give instructions for drawing in a volume of this character. But few elemen- tary rules are necessary for the amateur worker. Many helpful hints are given in my companion book ' ' Pictured. Truth" for those who desire to study the simi)le rudi- mentary principles of drawing. Many excellent books on drawing are published, which can be secured for a small sum, and which contain all the necessary lessons to aid even the most unskilled worker in developing the simple outlines herein contained. While the finished pictures, neatly drawn and coloured, are attractive, yet the most eifective method of using the illustrations is the sketch drawn during the development of the lesson before the congregation. With the finished picture the first interest centres in the artist's production. The eye quickly sweeps the whole picture and conclusions may be formed not always in harmony with the lesson to be taught. With the sketch drawn in the presence of the class one is better able to give instruction and make the applica- tion step by step. This method compels the hearer to follow the teacher's line of thought, and prepares the mind for the reception of the truth. Do not use the blackboard simply for artistic effect, nor to exalt the picture above the truth to be taught. The illustration is simply the instrument by which the truth may be made plain. Beware of having more of chalk than of Christ. K'o church or Sunday-school can be considered well equipped in these days unless it has a blackboard of some 15 16 SUGGESTIONS character, and a wise and prayerful use of the board will be profitable in its ministries to young and old. In the early days of our illustrative methods in preach- ing and teaching it was claimed that this method was valuable only in children's work. But it has been fully demonstrated by many pastors that a prayerful and thoughtful use of illustrations, which appeal to the eye as well as to the ear, are as greatly appreciated and as beneficial in their results to the older people as well as to the young. Scientists claim that more than eighty per cent, of the information which comes to our lives from the world about us comes through the eye-gate. Our Lord and His disciples wisely used this method of presenting spiritual truths, and we cannot overestimate the value of this char- acter of instruction in our own day. MATERIALS The selection of choice materials for successful black- board work cannot be passed over lightly. It is wisest, of course, to secure the best things available, and yet very great results have been secured by the use of the very humblest means. It has been my privilege to lead people to Christ by us- ing a sharp pointed stick and scratching a design in the sand by the wayside, while telling the gospel story. In a recent trip with some Christian friends across the continent, at many railroad stations in the far west we had brief meetings, and many confessed Christ who were won by the messages of truth illustrated by a simple design drawn in the sand by the side of the train. An ordinary black painted board may be successfully employed if nothing better can be secured. Sunday-school supply houses are making a great specialty of various characters of blackboards and materials for crayoning. For a small outlay a very good slated board, either on an upright standard or easel can be secured, which will be suitable for all practical purposes. A character of black- board cloth is manufactured, which may be used with good results. One of the best grades of blackboard is the all slate board. This is the most desirable, both because of its durability and the character of the work which may be done upon it. For my own work I very greatly prefer using the large sheets of white or delicately tinted paper having a fairly rough surface. While this is rather more expensive yet it is far more effective for general illustrations, and less 17 18 MATERIALS objectionable because it is practically dustless. These large sheets of paper can be secured at auy wholesale paper house, and the size of the sheet as well as the weight of the paper may vary according to one's needs and desires. A fair quality of book paper, or what is known in trade, as laid paper, weighing about sixty pounds to the ream, cut in sheets about 32x44 inches is a very con- venient and desirable size. In ordering this paper from the dealer it might be well to give a formula, which would contain size, weight, colour, and character. For example Size, 32x44 inches ; Weight, 60 pounds ; Colour, white (or tinted) ; Grade, laid. These sheets may be tacked on the frame of the black- board, so that when drawing on the paper the board will serve as a firm backing. In the absence of a black- board for this purpose an ordinary smooth surface board may be used. One great advantage in the use of paper rather than the blackboard is in the fact that in using coloured crayons to any extent it will be noted that the blackboard apparently absorbs the colours. That is, if you should usf^ a blue, brown, or scarlet, etc., in order that these colours should show out clearly it would be necessary to put a white or a very bright coloured outline beside them. This would make the colours stand out clearly on the board, but it requires extra time and labour to produce the best result. That dif&culty is avoided when the same colours are used on the white paper. The latter is also best adapted to poorly lighted rooms, or when the illustrative exercises are used at evening time. MATERIALS 19 Crayons An excellent quality of crajons for general sketching can be secured at any artist's supply store. Most Chris- tian workers use the ordinary school crayons, assorted colours, which can be purchased at any school supply furnishing house. Possibly the very best character of crayon for this work is the ''Lecturer's Crayon." This is put up in blocks three inches long and an inch square, and is of a superior quality and is supplied in all colours. They cost a trifle more than the ordinary school crayons, but they are of a very much finer quality and give the very best results. 20 MATERIALS 3TATERIALS 21 "Behold I Stand At The DoorAndKnock Advertising Meetings Invitations to Services.— The following are samples of cards which have been asetl witli gratifying results to advertise meetings, Similar original copyriglil black- board cuts can be readily furnished by Mr. Pierce for this purpose. TEMPLE SERVICE Broad and Berks Sts., Phila. UNDKB THE AUSPICES OF THE TouDg Men's Association OF Grace Baptist Church ILLUSTRATED ADDRESSES BY Rev. Robert F. Y. Pierce, D. D. Every Sunday Afternoon, at 4 o'clock Sunday, July 12 Russell H. Conwell, D. D. Pastor (^REATE {n/)(\e A (^LEAN HeART "ThOUGhYoUR SiNs'Be f^S ICARLET Yhey Shall Be As Vh ite As Snow." UNION Evangelistic Services at the Old Church of the Epiphany, Cor. 15th and Chestnut Sts., Phila. Monday Evening, October 25th, and every evening of the week at 8:oo under the leadership of Rev. Robert F. Y. Pierce, D. D. Sermons in Story Sermons in Song MR. PIERCE will illustrate the Gospel Message with Crayon and Object Lessons. 22 HIA EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING 3IEETINGS 23 Bound - - Robbed, L ^ #- ^1 y^^ ^~< '^^"^B ► '-^ ^^^' "w^ Ruined. i. R T-Y P A Cordial Welcome to All "The Prodigal Sonoftht Twentieth Century." Rev. Robert F. Y. Pierce, D. D. Pastor of the Penn Ave. Baptist Church, will preach Sunday Evening On the Topic " City Traps and Trappers." ADMIT BEARER AND FRIENDS. Illustrated Tracts The blackboard sketches are used with much success in the form of tracts. Mauy pastors use the blackboard lessons in their pulpit ministries, and at the close of the service distribute little printed copies of one or more of the sketches used during the service. A brief sermon outline, or exposition of Scripture, oi gospel message may be printed on a little folder and dis- tributed as tracts. The artistic design or pictured truth sketch arrests the attention, and leads to the reading, and often to the acceptance of the soul saving message. The following example as shown on pages 24 and 25 was made in the form of a four page leaflet. 24 ADVERTISING MEETINGS PAGE ONE Ho Every One: That Thirtieth Come Drink Of The ' Water Of Life. %lt^ 6;©>;S^;S^;S^- PAGE TWO ^be (Bracious dall (5 ISA. 55:1-13 OD has done everything He needs to do to lead men to a better life. In great mercy He warns of sin and iu love provides a remedy for sin. The Call— " Ho, every one that thirsteth." Hear! Hear! Stop and lis- ten! God calls by words of earnest entreaty and by loving in- vitation. He calls by adversities and by providences. Man's Need— We may have wealth, health, education, the comforts of life and the endearments of home, but we may lack tlie most im- portant thing of all— Eternal Life. God's Remedy- Is sufficient for every need. It is complete, reaching to the depths of n^an's trans'gressions and to the uttermost of his desires. It is abundant, satisfying, free. The Price— "Whosoever will may come and take of the water of life freely." " Without money and without price." When Offered— Now—" To-day is the day of Salvation."—" Boa^st not thyself of to-morrow for thou Imowest not what a day may bring forth." PAGE THREE ADVERTISING MEETINGS 25 an flnvltation SOME one is evidently interested in my welfare, for this is an invitation to attend religious services at some Church on Sunday. I may be sure I will be welcome at any of the churches of the city and will be kindly greeted by any of the pastors to whom I will make myself known. If I am not connected with any cliurch, or if I am a visitor in Scrauton, I am especially in- vited to attend the PENN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH between Spruce and Linden Streets. I can at least enjoy the. services and meet the Pastor per- sonally, and if I can attend the half hour Evangelistic service after tlie evening sermon I may be pleased and protited by the blackboard sketclies illustrating Scripture trutli, which are made during the exercises. Some one will greet me there and make me WELCOME I PAGE FOUR PENN AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH, Scranton, Penn'a. REV. ROBERT F. Y. PIERCE, D. D., Paator. Residence, J2j Quincy Avenue. SOME OF OUR SERVICES: Sabbath Morning 9:45— Morning Prayers in tlie Lower Temple. 10:30— Preaching Services. Sabbath Afternoon and Evening 2:00— Bible Scliool. 5:00— Young Men's Five O'clock Club and Tea. 6:30— Young People's Society of Christian Endeavour. 7:30— Bright liour Service of Sermon and Song. Monday Evening 7:45— Bible Training Class. Tuesday Afternoon 2:30— VVomens Prayer Meeting and Social hour. Tuesday Evening 7:45— Young Ladies' "Farther Lights" Society. Wednesday Afternoon 4:00— Junior Christian Endeavour Meeting. Wednesday Evening 7:45— Praise and Prayer Meeting. Thursday Evening 7:45— Young Men's Vesper Literary Society. Friday Evening 7:45— Choral Union Rehearsal. Saturday Afternoon 2:30— Industrial School. LtrxHKR Kkller Hershel J. Hall, William McClave. Supt. of Bible Schools Church Clerk Chairman Reception Comviittee J. Watson Browning, Church Treasurer The Sermon Outline A YERY fruitful method of using the blackboard in the pulpit is to write the topic and its divisions and subdivi- sions as they are developed in the preaching. The text may be first given. Then the topic — then the divisions in order. The only difficulty about such a course for many, will be that a sermon so presented to the eye as well as to the ear cannot be repeated very soon. The outline will be well remembered. Eev. Dr. John B. Gough Pidge of the Fourth Baptist Church, Philadelphia, kindly furnishes a sermon outline which may be treated topically. Text Topic (1 Outlined 2 (3 The Unsearchable Riches of Christ. — Uph. 3:8. Paul preached the gospel as something rich and rare. It is an immeasurable store of wisdom, grace, glory. The mind cannot fully explore the wisdom, the heart exhaust the grace, or eternity reveal the glory of Jesus. I. The riches of Christ are unsearchable, in the first place, because the mind cannot fully fathom the depths of His wisdom. Christ's revelation can be understood ; else it were a word of despair. It cannot be fully grasped by man's intellect; for then would it prove itself only human knowledge. It is a plain path, but we cannot trace it to the end. It is a rich mine of gold, with the ore lying near the surface, and easily reached ; but the lodes run so deep, that we can never bring up all the buried treasure. 26 THE SERMON OUTLINE 27 II. In the second place Christ's riches are unsearch- able, because the heart can never exhaust them. They contain a boundless store of grace for the wants of the world. Ko heart's needs, however deep and desperate, can overtax His supply of grace. Jesus said to Paul, in a time of sore trial, "My grace is sufficient for thee " ; and He has proved, through all varieties of human experi- ences, and through all the trials flesh is heir to, that these words are true. No trial is too great for Christ. When the heart is breaking. He can soothe it. When all other comforts fail, His sweet words are heaven's perfect balm and cure for the wounded spirit. III. In the third place, the riches of Christ are un- searchable, because it will need all eternity to reveal His glory. We shall behold it in ever- varying phases, in ever- increasing beauty, in ever-growing splendour. If the un- seen presence of the Saviour is so sweet, that, not having seen Him, we love Him, what will it be to see the King in His beauty % If it is here so blessed to sit at His feet, and listen to His word, what will it be to see Him face to face ? If it is so good here to serve Him, when the body strives against the spirit, and holds it to earth, like a teth- ered bird, what will it be to obey Him, when the spirit is as free as angels are ? Even now our commonwealth is in heaven, though we as pilgrims roam a foreign land. By and by we shall be at home, and share the glory of Christ, and find as we see more and more of it, that it still remains unsearchable, past finding out. Faith and Faithfulness By Eev. Wilbur F. Ceafts, D. D. (^Draw the picture of a bridge having four arches. Name the arches as the address is given.) Faith is a bridge between sin and God consisting of four arches : — first, the arch of BELIEF, built by the intel- lect ; second, the arch of SUBMISSION, built by the will ; third, the arch of TRUST, built by the heart ; fourth, the arch of FAITHFULNESS, of faith made full by application in action, built by the life. Faith is sometimes put into contrast with reason. Nay^ reason builds the first arch. "He that would come to God, must believe that He is.^^ Before any one can really submit his will to God, he must be intellectually convinced there is a God. It is essential that this arch should be strongly built, for no bridge is stronger than its weakest part j but it need not be slowly built. The first male member of the Christian Church in Europe, the jailor of Philippi, said his prayers to his heathen household gods at nightfall, but learned enough of Christian truth from Paul between midnight and morn- ing to be baptized and received into the church with his whole household by an apostle. This arch is not built of many bricks of petty beliefs, but of three great stones, quickly quarried and placed : belief in the existence of God, in the Bible as the Word of God, and in Christ as the Son of God. But the first arch of belief is not saving faith. Herods and devils go that far. ^ ' Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that, thou believest." But he was a Herod still. And "the devils believe and tremble.^' 28 FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS 29 Let US part company with them by stepping on the second arch of submission built by the will, saying, ''I will arise and go unto my Father." This submission is not a sad resignation to God's will, as if it were some dreadful thing, but, the glad acceptance of a wiser will, as of a son yielding to his wise and loving father. Sub- mission, first an act, becomes a state of loyalty, which is what we mean by consecration, and that is meant by praying without ceasing, since glad submission is the constant element in prayer, and in religion itself. But one is only a half Christian, who is only a Chris- tian in the will. In the words of MacDonald, ''When God's will is our law, then we are but a kind of noble slaves ; but when God's will is our will, then are we His free children. ' ' That brings us to the third arch of trust, built by the heart, which is, also, first an act and then a state. Trust does not mean emotion, though it often leads to joy, and especially to peace. The boy of ten illustrated it, who was asked why he thought Christ had forgiven his sins, and replied, " Because He said He would — ' If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. ' ' ' But faith must not stop here. While Paul warns those of every age who begin the bridge at the wrong end, with outward forms instead of inward faith, with conduct in- stead of character, James warns those who stop with in- ward experiences, that three-fourths of a bridge will not take them across the stream. The fourth arch of works, of FAITHFULNESS, must be built by the life. Helpful Object Lessons BY REV. DR. CHARLES M. SHELDON In a recent letter to the author Dr. Charles M. Sheldon writes of some easy lessons to children by the aid of objects. The exercises are so suggestive and may encourage others to undertake this character of work, that the letter giving the lesson hints is given herewith. Eev. Egbert F. Y. Pierce, D. D., Scranton, Pa. Bear Brother : — In reply to your kind letter, I do not know that I am able to suggest anything original to one who has made such a specialty of illustratiou. I am, however, at present working out a series of illustrated sermons for my Sunday-school, and among them might suggest a sermon on keys to different doors of life. I have a number of locks with corresponding keys to fit, and label the locks plainly so the children can see, ^'Difficul- ties, " ' ' Happiness, " " Power, " ' ' The Christian Life, " etc., and the keys labeled likewise to fit each one, as, for example. Happiness would have for the key to unlock it ''. Obedience to God,'^ and 'VDifBculties" would have a key labeled, ''Faith," and ''The Christian Life" would have a key labeled "Love." Then the master key which would unlock all these locks would be Love to God and man. This is the outline simply of a very plain sermon on a phase of the development of life as it faces difficul- ties, ambitions, temptations, etc. There is an illustration also on the value of a soul, which I have not yet worked out, consisting of a scale, on one side of which is a globe representing the whole world and on the other images of people representing hu- manity, so weighted as to outweigh the world in value. This could easily be carried out by any one. Wishiug you success in your work, I am. Very cordially yours, Charles M. Sheldon. 30 Christ's Thought of Childhood BY EEV. CHARLES EOADS, D. D. (MaU. 18 : 1-15) Froebel says he received his ideas upon which he founded the kindergarten from suggestions in Christ's teaching. He says, ''Jesus knew the child better than any one who ever lived." I. In what points is the child-spirit the model Chris- tian spirit : 1. In having faith in a person rather than in mere statement. The child believes the good man, or believes in God the person, not in creed simply. Its faith is therefore upon God's love, power, and wisdom, which is beyond all promises. 2. In feeling joy in being dependent. Childhood is the only period when it is pleasant to cling to another or to be dependent. 3. In adjusting self properly to all expression and work. The self- unconsciousness of childhood is the ideal. 4. In genuine love of worship. The child is deeply religious. Nothing is more enjoyed than prayer. II. How the child-spirit is the way to greatness : 1. Eeally humble God can do His greatest work in it and by it. 2. Self-unconsciousness, it is a channel for greatest personal power. III. The spirit of Christ is in the child : Whosoever receives the child receives Him. 31 Word Exercises and Simple Outline Sketches '* Go ye into all the world.''— Mark 16 : 15. Reach Preach Teach Each. Why I Should be a Christian. {Christ desires it. I need it. Of my influence. Of the good I can do. My destiny depends upon it. •' Those that seek Me early shall find Me."— Prov. 8 : 17. F ather R edeemer Will You Seek I ntercessor Jesus as E xample N eed D eliverer. ^' I go to prepare a place for you." — John 14 : 2. H appiness E terual life A bounding love V ictor's crown E ndless joys ^ N ever fading light. 32 A Place OF WORD EXERCISES AND SIMPLE OUTLINE SKETCHES 33 *^ Follow Me."— Matt. 9 : 9. A Great Personal Call to Affectionate Enlarging Life. Imperative Fear the Lord."— 1 Sam. 12 : 14. F aithfulness ^f" | | F" L aw E arnestness I II I O rder A dvancement I ri | R eward R ighteousness III ^m D emaud. Beware of — S lighting God's love I dolatrous worship N eglecting God's commands. Shall Gleams of Assurance. Be given you, Luke 11 : 9 Find '' '' Be opened '' '^ Be done, John 15 : 7 Eeceive, John 16 : 24 Give Holy Spirit, Luke 11 : 13. ^' Have Faith in God."— Mark 11 : 22. F ollowing A ccepting Show it by I nviting T rusting H onouring God 34 PENCIL POINTS FOR PREACHER AND TEACHER " My Peace I Give Unto You."— John 14 : 27. P erfect E xceeding A cceptable C omplete E ternal. ^^ Ye Must Be Born Again."— John 3 : 14-17. The New Birth. Doctrine, Salvation by faith. Argument, The love of God provided a way for our redemption. Illustration, As Moses lifted uj) the serpent. Application, Whosoever believeth shall not perish. A Cancellation Exercise. Question. Affirmation. Exortation. Can I fiiid refuge in Jesus ? I find refuge in Jesus Find refuge in Jesus Refuge in Jesus In Jesus Jesus . Consolation. Exaltation. Satisfaction. The Sum of Paulas Teachings.— Acts 20. J ustification by faith. E ternal life. S alvation through Christ. U nconditional self-surrender. S acrificing service for others. Caution, ''Take heed." H ope, "God is able to build you up." R emember the words of the Lord Jesus. I ndustry, "These hands have laboured." S ervice. So help others. T reasures, Time, talents for God. WORD EXERCISES AND SIMPLE OUTLINE SKETCHES 35 Matt. 11 : 28. C onfidingly. O penly. M eekly. E aruestly. C. E. Blackall, D. D. ^'Everything shall live whithersoever the river coin- eth."— Ezekiel 47 : 9. n^^ x>' f C Its Source— Within the temple, ihe Kiver ot ) j^^ Course— Through the world, balvation ^ j^^ Force— ' ' Everything shall live. ' ' ''Come unto Me " "I will give you rest "—Matt. 11 : 28. C hrist f Pardon O ffers Peace Me The Eest of < Provision E terual Life. Patience ^ Power. "A man in Christ"— 2 Cor. 12 : 2. Has r Life Light Love Liberty In His Name Loyalty Liberality Labour "Daniel purposed in his heart." — Dan. 1 : 8. r Purpose Promotion. 36 PENCIL POINTS FOR PREACHER AND TEACHER JOSEPH'S Sale I ip- 1^ Safety. Temptation I l_ I 1 Triumph. Prison I i I I "^^ Promotion. Prudence I I 11 Plenty. Wisdom i^ 1— li^ Wealth. BECAUSE ** The Lord was with Joseph." C. R. Blackall, D. D. .cv.t Lllc! inh. JESUS w, coigiTO'i*! ' C reator. John 1 : 3. H oly One. Psa. 16 : 10. R ansom. Mark 1 : 45. -^I:-n;pianuel. Matt. 1 : 23. S af iour. Luke 2 : 11. I^T rue God. 1 John 5 : 20. C. R. Blackall, D. D. - la laeri edT .'19-770^ ^ .sliJ Ua-: Lot's Wife 1 insrered Xhl ishfully. Losf YY4« QmJBlLACKALL, D. D. smBM aiH nl Tt'i9diJ )^ sbH ALLITERATI^^tfN^S. By Rev. Courtland Myers, D. D. The gfeat (*&tfee.'''"^'^^^t^^Amf^m^ffla^ft?.^'' 1. CMcjgfi.Jas^ur MIND, '.ooilorno'i^ WOUn EXERCISES AND SIMPLE OUTLINE SKETCHES 37 Foul' Great F's. Four Wonderful C's. Fact, /CONVICTION, Feeling, I ■ONVEESION, Faith, I .ONFESSION, Fidelity. \J ONSECR ATIOK SERMON OUTLINE ON "PRAYER.'^ Rev. Cornelius Woelfkin, D. D. Matt. 6 : 6. *' When thou prayest''— PERIOD— time. " Enter into thy closet "—PLACE— closet. ''Shut to the door"— PRIVACY. "Pray to thy Father"— PERSON. ''Thy Father shall reward thee"— PROMISE. BIBLE MARGIN NOTES. Mrs. Helen Dunn Gates. Numbers, Wanderings in Because of R^^*^^^^ ^^^ ilderness Because of [Jisobedienee. Joshua. Canaan Qeople onquered. p ossess. Achan's steps down (Josh. 7). I saw I eye, coveted | An Evil purpose, took! A,B.C/0f The Gospel. In "Notes from Mr. Moody's Bible" we find the following brief and simple statement of Bible facts which he calls "The A. B. C," of the Gospel. r A 11 have sinned. Eom. 3 : 23. For the sinner < B ehold the Lamb of God. John 1 : 29. ( C ome unto Me. Matt. 2 : 28. p .. f A ccepted in the Beloved. Eph. 1 : 6. ^or tne } g i^^^^ ^^^^ r^n spiritual blessings. Eph. 1:3. Jieiiever ^ ^ oj^piete in Him. Col. 2 : 10. :o:- Davio ^Olomon Paul C. E. Blackall, D. D. 39 40 PENCIL POINTS FOB PREACHER AND TEACHER The Blackboard 1. Attracts attention. 2. Enlists the eye. 3. Arouses and assists tlie imagina- tion. 4. Maices clear ttie trutli. 5. Assists tlie memory. 6. Makes teaching more attractive. Eev. James A. Worden, D. D. How A Crooked Christian After failing by trimming the worst corners (t. e., by "Reform") to become a well - rounded character, finally Christ-filled,— Became A Church Worker. Rev. Harold Kennedy. A great thought for every day aud hour. I Cor. 3: lb I Cor. 5: 7 Rev. W. F. Crafts. D. D, BLACKBOARD HINTS 41 MY GIFT TO CHRIST - HERE I GIVE MY BODY MY ALL SPIRIT TO THEE," FREELY, FULLY and FOREVER [Signed,] rsa. xxxi. 5. Beware ! There was great danger in Israel's cry, ^' Give us a King." Butterflies must not flutter near the flame else their wings will be singed. Eev. Wilbur F. Crafts, D. D. 42 PENCIL POINTS FOB PREACHER AND TEACHER The Transfer of Centre is the Beginning of the True Life, Plans, hopes, etc., tend- ing to the Self Life. The true life begins when Christ becomes the centre. All plans, hopes, etc., cen- tre in Him. Eev. Wayland Hoyt, D. D. I Will Give Thee Rest." R edemption from sin. E ase from thy burden. S trength for thy needs. T riumph over temptation. All the great thoughts of God for us, are expressed in little words, which may be spelled on our finger tips. The Ideal Home Circle (5o&'s (Breat Salvation The Greatest Question of Life. Acts 16 : 30. The Only True Answer. Acts 16 : 31 ; John 3 : 16 ; Romans 10 : 9, 10. Romans 1:4. Hebrews 2:1-3. John 6:37. John 5:24. Phil. 3: 20, 21. THE P ACT OF MY A TTENTION . TO MY I MY T MY H OPE IN NTENTION . TOWARD RUST IN 1 I) The Believer's Joy. 1 Peter 1 : 3-5. Rev. R. M. Russell, D. D, 43 Footsteps to Victory Rev. C. C. Pieece. 44 Los Angeles, CaL FOOTSTEPS TO VICTORY 45 Two little chaps attempted to see wliicli could make the straightest tracks across the snow. (Draw two fences.) One started well and finished straight. (Draw footprints straight across. ) The other walked all over the field and finished near the corner. (Draw crooked path.) The second boy wanted to know how the first succeeded in walking so straight. '^ Why," he said, "I looked at the tree (draw green tree) and walked straight towards it." Jhe .other boy said, "I just looked at my feet and tried to keep 'them straight." Moral : have an aim in life. -o:j 81 l3;i<'Io 'US ) liii Eev. D. E. Lewis. §rriIIf-/7 9'iG ofiTz -rIqo^>q 'io hii"^ o . 0(1-/7 ti Gin ^d^ iiu) ^H-giiUii "to 81'k;8 im ^ .'ihsmiii ji'ioiT &d1 ob ilrrr odi7 eno ^li^ .f-^j .VJ- sac exnog bat o1 ^ni/leeg bho'rr ?\d^ if^iro'i/it eg .'il'jg'ruoir ob o1 jii'^iio no"^ \i-Ai~ff oh oj agls 8t A Talk on Duty BY REV. C. C. PIERCE D-U-T-Y D-oing U-seful T-hings Y-ourself. Doing things. There are plenty of people who can tell how things ought to be done, plenty of people who will propose a great many things that need to be done, but the world needs most of all the man who will do things. Useful things. There are plenty of people who are doing things. Some are doing silly things, some useless things, some bad things, some idiotic, and utterly unrea- sonable things, but the world needs and will honour the man who is able to do the useful thing. The man who can serve his race by performing some worthy act, is the- one whom the world will honour most in the end. Things. One of the definitions of ^^hing" in the Standard Dictionary is ''a particular object, event or circumstance." If we are to master the things of life, we must be definite, and fasten our thought and our endeavour on some one thing, and hold it there till our object is ac- complished. Yourself. There are no end of people who are willing , to have others do all sorts of things, but the man who does his duty, is the one who will do the work himself. Don' t go through this world seeking to find some one else to do what you ought to do yourself. 46 Good and Bad Companions BY EEV. CHARLES ROADS, D. D. Use blocks with figures of boys or girls on the end. These can be purchased at toy stores. I. Effect of Bad Company. The dark block at the end knocks down all who go with him. One block may be near the edge of a great temptation or disaster and once knocked down he goes to death or to terrible crime. II. The Help of Good Company. ifiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiN'i'iiiiiiiiTiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiPiiniiii'i''i'i!P^ Three of our boys bind themselves together in love for Christ and His Church and now they cannot be over- thrown. The one standing alone can be. 47 48 PENCIL POINTS FOR PREACHER AND TEACHER But the three also persuade that one to join them, and even the bad boy soon after. III. So Jesus Becomes Their Companion. miiuiuiuiHiuttimBuiminiiiniinmiinmunninwnuuimunnmmnwnHiiiiiimiiHiniiit Jesus is near though they cannot see Him. He sends His Spirit upon each of them. (Set little candles upon each block.) The Crayon and Object Exercise Many interesting lessons may be taught by combining the crayon sketch with the use of the object. I have frequently taught some forceful lessons on ''Life's Con- trasts'^ by the use of crayons and objects. For exam- ple, David used to sing, ''In Thy presence is fullness of joy." But one day David welcomed sin into his life, and it shattered his song of holy joy. In speaking of David's sin we can picture the shattered song of his life, and the missing note in his character. As we make the application to the way sin shatters our life song, quickly draw around the broken staff of music the outline of a heart, leaving the "Joy " note outside. N ji i '^pR ^ ft ; kA) 10 ruuNr.^ ■jx/Ji THE Missing Nork f^.^Y.f*. 49 50 PENCIL POINTS FOE PREACHER AND TEACHER In contrast with this lesson, let us gather some precious teachings from things about us. ^^Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord.'^ '^Consider the lilies." Even the flowers may bring us messages from God. Have a number of flowers, real ones. Speak of the lesson of the flowers, and quickly sketch the outline of each on the blackboard : The rose — beauty ; the lily — purity ; the car- nation — grace ; the violet — fragrance ; the pansy — humil- ity ; the forget-me-not — remembrance ; the tulip — resur- rection ; the daisy — hope. Arrange them in the follow- ing order, and if possible sketch them while talking, using bits of coloured crayon. C/»RNATI0N Pansy Forget],, NOT- \lf _Q^/SY Tulip Speak of children often placing their ears against the telegraph poles to listen to the vibrations of the telegraph wires, and how they imagine the vibrations to be mes- sages passing through the wires. Let us now place the poles by our flowers and seek for their messages. [Make vertical lines.] Oh, we need the wires as well as the poles if the mes- suges shall be given to us. Let us now place the wires on our poles. [Make lines of music stafi".] Still we cannot tell the great message of the flowers un- less we know how to interpret the signs. Let the musician come and tell us what the flowers say. THE CRA YON AND OBJECT EXERCISE 51 ^^^ —^ o ^ vL^ "^ c:> ^ y^ He will place a strange mark on the wires, then a sharp mark, and strike the keys of the organ. As the flower notes are touched, hearken ! hear the flowers' song of hope and peace and love and power. Now quickly draw around the staff of music and flower notes, the out-line of a heart. Let us sing the flowers' song, and by the help of God make it the true song of our heart. ^'Praise God from whom all blessings flow." OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS The Open Word Text : The law of Thy mouth is better unto me than thou- sands of gold and silver. — Ps. 119 : 72. We do not value as much as we should the reading of the Bible. Many persons are so much interested in get- ting money they do not take time to read the Bible ; but David says God's word is of more value than thousands of dollars. We easily forget that the Bible is the inesti- mable gift of God to man and is his rule and guide for our faith and practice. IN'ature may teach us of the power and wisdom of God. The rocks may teach us of His strength, the flowers of His beauty, the stars of His glory ; but the Bible tells us of God's character, His holiness, justice, mercy, love. "Wonderful things in the Bible I see, But this is the dearest that Jesus loves me." In ancient times the Scriptures were written on slips 55 56 PENCIL POINTS FOB PREACHER AND TEACHER of parchment, and these were rolled on sticks, hence the Book was sometimes called the ^'Koll." But God has made it possible for us to have His word in the more con- venient form of printed pages and a bound volume. This little design represents an open Bible with the ta- bles of the ten commandments open to our view, one part of the Book is sometimes called 'Hhe law," and the other part is called 'Hhe gospel." The Old Testament is called ^' the law" and ends with a curse. The New Testament is the law fulfilled or the gospel of Jesus Christ and ends with a blessing. B-ook of Books. I -nspired of God. B-lessed Truth. L-amp of Life. E-ternal Word. Whatever we worship more than God, that is our god. The things we get from the world are apt to become a snare to us in our religious life. The Israelites borrowed earrings and jewelry of every sort from the Egyptians, but the jewels became a source of sorrow. They were fashioned into a god; they made an object of worship ; IDOLS CAST OUT 57 they caused a broken law ; they turned sweetened waters into bitterness. In developing the blackboard lessons draw first a pic- ture of a heart, and write in it some of the things we often think more of than we do of God : Pride ; Fame ; Fash- ion ; Fortune ; Self. Now erase these words from the heart and draw in their stead a picture of an altar on which is written the words ' ' God Only. ' ' Then represent the words Pride, Wealth, Fame, etc., as being cast out of the heart when the altar of God is erected. The dearest idol I have known, Whate'er that idol be : Help me dear Lord to tear it down And worship only Thee," Lifted Up to Save In developing this topic it is well to describe two scenes, one the uplifted serpent, the other the uplifted Saviour. On one side give a graphic word painting of wander- ing, murmuring Israel, and the plague of fiery serpents. Speak of the people, bitten by the serpents, crying for help, dying. Speak of Moses interceding for the people ; the serpent of brass ; the cure in the form of the curse, placed upon a pole and erected in the midst of the camp, or carried among the suffering. Many accept the invita- tion to ''Look and Live." Kow draw a word picture of the people bitten by the serpent of sin, suffering j sorrowing ; dying. God hears their cry and sends Jesus who takes upon Himself the form of our sinful himianity. ^'Sin came by man, but life and peace by the Son of Man." ^' As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whosoever believeth in Him might not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3 ; 14, 15). 58 LIFTED UP TO SAVE 59 He was lifted up that all the world might see Him ; free for the "Whosoever." He gave life for a look. Many will not believe, because they cannot understand how God can save and help, and they are dying in their sins. We are not commanded to understand, but to be- lieve. Faith demands submission and obedience. Knowl- edge comes afterwards. Suggestions : — Draw a pole on which a serpent is sus- pended. Above this place rays of light which cast a shadow from the pole forming the cross. Draw also the outline of a cross bearing the name "Jesus," and apply the lesson of the golden text. Ai-ound both serpent and cross draw the outline of a Bible and emphasize the teach- ings of the eternal word, concerning the Christ who was "Uplifted to Save." Colour Hints : — Make the pole scarlet with white outline ; make the serpent brown and yelloio with ivhite dots. Eays of light yelloiVj cross light hliie to represent a shadow. " There is life for a look at the crucified one, There is life at this moment for thee, Then look, sinner, look unto Him and be saved, Unto Him who was nailed to the tree." Temple Teachings Our blackboard sketch represents the outline plan of the Tabernacle, as given by God to Moses. The Holy and the Most Holy places are indicated, and the furniture placed in the divine order. 1. Outer court of the Tabernacle ; 2. The Brazen Altar of sacrifice ; 3. Laver ; 4. Holy Place ; 5. The Table of Shew Bread ; 6. The golden candlestick ; 7. Golden altar of incense ; 8. Veil separating the Holy from the Most Holy place ; 9. The Holy of Holies ; 10. The Ark of the Covenant, containing the Tables of the Law, the Pot of Manna and Aaron's rod which budded. 60 TEMPLE TEACHINGS 61 The lesson of the day may be impressed by the draw- ing of this sketch while the several points are developed. The Tabernacle was set up in the midst of the camp of Israel. Marks indicating the tents of the wilderness pil- grims may first be drawn. Then make the lines representing the outer court of the Tabernacle. Within this sacred inclosure place the square indicating the Brazen Altar on which the sacrifices were offered ; then place the Laver fountain, used for the cleansing of the priests before they could enter upon their ministries, within the sacred place. !N'ow draw the outline of the Tabernacle proper which was divided by the veil into the unequal rooms called the Holy and the Most Holy places. In the Holy Place indi- cate the Table of the Shew Bread with its twelve loaves of unleavened bread for the priests in their temple service. Then make the Golden Candlestick having its seven lamps continually burning. Before the veil mark the place of the golden altar, on which fire was kept continually burn- ing. Within the veil place the Ark of the Covenant containing the two Tables of the Law, Aaron's rod that budded, and the Pot of Manna. Many spiritual lessons may be taught from the plan and furnishings of the Tabernacle. Suppose we speak of our spiritual progress from the world of sin to our heavenly home. Each article of furniture may indicate some ordi- nance or important feature of Christian life and ministry. The Sacrifice, Baptism, the Church, the Lord's table, the Light of the Spirit, the shining Light from the beaten oil of God's Word, Intercessory Prayer, the Secret Chamber, the place of Chosen ministry, Unbroken law, and Heav- enly food. A Refuge in Trouble Text : He that dwelleth in the secret ])lace of the Most High, sJmll abide under the shadow of the Almighty. — Ps. 91 : 1. This lesson places great emphasis on the safety of the Christian believer : — Nearness to Christ ; relationship to Christ ; fellowship with Christ ; life in Christ ; kept by the power of Christ ; all are beautifully taught in this Scripture lesson. What blessed assurances are found in this protection Psalm? Safety, peace, comfort, triumph, are the sweet blessings of which the Psalmist sings. They flow as a river from its source, from the fountain in the first verse : '' He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Suggestions :— Draw an outline of the Ark of the Cov- enant ; Describe the ''Mercy Seat," the ''wiugsofthe A REFUGE IN TROUBLE 63 cherubim" — its sacredness, — carried by the priest ; con- tents : tables of the Commandments j pot of manna ; Aaron's rod. No harm can come to the Christian who lives up to his privilege of dwelling in the secret of God's presence. He whose heart and hopes are "within the veil" has com- munion with God in the Holy of Holies, the secret place of the Most High. No man can pluck the Christian out of the hand of Christ, if he is abiding under the shadow of the Almighty. Here is the place of protection, the place of shelter, the place of instruction, the place of hapi)iness. Keeping the Sabbath Text : Six days may worJc be done ; but in the seventh is the Sabbath of rest, holy to the Lord. — Exodus 31 : 15. The Sabbath is older tban the ten commandments. When God finished His creative works He rested on the seventh day and hallowed it, and it was in some measure always recognized as a day of rest and spiritual refresh- ment. We cannot call to remembrance that which we have never known. God said, ^'i^ewiem&er the Sabbath day to keep it holy." As we remember the day we must recall the duty, to "keep it holy." We must abstain from seeking our personal pleasures or profits, and set apart the day to the work and the worship of God. List- lessness and laziness, and indifference, and idleness do not constitute rest. Many persons think they can lie abed longer Sabbath mornings than on all other days of the week, or lounge around the house, or go out driviug, or go visiting, and call it resting. God is not i^leased if we 64 KEEPING THE SABBATH 65 seek our comfort at the expense of others, whether man or beast. Sabbath breaking is a great source of evil. Because the Jews failed to keep God's day holy many evils rolled in upon them like a flood. Adversity befalls the indi- vidual and destruction befalls the nation that pollutes the Sabbath day. Many rich blessings are promised if we shall observe the law and follow its teaching. We can best rest on this day by filling our minds with His thoughts, filling our hearts with His love, filling our lips with His praises, filling our hands with His service, filling our lives with His peace. I wish every one would commit to memory these lines : * ' A Sabbath well spent, Brings a week of content, And health for the toils of to-morrow. But a Sabbath profaned. Whatsoe'er may be gained. Is a certain forerunner of sorrow." Heroes of Faith Text ; Ye shall not come into the land concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein^ save Caleb, the son of Jephunneh and Joshua, the son of Nun. — Num. 14 : 30. Go Forward! j^%. / ' ^^v^iOfi^^l^^HiB^ i^^p ' ^ ^^ .,^0D Will Help Th EEl. This is a beautiful lesson on the heroism of faith. Moses sent men to spy out the land before them when they came before the promised land. The spies returned but their reports greatly differed. The majority were appalled at the strength of the cities, and the stature of the people. They saw the goodly land, but they saw the giants and feared them. Caleb and Joshua presented a minority report. They were men of faith and believed that the God of Israel was greater than the giants of the enemy. Walled cities, disciplined armies, and strong men were as nothing to the things which Jehovah had already overcome for Israel. ''Be of good cheer, the Lord who has opened a path through the Eed Sea, who has fed us with angel's food, who has opened a fountain 66 HEROES OF FAITH 67 in the heart of the rock, surely He will give us victory ; go up and possess the land." But the words of the faith- ful men were not heeded. The people rebelled ; the ten unfaithful spies died of the plague, and a long, sad journey, years of wilderness wandering lay before the re- bellious people, and multitudes of these perished in the way. God sets before us a ''goodly land " ; by faith in Him and with the sword of the Spirit we can overcome the enemies within, and the foes without. Let us be of good courage and ''go up and possess the land." Caleb and Joshua were heroic in their faith and they were permitted to enter the land of promise. "Faith is the victory that overcomes the world." where is Thy Refuge Cities of refuge for the slayer, in the old dispensation ; a cross of refuge for the sinner in the new dispensation. The one, fleeing for safety in the city of refuge, is a par- able in action of the sinner fleeing from the wrath of God, and seeking salvation and security in Jesus Christ, the incarnation of the love of God. Additional interest in the blackboard review of this lesson may be developed by using a cancellation exercise. Write on the board the sentence : Where Can I Find Eefuge? First emphasize the power of Jesus Christ to save a lost soul. Erase the word " Where" and we have left a per- sonal question ; erase the word '^ can" and we have left the Christian's security; erase the word ''I" and there remains a fervent appeal to the unconverted. Erase the word ** find " and emphasize the precious word " Refuge." 68 WHERE IS THY REFUGE "Say, where is thy refuge poor s)nner, And what is thy prospect to-day? 'Twill profit thee nothing, but fearful the cost, To gain the whole world if thy soul would be lost." Colour Hints : — Make the wall stone colour, with white outlines ; cross scarlet, white outlines 5 pathway white. Answered Prayer A MOST wonderful object lesson is presented for our study. Elijah the prophet of the Most High God stands alone amidst all the prophets of Baal, and the forces of an evil kingdom and corrupt court, to prove that Jeho- vah Omnipotent reigneth and that He alone is the true God. The fire descended in answer to Elijah's prayer ; the sacrifice was consumed, the enemies were silenced, the false priests were overcome, the king was convinced, and God was honoured. We do not know how much power we may have when linked with God. We may not bring the literal fire from heaven, but we can take hold of the power of God and bring from the skies the pentecostal shower which shall put to flight the hosts of evil, and honoui* the name of our God. 70 Do Not Be Discouraged What a great contrast between the lesson of Elijah's triumph and the lesson of Elijah's despair. In one we see Elijah the prophet of God, moved with a holy im- pulse, obedient, zealous, fearless, prayerful, expectant, triumphant. The other shows him fearful, fleeing, alone, weary, discouraged, despondent, anxious to die. God can't use discouraged people. God first minis- tered to the physical wants of the weary, discouraged, heart-sick prophet. He gives him sleep, sweet restorer of exhausted energies. He gives him food to nourish the body. And then comes encouragement to mind and heart in the new commission to service. God often blesses us and gives us great victories over self and sin. Then tempta- tions and trials come and we are apt to be discouraged and flee to some juniper tree, fearful and despondent. How much better in the exegencies of life to flee to Jesus our Lord and Saviour. He has bidden us come. He has promised to succour us when tempted, deliver us when tried, and give us victory through faith in Him. In the hour of need run quickly to Jesus, and He will sustain thee. 71 Living Again Text : And ivhen EHsha teas come into the house, be- hold the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in, therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the Lord.— 2 Kings 4 : 32, 33. tU6HARMS.0TH. De*oc«„„ ^^^Hji*?'^^*'te r ■jjW % RFVP .v/^- Death comes to young persons as well as to old per- sons. ^' The old must die, the young may die," is an old maxim, and should be constantly kept in mind. But there is a pleasant thought about de^th, and that is, we may live again, to die no more ; live in the eternity of joy, forever with the Lord. Our lesson is about Elisha raising the Shunammite woman's son to life. The boy had come to gladden her home in fulfillment of the prophet's promise to her. But it "fell on a day " that the child died. The mother, with a faithful heart, hastened to the man of God, and at her request Elisha came to the home and restored the child to life and to her heart again. 72 LIVING AGAIN 73 Praise God for faithful mothers. Praise God for His answers to our heart pleadings and to mothers' prayers. Elisha, restoring this only child to life, leads us to note that Jesus raised from the dead an only son, an only daughter, an only brother. But all who rose from the dead before the resurrection of our Lord Jesus, rose to die again. Jesus suffered and died, and rose again, that all who henceforth are raised through faith in Him should die no more. The ' ' veil has been rent in twain ' ' and we see Jesus the Eesurrection and the Life saying unto all, ''He that liveth and be- lieveth in Me shall never die. Yea, though he were dead yet shall he live again.'' JESUS fe The Young The Reward of Obedience Text : Then went he down and dipped himself seven times in Jordan^ according to the saying of the man of God ; and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child j and he was clean. — 2 Kings 5 : 14. There are many beautiful lessons suggested by the cur- ing of Kaaman, the leper. I would encourage our Junior leaders to take up this chapter by topics and have the members of the school give a few words upon a special topic which can be assigned them before the school opens. Or the topics can be taken up in order as the Scripture is read during the service. First. A Great Need : Naaman was a gallant sol- dier and great in the kingdom, ^^but he was a leper. '^ This defect must be remedied or it will prove fatal. A type of sin. Second. A Godly Maiden : Far from her home and loved ones, a captive and a slave, this little maiden was 74 THE REWARD OF OBEDIENCE 75 loyal to her God. She had taken her religion with her and failed not to witness for the right. Third, A Grand Present from a grateful king and a generous friend ; a royal gift from king to king. The king of Syria was seeking help for his servant, but was misguided as to the source of help. Supernatural powers are not with earthly kings. Fourth. A Great Prophet : Elisha, the man of God, a prophet of the Most High God, a mighty man in word and deed. Fifth. A Gentle Friend : Kaaman was disappointed and angry, hence expostulation was unavailing with him, but true friendship and the gentle words of his servants made a winsome entreaty. Sixth. A Guided Captain : Though a leader himself Naaman was led. He became obedient to the prophet's command. Emphasize the thought of "obedience,'' for it is the key-note of this lesson. " Go wash," the com- mand. "Be clean," the promise. Seventh. A Gracious God, who is waiting to honour his prophet, and who still* waits to heal and help all who come to Him in full obedience to His commands. Eighth. A Genuine Cure : " And his flesh came to him again, like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean" (verse 14). There is a fountain filled with blood, Drawn from Immanuel's veins ; And sinners plunged beneath that flood Lose all their guilty stains. True Friendship The beautiful story of the frieudship of David and Jonathan towers above the Old Testament peaks of human fellowship and points to the New Testament friendship of Jesus. The three golden links which bound their hearts together were : Friendship, Love, and Truth. The greatest human blessing is a true friend. Un- worthy of love, and incapable of loving, is one who can- not appreciate a friend. Moneyless, joyless, homeless are sweet words compared with friendless. Dark, dark is the night of that life which has no friendly stars. Sin's midnight hour was brightened by the star of Bethlehem, and when the Saviour of the world would make known His love and helpfulness. He revealed Him- self as the ^' Friend that stick eth closer than a brother.'^ When hearts are knit together there must be a unity of life and love. 76 TRUE FRIENDSHIP 77 Many so called friends are only such in our hours of prosperity, but in adversity they know us not. A true friend is one forever. False friends are great in the be- ginning, but soon fade away : FR |END The true are ever growing in worth and power FR END Do you want a friend ! Eead Prov. 18 : 24. FaitF) Liroits '^ Gods Supply 9 9 The limitless love and power of God invites our limit- less faith in Him. The miracle of the increased supply of oil in the home of the widow, and the limiting of that supply by the number of empty vessels whxch were brought to be filled, has lessons for the Christian life. God's precious gifts and blessings are only limited by our faith and service. He will supply whenever faith presents to Him the need. 78 PENCIL POINTS FOR PREACHER AND TEACHER In the dying hour Elisha gave to Kling Joash another illustration of this same great blessing. When fearing the power of the enemy Joash was bidden ^' Shoot the arrows" and ^'Strike with the arrows" many times; Joash struck the ground with the arrows three times. This was the limit of his faith, and limited faith means limited victories. Often we have seen the commercial firms marked ^^ Limited." Can we not, because of our lack of faith in God, write over our lives "Christian & Company, lim- ited"? Suggestions : — Draw a picture of a hand pouring out blessings. Beneath the hand draw several jars, and mark them F-A-i-T-H. Apply the lesson, that God will supply as long as our faith holds out. " When there were no more vessels the oil stayed." BE^^ ^'"° f^EADv And ^^ifJfX Ye Small Died. ^^^^^^NoT Live! x^ ;'->... ^ R.FYP " And Elisha died." Quietly and peacefully the hon- oured servant of God entered in to rest. Very difierently do earth's children pass away. Some from lingering beds of affliction : others in the tumult of battle ; others sweetly fall asleep. The day and the hour of departure BE YE ALSO BEADY 79 is known only to God ; but it is for us to know our desti- nation when we leave this world, whether it shall be one of sorrow or of joy. How important to be ready when the Master shall call, for ^ ' It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" (Heb. 9 : 27). As surely as sands falling in the hour glass measure our *'days on the earth," so surely are we passing on to the great eternity. ^' Prepare to meet thy God." God never makes mistakes. He never calls too soon or too late. When He calls, be ready. Prepare to meet Him, like Elisha the prophet, by holy living and holy service. While you should prepare to die, you should with equal earnestness, prepare to live. Seek purity of heart through Jesus Christ, and give a life of devotion to Him. The twenty-third Psalm next to the fourteenth chapter of John's gospel, has perhaps brought more comfort to the hearts of the children of God than any portion of the Scripture. It is one of the first chapters committed to memory in childhood, and grows more and more precious with our advancing years. Here we find the sevenfold blessedness of the believer. 80 PENCIL POINTS FOR PREACHER AND TEACHER 1. Possession — ''The Lord is my Shepherd." 2. Provision — ' ' I shall not want. ' ' 3. Personal leadership — ' ' He leadeth me. ' ' 4. Presence of God — ' ' Thou art with me. ' ' 5. Protection — ''Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me." 6. Plentiful supply of grace — "My cup runneth over. ' ' 7. Peace and rest at last — ' ' I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." This psalm must have been written near the close of David's wonderful life, for it breathes the heart experiences of the aged saint who is almost home. David would write a psalm for pilgrim Israel which should live through the ages. Eemembering all the goodness and greatness and glory of God, he would write of His love and majesty and power. Shall we call God ' ' King ' ' ? No, David was a king, so we would choose a more endearing name for God. He recalls the days of his shepherd life, how he loved his sheep, knew them by name, led them to the best pastures, protected them from danger, sought them when straying, safely folded them at evening time. In the holier sense God was the great Shepherd. David lays his finger tips on the harp strings of Israel, and leads the song, for all the saints of God through all the years of time ; The Lord is my Shepherd No want shall I know : He leads in green pastures Where still waters flow. The secret of David's power was prayer, praise and trust. These three forces compassed his life, and the Lord blessed his kingship and established the nation. THE SECRET OF DA VIIXS FO WEB 81 Faith in God will lead us to pray for His pardon, peace and power j praise for God's love and mercy will help us to magnify His name. Trust in the Lord will bring us peace here and hereafter. Suggestions : — Draw an equilateral triangle, bearing the words Prayer, Praise, Trust. Draw, also the rod of pro- tection and comfort, and the shepherd's staff of help and leadership. Draw a harp and the notes of comfort and peace. Eest — IN — THE — Lord. ' God's people have a song ; in trial they sing of hope, till the shadows flee and the troubles pass away j in sor- row they sing of comfort, love and peace ; in captivity they sing of liberty and the homeland. In prosperity their song of thanksgiving is filled with joy, rest and praise. The book of Psalms is a collection of sacred hymns for all ' ' The Israel of God. ' ' They touch the heart of all His believing children, and fit the experiences of the present as well as of past centuries. The blackboard sketch suggests two great lessons. First, the welcome worship in the house of God. " I was 82 PENCIL POINTS FOB PREACHER AND TEACHER glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.^^ Second, the song of thanksgiving for the Christian love and service. Colour Hints : — Make the book white with orange colour and scarlet edges ; make the doors brown with white out- line ; make the walls light blue with white lines to repre- sent stone masonry ; make the heart orange colour with white outline : make the notes white. It should be a source of comfort to us that the imper- fections of great Bible characters are recorded in the Scripture as well as all of their greatness and good- ness. David fell beneath the great temptation of his life, but he did not fall away from God. Conscious of his sin he cried unto God for forgiveness. He confessed his guilt ; he bitterly repented. He asked to be restored to the divine favour, and we find him ever after walking, with God. His life is an encouragement to all who may have stum- bled along the pathway of life. If men sin they have an advocate in Jesus Christ, and *'if we confess our sin He THE MISSING NOTE 83 is faithful and just to forgive us our sin." I am glad the word "forgive" is in the Saviour's model prayer, rather than the word '' Pardon." Pardon makes us right before the law, but forgiveness takes us into the family and fel- lowship of God. That David felt the joy of a full and free forgiveness is assured from the word '' blessed," used so often by him after his restoration to the favour of God. Suggestions: — The contrasts in David's life may be noted by the two hearts, one bearing a shattered staff of music, with the "joy" note missing; the second heart may be marked "repentance" and the musical staff restored and bearing again the "joy" note. Have we prayed as David did, "Eestore unto me the joy of Thy salvation " I Weighed and Wanting PV/INT/NG Take The I^oklo But Give/^e Jesus S£y. Belshazzar's feast has often furnished food for serious thought, and has been a rich theme for the poet's fancy, as well as a thrilling scene for the artist's pencil. But mind has never conceived, nor poet dreamed, nor artist painted the grandeur and the gloom of that festal night in Babylon's banqueting ball. One hour the merry guests were dwelliug in conscious security, surrounded by the glitteriDg splendour of a great kingdom and licentious court ; gaiety, revelry, sparkling wine, dancing women, mirth and music and song. The next hour the impious kiDg and festive throng, with blanched faces and trem- bling forms, behold the mystic light and words of doom. If we are ever forgetful of God, neglectful of His wor- ship, disobedient of His commands, unfaithful in His service and love the world more than the things of God, may the angel of light give us a warning vision. May He, when we are tempted to sin, bring before us the 84 WEIGHED AND WANTING 85 blanched face of that wicked ruler and his interrupted feast on that awful night. This little picture suggests that the selfish and sinful heart may possess the world, yet without Christ, when weighed in the balances, it is found wanting. "With Christ in the heart we have all things. Without Christ we have nothing. Colour Hints : — Make the scales orange colour, with white outline ; world blue with white lines and heart white J make the hand light pink with white outline. ^t;- .. /^ ^ ^-fne HEART so,^^ 1 M 1 SRAE LS Glad Thanksgiving. '^.F.Y.P.n None can sing with such pathos as those whose hearts have been comforted in great sorrow ; none can sing so joyously as those whose hearts are glad. Israel sung her sweetest song when she was delivered from bondage and restored to the city and temple of her God. While in captivity Israel could not sing her glad sweet songs. Their harps hung silent on the weeping willows which fringed the streams of Babylon. Their captors taunted them saying "Sing us a song," but they said, *' How can we sing the Lord's song in a strange land ? " But the captivity ends, and the people whom God loves 86 PENCIL POINTS FOR PREACHER AND TEACHER return to the promised land. Their hearts are happy, and the harp strings resound with the notes of praise. The blackboard sketch suggests, First : the neglected harp and the silent song. Captivity steals away our joys and silences our song. Sin silences the song of the heart. Secondly : note the glad refrain and the heart hymn of thanksgiving and praise when deliverance comes. Colour Hints : Make the heart orange colour and white outline ; make the cobweb with white lines ; make heart white with scarlet outline ; make musical staff white. Called to Service Text : Who knoweth that thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this f — ^Esther 4 : 14. God's hand is clearly seen in the exaltation of Esther. He will make her a queen that she may serve her people. Esther did not comprehend all that it meant to be placed so suddenly in a position of responsibility and power. When Mordecai said : ''Thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this," he struck the key-note in the highest service of all time. Eiches, honour, power, talents, opportunities have great responsibilities. God wants to place us where we can serve Him best. The motto of every Christian should be "Saved to serve." The larger our opportunities the greater our re- sponsibilities. Suggestions : — In developing the lesson first draw a heart and write in it the name Christian. Around the heart draw a crown to indicate honour. Then 87 88 PENCIL POINTS FOR PREACHER AND TEACHER make a sceptre marked ''Power," and an open hand indi- cating Service. ^iN Brings Ruin ForsakeGoo And He WtLL Forsake You Sin brings ruin. This is true of nations and of men. In this little picture we get a suggestion of the downfall of a great nation that God loved. The fall was not sud- den. Men fall in private life long before they fall in public. Most trees which fall beneath the wintry blast show evidences of a worm eating at the heart. What more could God have done for Judah than was done for them % They had been warned against the consequences of a broken covenant. The prophet had faithfully en- treated ; God gave His people many opportunities to re- pent and return; Isaiah pleaded, ''Let the wicked for- sake his way'' (Isa. 55:7). Ezekiel in captivity in Babylon cried "Turn yourselves from your idols'' (Ezek. 14 : 6). For forty years Jeremiah had been as the voice of God beseeching the people, "Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die !" Although they had sad illustra- tions of their approaching doom, yet they hardened their hearts. Had Israel and Judah hearkened to the word SIN BEINGS RUIN they would not have been destroyed as nations and carried into captivity. If we sin we must suffer. We are prone to emphazize God's promises more than His warnings. We need such lessons as this to remind us that God's judgments stand by the side of His mercies. ' ' Unheeded warnings" should be dwelt upon in the readiug of this lesson. '^ God does all that is possible to save men from sin and ruin ; He puts every kind of obstacle in their path. Warnings, mercies, punishments, entreaties, love, to make the way of the transgressor so hard that they will forsake their evil ways and live." Beware ! Sin led Judah to R-ebellion. U-nhappiness. I -mprisoDment. N-eglect of God. NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS On What Foundation Am I Building Text : It teas founded upon a rock. — Matt. 7 : 25. No life is a success which is not built upon Jesus Christ. He is the " Eock of Ages," the "Sure Foundation," ^' All other ground is sinking sand." Frequently in my illustrated talks I have used a sketch similar to the above blackboard picture. In drawing the house I speak of the building of character, then make the application to the foolish man who builds his house on the sand, or to the wise man who builds upon the rock. Every house must have a foundation. Draw the outline of a cross to represent the '^firm foundation" for the truly successful life. Ask for Scripture texts applicable to the lesson : '^ Underneath are the everlasting arms " ; ' ' Other foundations can no man lay, ' ' etc. " On Christ the solid rock I stand ; All other ground is sinking sand." 93 94 PENCIL POINTS FOB PREACHER AND TEACHER Discipline is sometimes synonymous with discipleship, just as persecution was an attendant of apostleship, in the earlier history of the Church. It must have been a glorious thing to have been an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ ; but for such distinguished honour men paid the price of suffering, sorrow, imprisonment and death. For faithful ministry Peter and the other apostles were arrested and cast into prison. But from the altar of prayer their petitions came up before God as a great cloud of incense, hoth pleasing and pleading to Him. God heard the songs of praise and prayer for deliverance, and He sent the heavenly messenger to open the prison doors, and commissioned the disciples for more aggressive work in His name. God can open more doors than Satan can close. How many of God's dear children are sitting in sorrow and gloom, led captive by the power of the king of evil. How many are in bondage to sin. To all such Jesus says, " I am come to set the captive free.'' Oh, pray for deliverance, for prayer is the mystic key which unlocks the prison doors ^^to them that are unbound." Colour Hints : — Make the altar orange colour ; fire red ; make the incense forming the outline of the heart, light ON WHAT FOUNDATION AM I BUILDING 95 purple or gray, to indicate a cloud or smoke. Make the walls of the prison brown, with white lines. Make the door white. The Life Beautiful. fi n E AL LP 1 N G JESUpmi_ni5TerM . '' p. -F.Y. p. If we take a triangular piece of glass and place it near the window, where the bright rays of the sun fall upon it, we see many beautiful coloured lights reflected upon the wall. Scientists call the glass a prism, and the many coloured ribbon of light on the wall a solar spectrum. This little home made rainbow has the same colours which we see in the larger bow which God often hangs across the sum- mer sky. One little ray of sunlight is separated by the prism into this chain of resplendent colours. Each day in the life of our Lord may be likened to a sunbeam, and the deed of mercy and love of each day's ministry being separated as a sunbeam by the prism we shall see His beautiful life resplendent with the Christ- like service of helping and healing mankind. Suggestions : — Draw a picture of a prism, and repre- sent a beam of sunshine passing through it. Colour Hints : — Make the prism light blue, with white outline ; make the beam of light white, with scarlet out- line ; make the rays from the prism orange colour ; make the letters red and orange colour. Light on the Living Word Our lesson is about a wonderful midnight religious service. Our Lord Jesus the great preacher, and Kico- demus, a ruler among the Jews, constitute the visible portion of the congregation. The invisible congregation have been the millions who have heard the precious Saviour's message through all the years that have passed, or who will hear it in the years to come. The topic of the sermon was " The New Birth " ; the doctrinal teach- ing was *' Salvation by Faith"; the argument was logical, the illustration was historic and beautiful, and the application was personal. Nicodemus is a type of the earnest seeker after the truth. Jesus opens to him the heart of the gospel mes- sage ; in one stroke He lays bare the infinite love of God for a lost and ruined world. This text is the epitome of the gospel message. 96 LIGHT ON THE LIVING WORD 97 G-od SO loved the world that He gave His O-nly begotten S-on, that whosoever believeth in Him should not P-erish, but have E-verlasting L-ife (John 3 : IG). Colour Hints : — Draw a pictui'e of the open Bible (white with scarlet edges). Make the reading desk light blue. Make the cross outline of scarlet and white, and rays orange colour. (Jesus Can Make the. Blino To See The little picture for this blackboard lesson presents the thought of the miracle which Jesus performed in the opening of the eyes of the man which was blind, and the application of the lessons of the miracle to the heart of the sinner which has been cleansed by the touch of this same Jesus. As we present this lesson we may ask some very prac- tical questions in applying the truth. 1. Are you spirit- ually blind ? 2. Have you heard of the light ? 3. Are you conscious of your blindness % 4. Do you wish to see ? 5. Can you buy your sight ? 6. Can any human friend give you sight? 7. Have you heard of Jesus Christ ? 8. Have you heard of any to whom He has given sight ? 9. 98 PENCIL POINTS FOB PREACHER AND TEACHER Have you heard of His promises to give sight to the blind? 10. Have you asked Him to open your eyes? 11. Have you come close enough for Jesus to touch your eyes? 12. If we are blind and can be made to see, shall we not be condemned if we do not have our eyes opened ? The sin-blinded heart has its peculiar and limited joys, because it is unconscious of the ''Light of the World." The sinner is contented in his circumscribed pleasures because he knows nothing of the realm of grace which has eternal joy. Suggestions : — Draw first the picture of the eye which is blind ; then draw the opened eye with the hand touch- ing it. Then in making the application draw the sin- stained heart, and the cleansed heart. If possible have a quartette of singers sing that beautiful gospel hymn ''The Light of the World is Jesus." Calming the Storm Text : He arose and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. — Mark 4 : 39. ^^H.^^^^^^"'" :5 Christ Jesus G ^^^^B' !V£TH Peace' ^' Peace" is preeminently the Christian's word. It was carolled by angels on the first Christmas morn when Jesus ''The Prince of Peace" was born. It was the sweetest message of comfort that Jesus could give to His beloved ones in the upper room on the last night of His earthly ministry. Many times He illustrated the lesson during the years of His labour for mankind. When the waters were almost engulfing the little boat on the sea of Tiberius, Jesus calmed the sea by His words, " Peace, be still." When the boat had reached the shore the Christ that had stilled the waves hushed the tempest- tossed, and demon-possessed man by His power and words of '' Peace." To the troub- led soul to-day this same Comforter says: ^^ Peace" ; ^' It is I, be not afraid." 99 100 PENCIL POINTS FOR PREACHER AND TEACHER This little sketch speaks its own lesson. There is safety from the storms of life when we abide beneath His over- shadowing hand. He maketh our storms of life to flee away, and floods our lives with peace. Suggestions: — Draw first the representation of the storm-tossed sea, and clouds above it. Apply the lessons of the storms of life. Second draw the representation of the calm sea, and the calm of the sunrise above the wa- ters. Make the application to Jesus, the '^ Sun of Bighteousness " who rises ''with healing in His wings." There is no assurance of peace away from Christ. "The Lord's our Rock, in Him we hide, A shelter in the time of storm ; Secure whatever ill betide, A shelter in the time of storm. The raging storm may round us beat, A shelter in the time of storm, We'll never leave our safe retreat, A shelter in the time of storm." My Talents Text : And unto one he gave Jive talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability. — Matt. 25 : 15. ^^^^^^^^^^K^I^M^B fm 11 ^^^^^^^^HH|l|||^j^H 11 i ■ /^W ^1^1^ TheGrain Y^^ Planted tv The Harvest R-f y.P ^. Granted. Plant the grain and reap the harvest. Use the pound which God has given, and reap the reward for faithful service. Frankly confess it, dear friend, has not God given you the pound ? It may be small, but He knew how much you could do, and gave you capital accord- ingly. Remember that the talents have been distributed — you have your portion. ' ' Faithful in little, faithful in much. ' ' It might do to keep the pound hidden for a time if the Master never returned — but He returns to take account of your stewardship. Of course, you are honest as the world reckons honesty. A man may be lazy and yet be honest in the eyes of the world, but no one can be faith- 101 102 PENCIL POINTS FOB PREACHER AND TEACHER ful to God and lazy at the same time. That man who is constantly making excuses to God, for undone duties, is very near the ' ' outer darkness. ' ' The using of the pound is our part. '' Trade ye here- with " is a loving command. The increase belongs to God. This is His part of the work. We plant the grain and cultivate it to the best of our ability, but the growth must be left to God. Doing well the little duties of life is as great in His sight as doing well the larger ones. His eye is ever towards the faithfulness of the service rather than to the size of the service or to the field of the labourer. Every service for God is great, ^o planting, no reaping ; no doing for God, no rejoicing with God; no using of the pound, no reward for service. Suggestions : — Draw first a grain of corn. Speak of little things— duties, talents. Have the corn grow as the lesson is developed. Then make one ear of corn — speak of the one little talent producing a great harvest. The Crown Beneath the Cross Text : Whosoever icill come after Me, let Mm deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. — Mark 8 : 34. TaKe Up Tl7y ift» Cross ,lessinqJ Under Tr)e Cross G Crown Earth has its straight lines of the cross of Christian duty. Heaven has the curved lines of the crowns for the faithful. Beneath the cross of duty lies the crown of blessing. There can be no wearing of the crown until we lift the cross, for under the cross is the crown. Some one has analyzed the text for the lesson to-day as follows : ^'Whosoever will come after Me " Gain The Crown of Life. ''Let him deny himself," Sacrifice. ''And take up his cross" Consecration. "And follow Me." Progress. 103 1. 2. 3. 4. Hearing: What and How? Text : Take heed what ye hear. — Mark 4 : 24. Take heed therefore how ye hear, — Luke 8 : 18. The injunction of our Saviour : *' Take heed what ye hear," has many important lessons. It comes first as a warning : '^ Take heed what ye hear." Many lives have been hopelessly ruined by listening to the voice of evil. The voice of sin with persuasiveness, is heard at the ear- gate, seeking an entrance to the citadel of our lives, for the enemy. Oh, dear friend, be careful lest through ear- gate the Adversary should enter and take you captive. Second, the text is the voice of counsel : ' ' Take heed what ye hear.'''' Consider carefully whether it be truth or error, good or evil, pure or impure ; ponder well what effect it will have upon your future life. Our real char- acters may often be determined by the pictures and things we delight to see and the things we delight most to hear. 104 HEABiM: WHAT AND HOW f 105 Third, ''Take heed what ye hear" is the voice of en- treaty. To your life will come the good tidings of peace and life and hope borne on angel wings. Heed the mes- sage of love : ' ' Hear and thou shalt live. ' ^ Suggestions : — Draw an ear. Speak of hearing as one of the doors to the life j then draw a door — after which draw the outline of a heart and make the application to spiritual hearing. ..WouldYou See ^'/Th^w^' i^tiMSti E 5 U S ""*RElSAW; This is an interesting lesson about a little man in a big tree. Zaccheus had heard of Jesus ; the great Teacher was passing near his home ; perhaps He might never pass that way again ; he must hasten to see Him. Picture this rich publican running along the dusty road to get a sight of the Christ who had come all the way from heaven to earth to seek and to save him. Men often seek Jesus not knowing that He is seeking them. So many difficulties were in the way of Zaccheus : official position, character, crowd, reputation, money, but his desire to see Jesus was greater than every diffi- culty. God seems to place sycamores of opportunity within the reach of all who earnestly seek Him. No 106 PENCIL POINTS FOB PREACHER AND TEACHER doubt the action of Jesus that day created a sensation, but He was not averse to being sensational if He might save a sinner. Would you see Jesus ? How much ai*e you willing to overcome that you may see Him, prejudice, position, pride? Our desires circumscribe our delights. The earnest desire of Zaccheus to see Jesus led to the eternal delight of fellowship with Him. It is not enough to see Jesus at a distance, He must abide with us ; in order that He may abide with us, we must come down from all our lofty positions. The chief act of the day was the salvation of the chief among the publicans and sinners. Hints for colouring : — Make the leaves of the tree green •, trunk and branches brown ; wall gray with white lines, mountains light blue. Cast Thy Burden on the Lord Text : God is our refuge and strength^ a very present help in trouble. — Ps. 46 : 1. Do Christians have troubles ? Yes : as long as we are in the flesh we may expect trials, cares, burdens, and sor- rows of many kinds. While we are " in Christ" we are not yet in heaven, and as He was beset with trials on earth we may expect them also. What are we doing with our troubles? Doubtless most people are worrying over them, brooding over the reverses and disappointments, and bleeding over the trials and sorrows ; carrying them into the home life and church life and business life, until they crush out the joy of living and make us a burden to ourselves and our loved ones. What shall we do with our troubles ? Just what Jesus bids us do — ' ' Cast all our care upon Him. ' ' Ee- member that our Lord Jesus Christ is just as great a burden bearer as He is a sin bearer, and the same loving Saviour who promises to forgive our sins also promises to bear our burdens. If we trust Him to carry our sins, we should trust Him to carry our sorrows. 107 "The Shepherd and the Sheep" Text ; My sheep hear My voice j and I know them^ and they follow Me. — John 10 : 27. q^^Po^^noO..Sh,.,^^^ ^j-^vj. i^v|^>^'. •:k'^ V-}-~- ■^'b h h - ■v>J, h r::h- ^S lii'" ^i^fid^a^sssai .uusTest.mo I I cJuSTIF :ation By Faith Have Not Shunned To Declari jToYou The Whole Cou It is a joyous privilege for a former pastor to visit a church which he has faithfully served in the years past. The church honours itself, and honours the Lord's serv- ant, when it warmly greets the minister who in other days poured out his life for them. We can easily believe that Paul had many such loving greetings from churches which he had planted, and which he had served with Christian devotion and unwearied zeal. The greeting of the Church at Ephesus is regarded 130 PENCIL POINTS FOR PREACHER AND TEACHER as characteristic of the loving tie which bound Paul to the people. The two things which most gladdened the heart of Paul when he met the elders of the church at Ephesus, were their sincere love for him, and the con- sciousness of his faithful ministry to them. '^1 have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.'' Paul had not been preaching man-made theories, nor had he been preaching for popularity ; but that the sin- ner and the Saviour might be brought into vital union. All that God revealed to him, Paul preached to the peo- ple. His two great themes were Eepentance and Faith. In developing the lesson on the blackboard, draw a scroll to represent the Word of God. On one side draw the broken commandment and write the word Repentance. On the other side draw a hand holding a cross, and write the word Faith. In the centre of the open scroll place the word J-e-s-u-s and fill out the words as indicated. Colour Hints : — Make the scroll white, shaded with light blue or purple. Let Your Light Shine Text : — We have found the Messiah, brought him to Jesus. — John 1 : 41. And he Ccr The J^IGHT Xf/ Give Th£ JLtGHT. Life's sweetest privilege is to follow Jesus. Here we learn of His (1) Besirdbility ; ^^The one altogether lovely. ' ' (2) His Accessibility ; ' ' All may come to Him. ' ' (3) Of His Ability ; "He is able to do for us abundantly above all we can ask or think." The Christian's supreme duty is to lead others to know and love and follow Jesus. Andrew saw Jesus, heard Him, followed Him. He wished others to share his joy. His first thought was for the loved ones of his own home. He hastened to find his brother Simon, who was not only told of Jesus, but brought to Him. The two great words which compass the sphere of our Christian activities are ' ' Come^ " ^^ Go.^^ Come to Christ : Go tell the world of Christ. While it is a blessed privi- lege to get the light it is the Master's command that we give the light to others, by life and service In His Name. 131 132 PENCIL POINTS FOR PREACHER AND TEACHER Suggestions : — Draw an open book marked Bible. Across its pages place the name Jesus, in letters of light. Make a hand holding a lighted candle, giving the light to another candle, and speak of our duty of spreading the light of Christ to the world. Color Hints : — Draw the outline of the book white with orange colour edges. Make the candles light blue, with scarlet flame and orange rays. Make hand light pink with white outline j candlestick dark brown with white outline. The Slavery of Sin Text : — Whosoever committeth sin, is the servant of sin. -John 8 : 34. ^ v\y^\"''' "*■' \\ ^^M 1 t.Yjx,^^ Y*^flgL_J A^> f<£ s dESUS \W~ "!^*^v5v. ^VW/'A It -A /iX ^ c<-^ Sin enslaves ; this is a spiritual axiom, a self-evident truth. So stealthily does Satan work that we are not conscious of his power over our lives, nor do we realize that he is forging the chains and fetters for our bondage of death, until we are ensnared. He leads us on step by step until we are ruined beyond hope. Many people are in bondage ; not necessarily within prison walls where criminals against the civil laws are confined, nor yet sold into human slavery, and held in bondage as were the slaves in the South before the war. But many are in bondage ; many are bound who wish to be free, and who may be set free. The history of Samson emphasizes the lessons of first, ^'The Binding Power of Sin'' ; second, '^The Blind- ing Power of Sin'' ; third, '^The Grinding Power OF Sin." 133 134 PENCIL POINTS FOR PREACHER AND TEACHER Cords, bonds, and prison bars are holding many per- sons from their liberties ; multitudes of others are held by doubts, superstitions, envy, lust, passion, intemper- ance, and sins of every kind. Whatever holds us in bondage can be broken. God can open more doors than Satan can close. God can de- liver us from the secret sins of our lives and from all the forces of evil which holds us in subjection. '^ Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make ye free." ''Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.'' Galatians 5 : 1. Suggestions : — Draw the outline of a heart with marks to represent a prison wall, and an open door of a cell. Across the heart draw a cross, extended to represent a sword also. In applying the blackboard sketch to a tem- perance lesson let the extended sword strike the wine cup and smite the serpent. Colour Hints :— Make the outline of the heart white, make the walls gray with white lines j make cross scarlet, with white outlines j rays yellow. How to Please God Text : — Children obey your parents in all things^ for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. — Col. 3 : 20. Obedience to parents is a command of God, but it is a loving command with a beautiful promise. The funda- mental principle of childhood is obedience to parents. The great multitude of boys and girls who go astray in life, whose lives are broken and hopes are blasted, can trace their downfall to lack of reverence to parents ; a disobedience of the laws of home ; and a disregard for parental authority. Honour thy father and mother by L-iving upright lives ; Obeying their commands ; V-oluntarily submitting to their authority ; E-ngaging in service for their comfort and profit. "Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which the Ijord thy God giveth thee — this is the first command with promise." This little picture indicates that the greatest crown of human honour is to be placed upon the childhood and youth. 135 The Christian's Bond The blackboard sketch will suggest one form of re- view. Draw a heart, and on the heart draw a cross bearing the name Jesus. Eepresent the thought of the Life, Loye and Light of Jesus being bound to the heart by the sevenfold cord of His glorious life and ministry. 1. The love of God, John 3 : 16. 2. The birth of Jesus ; 3. The matchless life of Jesus ; 4. His sacrificial death ; 5. The triumph of His resurrection ; 6. The guidance of His Spirit ; 7. The strength and power of Christianity. As these thoughts are developed, write the appropriate words on the strands of the cord as indicated in the sketch. "I've found a friend ; oh, such a friend ; He loved me e'er I knew Him : He drevv^ me with the cords of love, And thus He bound me to Him. And round my heart still closely twine Those ties which naught can sever, For I am His, and He is mine, Forever, and forever." 136 MISSIONARY LESSONS Lighted to Shine Cm r I $ t I a n 8 AHc Savcd To S t SI V c . Multitudes of people followed Jesus to see the miracles which He wrought, and to hear the gracious words which fell from His lips. He was moved with compassion for them and planned to augment His personal ministries by the services of His chosen disciples. Eealizing that the people of other villages and towns were anxious for His messages of life, as fields that were ^^ white to the har- vest," He sent His disciples to bear to the distant cities the gospel of the Son of God. In the analysis of the lesson we note first : the Men, the twelve disciples, chosen of God ; anointed for service. Second : the Message, the kingdom of God is at hand ; the kingdom of righteous living ; of Justice, of Charity, of Brotherhood. Third: the Ministry; heal the world's sickness ; raise dead manhood ; cast out selfishness and sin. Fourth : the Master ; the power behind their service ; they were to be instruments to a blessed minis- try, but He was to be the source of power. 139 140 PENCIL POINTS FOR PREACHER AND TEACHER We have been called of Grod to salvation, and are His chosen disciples. We have been commissioned to bear His message of hope and ministry of love to the world. Disciples of Jesus are lighted by His Spirit to shine in the world, dispelling its darkness and gloom, but they can only do it in '^His Name." Suggestions : — Draw a circle ; within the circle print the word D-i-s-c-i-p-l-e-s, representing each letter as a lighted candle shining in the world. Back of the circle draw a cross. Application : — We are lighted to shine ; we are saved to serve. Colour Hints : — Make circle white, with light blue out- line ; word Disciples scarlet j rays orange colour j cross scarlet with orange outline. Antioch and the Inauguration of Missions Pre ■ AC H t To t V P « V Mv ' Gospel CReAT.^^^t ^^^^^^ W^h "^'.a^Hk ^^ ^k 'ij ^ Th E Bm RTN- Place. Of Chris Ti AN Mission s . R r rp The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch. The spirit of the Lord came upon the members of that dear old church at Antioch, and they were so mightily blessed that they wanted the whole world to share in the blessedness of salvation. They realized that if men were saved it must be by the G-lorious, O-verflowing, S -acred, P -erfect, E-verlasting, L-oving tidings of the Son of God. There is no other way. But how should the world hear the gospel without a preacher? How should the preacher go unless he be sent! Who should send him but the true churches of 141 142 PENCIL POINTS FOR PREACHER AND TEACHER Jesus Christ ? Then came the prayer for divine guidance, and the setting apart of Barnabas and Saul to carry the gospel to the world. The birthplace of all true missionary endeavour is the heart dedicated to God and consecrated to His service. what Has Jesus Done for Me? Text : Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee. — Mark 5 : 19. Eeligion should first manifest itself in the home. When the demoniac, mentioned in our lesson was healed he was told to go to the loved ones of his home and tell them the wonderful things the Lord had done for him. Sometimes it is easier to preach Christ in the world than it is to live Christ at home. And yet I would not give much for a man who would not witness a Christian's life in his own home. That religion is not genuine that is only reserved for manifestation to the world at large, nor is it the real Christianity which is kept for self and the home circle and withheld from the needy suffering world. ^^Go tell thy friends what the Lord hath done for thee.'' Oh, the power of Christian testimony! The 143 144 PENCIL POINTS FOB PREACHER AND TEACHER blackboard sketch reveals the cross and the Bible; on the scroll is marked the Christian's commission. Has Jesus blessed you ? Do you believe He will bless others I Is it not a Christian's duty, as well as a blessed privilege, to tell others of Jesus ? '* Go tell the story of Jesus, To some poor sin-sick soul ; Think of the time you heard it, And how it made you whole. " Go tell the story of Jesus, To people great and small ; Remember that the Saviour Gave up His life for all." Helping to Light the World .J i"- _. ( ALL } 1 Jr-: nfr"T m mm A Dime ^ From Each |[i|| Christian. K, RF.r.p. i ^M—J 1 '» ^ Will Give The Gospel To AllTheV/orlo. qp'i ' Every true Christian believes in missionary effort. Jesus Christ was heaven's missionary to the world. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch, when they became missionary in spirit. Jesus died for all the world. He commissioned His dis- ciples to go into all the world and preach His gospel to every creature. If the world shall know of ''Jesus the mighty to save" Christians must tell them the story. Let us note a few facts : Jesus desires all men to be saved, (John 3 : 16) ; only those who know and love Jesus will be saved ; millions in the world do not know of Jesus the Saviour ; Christians everywhere are commissioned and commanded to give to the world the gospel of salvation ; in the Christian churches to-day there are both men and money enough to give the gospel to all the world ; how shall we go up to God and confess that we did not help to bring the world to His feet, by both our gifts and our service I 145 146 PENCIL POINTS FOB PREACHER AND TEACHER Suggestions : — Draw pictures of the Eastern and Western Hemisphere. Between them draw a cross, with its rays falling on the globes. Beneath the cross draw a box representing the Lord's treasury, and draw a hand placing the offering in the box. Growth of the Kingdom Text : Whereunto shall I liken the Kingdom of God t It is like leaveUy which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. — Luke 13 : 20, 21. i^.^sMNODOM Shall G^ ^'kiy^^/ illAll The WorldShall Know Him. Sometimes we lament the slowness of the world to hear and accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. In our anxiety for the world's evangelization we overlook the vastness of the field and the dense darkness of the world. When we consider the little handful of Christian dis- ciples and the great world lying in wickedness, the ig- norance, superstition, prejudice, and the innumerable difficulties to be surmounted, we marvel that the gospel has already taken such a hold upon the world. Like the leaven hid in the meal, spreading its power from atom to atom until the whole was leavened, so the kingdom of our Lord is spreading from life to life until all the world shall some day fall at Jesus' feet. 147 148 PENCIL POINTS FOR PREACHER AND TEACHER Suggestions : — To illustrate the spreading of the gospel throughout the world, draw an open Bible and an ear of corn suggesting the multiplication of the seed of gospel truth, until it shall cover the whole earth. "Our Bible Work" Our Bible work is to be twofold in its character : First to get the Bible message and Master into our hearts and lives ; Second, to send out the glad tidings into other lives. The following beautiful poem by Dr. Henry M. King has a message for to-day : AN OPEN BIBLE FOR THE WORLD An open Bible for the world ! May this our glorious motto be ! On every breeze its flag unfurled Shall scatter blessings rich and free. Chorus. Blest Word of God, send forth thy light O'er every land and every sea, Till all who wander in the night Are led to God and heav'n by thee. Where'er it goes its golden light, Streaming as from an unveiled sun, Shall dissipate the clouds of night, Undo the work that sin has done. 149 150 PENCIL POINTS FOR PREACHER AND TEACHER It tells of Jesus and His death, Of life procured for dying men ; And to each soul of humble faith, It sonship gives with God again. GLEAiaNGs From the Field ^^infflmmf^^KjI^^nKa ^---^ ^ — ^-^ 1 Gleanings PROM Thl Field R.F.V.P Every day a Pentecost. Such is the assurance we have from the reports which come to us from the mission fields. In our local work we often become discouraged because of the small results of our efforts in Christian work. The great evils of the day, the apparent increase of crime, and slow progress of the churches against the awful tides of sin, make us feel that the cause of Christ is not advanc- ing. But we need to enlarge our vision, to study how great a factor the church is for good in the world, to fol- low our missionaries at home and abroad in their blessed ministries and to note the marvellous progress of their soul-winning work. Our missionary thought must not be limited to work beyond the seas, for God is wondrously blessing the work of the homeland. Gather reports from the workers in GLEANINGS FROM THE FIELD 151 the foreign fields as well as from the west and south, and from the many local mission enterprises of the church. Suggestions : — Draw the representation of a large sheaf of wheat, and speak of the faithful service of the many- labourers for Christ at home and abroad. Then draw an outline of a globe to represent the " field" of Christian missionary service. Make the personal application. What am I doing in God's harvest field? If I cannot labour, am I encourag- ing or helping others to labour I ^' The harvest is plen- teous, but the labourers are few." *'Here am I, send me," let this be thy prayer. Helping to Light the World No one can over-estimate the service which Christian women have rendered to the world. Their gifts to missionary life and their Christian en- deavours to spread the light of Christ in heart and home and world may not be heralded so broadly as the labours of others, but their zeal, their devotion, their sympathies, their love, their sacrifices, their consecration have been the constant inspiration to missionary service throughout the world. This little sketch may suggest the service which woman is rendering to the world ; by her consecrated gifts and graces she is helping to furnish the means necessary to keep the lamp of Christianity shining for all the world which Jesus died to save. Suggestions : — First draw a globe and refer to the dark- ness in the world because of sin (mental, moral, spirit- ual). Draw an open Bible and lamp, and speak of God's Word of truth as being a light to the world. Draw hand and cruise of oil, and speak of woman's part in lighting the world. 152 CHRISTMAS, EASTER, AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS At Easter the Christian world stands reverently at the- empty tomb of Jesus of i^azareth ; but with faith's larger vision we behold Him rise above the grave, above Jeru- salem, above the clouds, above the stars, to the throne where ^'He ever liveth to make intercession for us.'^ 155 156 PENCIL POINTS FOB PREACHER AND TEACHER From the open tomb of Jesus Christ there rises the relig- ion of the cross, ^'having a song for every voice, a peace for every heart, a hope for every life.'^ Nature and grace impress the lessons of the resurrec- tion. The daybreak, the spring-time, the bursting bud, the opening egg^ the redeemed life, are peans of victory for life from the tomb. How we shall live again we may not know, but we do know God's many promises. ^' As I live, ye shall live also.'' We do not question the ex- istence of the butterfly because we cannot understand the transformation from worm-life to wing-life, nor should we doubt our glorified existence beyond the grave because we cannot understand how God can transform us into His image. ^'It is not so strange that we shall live again as that we now live." The plan of redemption embraces: 1. The Incarnation of the Son of God. 2. His Gospel of pardon and peace. 3. His atonement for sin. 4. His resurrection from the dead, as the divine seal to the mis- sion and ministry, the purpose and power of Jesus Christ. 5. His ascension to the throne of God as our Intercessor and Mediator. The resurrection of Jesus is as important to the purpose of God as His incarnation and His death on the cross. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is A Historical fact ; Spiritual truth ; Foundation of Christian hope. Our Bible study has presented to us many beacon lights of Old Testament history. Again we are called upon in the review lesson to lift the curtain of the past weeks of study. With renewed interest, clearer knowl- edge, keener insight, and with fervent prayer for deeper spiritual appreciation of the wonderful things of God, wi^ CHRISTMAS, EASTER, AND SPECIAL OCCASION'S 157 can look back upon a thorough systematic study of the Word of God. For the review it might be well to draw an outline of the Bible and speak of the revelation of God to man through History, Prophecy, and Gospel. Then draw the representation of a lighted torch or beacon, and instead of the rays of light, place the topics of the twelve lessons of the quarter, making the applica- tion to each in order. The little blackboard sketch teaches its own lesson. 158 PENCIL POINTS FOB PREACHER AND TEACHER In Christian lands Christmas time is the gladdest part of all the year. Chiming bells, merriment, joy, home gatherings, gifts of love, church festivities, and social delights, all have their inspiration in that glad hour of the long ago when the mystic starlight bathed Judea's hills and the wondering shepherds heard the angels carol the first Christmas anthem, ^' Glory to God in the high- est ; Peace on earth, good will to men." Christmas brings gladness, for Christ brought joy. Every day is Christmas day with God. He ever waits to give when hearts are ready to receive His most precious gifts. May our lips be ever filled with Christ's praises ; our hearts be filled with His love ; our hands be filled with His service, our homes be filled with His peace. So shall every day be Christmas day with us. May Christmas light and Christmas songs turn our CHRISTMAS, EASTER, AND SPECIAL OCCASIONS 159 hearts and lives unto God the bountiful Giver and to Jesus the wonderful Gift. Suggestions : — Draw the outline of a globe to indicate the world-wide message. Across the globe draw four bells marked '^Xmas." Beneath the bells make a staff of music bearing the words ''Joy to the World. '^ Above the bells draw a beautiful crown bearing the name of Jesus our King. " Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born King ; Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled. ' ' A Review Suggestion The Quarterly Lesson Review EACH Lesson A Window-Pane Revealing A Saviour's Love Novel methods to illustrate the review lesson may not be amiss. Suppose that we have a window sash containing twelve panes of glass. Let each window pane be covered neatly with a white sheet of paper on which is written 160 A REVIEW SUGGESTION 161 the topic of the lesson and the golden text. Have some class or scholar give one or more thoughts in that lesson about Jesus. As the golden text is recited by the school, the paper, covering the window pane, may be removed, leaving a clear glass through which we may look. Let each lesson be treated in a similar way, removing the papers from the window pane as each lesson is developed. It would add to the object lesson if the word J-E-s-u-s in large letters could be placed back of the window, so that it could be distinctly seen by the school, when all the lesson coverings have been removed from the glass. If the object lesson cannot be successfully used as indi- cated, the blackboard drawing will aid in teaching the same truths. 1 ^^^^Wiiln' IM* hi^^^^B <4 DIVIDED p SINFUL indulgence: ELI SAM ON CARMEL ^GoosLoyeForJ^^I^'- i A ^ w ^ DEATH W God's Cm Fob I ^;'*"'J ^ELISAHS .^^4lfFUGrir .j£' "*=*: fZ"7Siom^Ui^i 5x^ DOT HAN naaK MEAl IAN .ED SHUNAMITE'Sj SON. .L15AM*5 MANTLE NABOTHS VINEYARD TEMPERANCE LESSONS The Price the Drunkard Pays Text : No drunkard shall inherit the kingdom of God, 1 Cor. 6 : 10. No one can estimate the great price which the drunkard must pay for the gratification of his thirst for strong drink. The first step in sin is to look upon any kind of wrong doing, or harbour wrong thoughts, with any de- gree of pleasure. The first step towards a drunkard^ s grave is to look with desire upon " the wine when it giv- eth its colour in the cup. ' ' Here God has placed a warn- ing signal, ^^ Look not." To disregard this warning is to merit the *^ woe " which God has pronounced upon those who will not heed His word. So dreadful is the curse of drunkenness in the sight of God that He pronounces a '' woe " upon the drinker, and a '^ woe " upon the one that putteth the cup, by solicita- tion, or by sale, to another's lips. The price the drunk- ard pays is one of the highest paid for anything in this 165 1G6 PENCIL POINTS FOB PREACHER AND TEACHER world. First, lie gives his Health. No drinking man has a sound body. Next he gives the true Happiness of himself and loved ones. No drunkard can be happy, and his condition brings wretchedness, misery and sorrow to all who love him. Next he gives his Honour and self- respect. Who honours, respects, or wishes to associate with a drunkard ? Who wishes to exalt him to any posi- tion of respect or responsibility? Next he gives his Home, with all its comforts, peace, joys, hallowed associ- ations and endearing ties ; and finally gives up hope of Heaven, for no drunkard can enter there. How sad and dark is the drunkard's condition. How earnestly we should labour to rescue those whom the demon of drink has ensnared. How, by voice and vote, we should seek to save our boys and girls from the power of the intoxicating cup. \ A Temperance Boy Text : But Daniel purposed in his own heart that he would not defile himself with a portion of the hinges meaty nor with the wine which he drank. — Daniel 1 : 8. See also verse 12. Dare T Say "No" f " .-[I ''^.^^^^ fh Yield Not To Temptation. n fvp Daee to say "Yes" to every good impulse of your life. Dare to say "Is^o" to every prompting of evil. When I was a lad my dear father used often to say to me, *'My son, learn to say 'No.' " I thought it strange that 1 need ever to '' learn " to say such a little word. But as the years rolled by I understood more fully the meaning of father's kind counsels. When temptations come it is hard to saj^ ' ' No. ' ' It summons all our courage, all our energies, all our powers, backed by the grace of God, to say '' No '^ and mean it as Daniel did. It was not easy for Daniel to refuse to eat from the King's table and stand alone in opposition to the will of the monarch who was planning to exalt him. 167 168 PENCIL POINTS FOB PREACHER AND TEACHER But right was might, and one with God is greater than the power of kings. Many a noble life would have been spared to the world if heed had been given to the words of that earnest hymn of P. P. Bliss, in Gospel Hymns, ^'Dare to be a Daniel.'^ Many mighty men are lost Daring not to stand, Who for God had been a host By joining Daniel's band. Dare to be a Daniel ! Dare to stand alone, Dare to have a purpose firm ! Dare to make it known ! Colour Hints :— Make the heart white with light blue outline ; letters scarlet ; hand light pink ; wine scarlet ; table white, etc. Here is given a simple little blackboard sketch which may help to impress the thought of watchfulness. A TEMPERANCE BOY 169 Be Temperate in All Things Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin, Each victory will help you some other to win ; Fight manfully onward, dark passions subdue, Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through. Suggestions : — This little sketch represents a familiar form of snare or trap, which has been used to catch the unwary birds and other animals. Who can number the multitudes who have been ensnared by the wine-cup I Touch Not the Wine Cup D-estroys ambition, R-uins character, I -gnites passion, N-umbs conscience, K-ills hope. —A. E. Jackson. Temperance Lesson ''Thf Eum Mill" is a slang phrase often applied to the liquor traffic. This mill consists of 500,000 places where intoxicating liquors are sold. The late Eev. A. C. Williams said that ''in the gin mill the upper stone was Habit and the nether stone was Appetite, while the ground meal were the broken hearts and crushed hopes and debased lives of 2,000,000 of people every year." It is true that the rum mill destroys self-respect and paralyzes self-control, grinding out of men their money, peace, virtue, love of home, and hope of heaven. Why not stop the mill ? The proprietor (Satan) finds it very profitable to him and he laughs at our fears. The entire machinery (manufacturer, rum seller, and rum drinker) are deaf to all entreaties from moral suasion. It is hard to stop the mill when its motive power is fur- nished by the Law. Cut the sluiceway which furnishes 170 TEMPERANCE LESSON 171 the power, and the mill will stop. The fountain of law has its streams running through all departments of na- tional Life. Shut off the power from running the rum mill, and the reserve force must be felt with increased power in all other avenues of public and private life. Stop the mill !! Be a King Text : He that ruleth his own spirit is greater than he that taketh a city.— Frov. 16 : 32. Side by side with the sweet story of salvation from sin must be taught the freedom from the curse of strong drink and every other form of intemperance. All the best, truest, noblest, wisest people of the world charge intemperance with being the most fruitful source of crime. Intemperance has destroyed nations as well as Individuals, and it is the greatest foe of our country to- day. In developing this lesson, draw first the wine glass ; and in speaking of the way in which it ensnares its vic- tims, draw the spider's web. And then to make the practical application draw the broken crown to indicate the shattered lives and broken hopes of those who fall under the dreadful curse of strong drink. In contrast with this picture of darkness and despair 172 BE A KING 173 print the word '' myself," and as you speak of man being a king, and of the Scripture truth that '^He that ruleth his spirit is better than he who taketh a city ' ' (Prov. 16 : 32), draw the crown around the word M-Y-s-E-L-F and write on the crown the word Temperance. Again make the application and have all make this pledge: ''I Will Eule Myself, I will be a king j I will be altogether and always for Temperance." The Open Switch Beware of the first glass of intoxicating liquors. Back of that first glass lies a drunkard' s grave. If you will not take the first ^lass there will be no danger of your ever dying a drunkard. Many young men say, ^^ It's only one glass ; only one drink for the fun of the thing; only a taste." Beware of placing the intoxicating cup to your lips ! You may say, ^^ I'm not afraid of a little glass of wine," but you do not realize the awful forces of evil which may be beyond that first glass, ready to curse your life. The soldier might say, ^^ I'm not afraid of the pickets 174 PENCIL POINTS FOR PREACHER AND TEACHER stationed here and there to guard the outposts of the armj^ ; but he knows that back of the picket line is the regiment, yea the whole opposing army. A foreigner might say, ' ' I am not afraid of the flag of the stars and stripes, it's only a piece of bunting," but he must re- member that behind that flag lies the great nation of the United States. Again I say, beware of the first glass ; don't open that switch, for beyond that first drink is the drunkard' s doom. Intemperance is the most fruitful source of crime. Eminent ministers, distinguished jur- ists, prominent physicians, and successful business men unite in saying that ''Its root is selfishness ; its spirit is discontent ; its growth is conspiracy ; its fruit is crime ; its result is misery ; its penalty is death." This little picture sets before us two ways of life. By the light of truth we take the better way, which leads to peace ; by the wine-glass we are led to inevitable ruin. Be wise to-day. ' ' The simple pass on and are punished. ' ' Our Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence contained a ^ ' pledge, ' ' and the temperance pledge is likewise a declaration of independence against a foolish and harmful custom. Whereas, One who totally abstains from the use of all alcoholic liquors cannot possibly become a drunkard, while one who uses them may become a drunkard ; and. Whereas, One who uses alcoholic beverages may pos- sibly lead others to become drunkards by his example, while one who does not use them cannot possibly ruin others in this way ; and. Whereas, Alcoholic beverages, even when they do not lead to intoxication, are injurious to health ; and. Whereas, Alcoholic beverages cannot possibly be considered necessities of life, and in many cases are de- structive of life. Therefore, TJ/'ITH a firm reliarice upon God, I hereby make my Declaration of Independence against King ALCOHOL, whose in- toxicating drinks I pledge my sacred honour never to use. Rev. W. F. Crafts, D. D. 175 Temperance Illustrations Eev. D. E. Lewis. A BRIGHT man once said that he could draw with ^ three strokes of the pen, an old soldier and a dog \ going into a saloon. He did it by showing the end of the soldier's bayonet and the end of the dog's tail. The saloon did not hurt the dog any. I wonder if it hurt the old soldier ? When he got inside, he ^ saw a row of bottles like these, and he tasted them ^^ all. AA AAA CtN BEER RUM Wine ALE >;wiNF: When he drank the gin, I know that he committed a sin (change G on first bottle to S). He spent his money and it made him poor (change beer to poor). Eum turned him out a bum (change R to B). Wine changed him to swine (prefix S), and ale sent him to jail (prefix J). Ex- plain that he is so muddled up now that he does not know how to spell (J ale). That row of bottles that attracted him so much have all changed now and they are not so nice. Tell briefly story of prodigal boy in the swine field. 176 MISCELLANEOUS LESSONS what Is My Influence? Text : For none of us liveth to himself. — Eomans 14 : 7. INf LUEN^3 %=i^