The Bible declares we are born again of "incorruptible" seed, "by the word of God" (1 Peter 1:23). It is our task to go forth and sow this seed. "Behold, a sower went forth to sow" should be said of us every day we leave our homes. We should sow beside all waters. We should sow at all times. "In the morning sow thy seed, and at evening withhold not thy hand," for "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Ps. 126:6).
After you have taught this lesson, cause your audience to repeat with you what the Bible is like.
6
JUDGING BY APPEARANCES
OBJECTS: A Collection of Paper Drinking-cups
This is a lesson on the folly of judging by appearances or coming to a conclusion from knowing just one side of the truth, which in the language of the people is called "jumping at conclusions."
Secure ten or twelve paper drinking-cups; cut them all except one into two parts, put the top parts into each other, so that they will look like a pile of cups, but the only real cup is the bottom cup. Say: "Here we seem to have a stack of drinking-cups from which to drink when we are thirsty. Here we seem to have enough cups for a party of ten or twelve [according to the number you have] but in reality there is only one cup that is a real cup that will hold water."
Take the half cups out of the pile, and show the children they are mistaken. You only appeared to have a collection of cups. Then teach the danger of judging by appearances; always be sure you are right before you speak and judge. Look into the cup as well as at it before you declare that here there are ten (or more) cups. It is a dangerous thing oftentimes to judge by knowing a half-truth only.
People who jump at conclusions are in the way of making frequent mistakes and often do great mischief. A woman standing in line before the window of a New England savings-bank, waiting her turn to deposit five dollars, saw a man step up and draw out nine hundred dollars. She was not used to the sight of so much money, and, supposing that this meant a heavy drain on the resources of the bank, held on to her five dollars, and not only that, but went and told her friends about it, saying that the bank must be in danger. The news spread, and soon there was a "run" on the bank. Before the panic was over, and scared depositors satisfied that the bank was sound, between ten thousand and twenty thousand dollars had been withdrawn. Better be sure of facts and not judge by appearances. This "supposing" things makes trouble.
Some time ago a young man in looking around among the people at a public gathering, noticed a tall, heavyset, well-built man, and made up his mind that he was the new minister. He went up to a friend and said: "Very strong, good-looking man, isn't he? I am well pleased and satisfied he will make a very good minister." That man replied to his friend, "Why he is no minister, he is the manager of the new theater." It takes more than a fine-looking man to be a minister. He may only look like one, and be only half a cup.