Once upon a time there was a teacher who was instructing her class of boys on the lesson of Jonah. She was a graduate of a string of teacher-training classes. She had gone the limit in preparing her lesson. She was full of the subject. She talked over the heads of the boys. They did not understand even a little bit of the lesson. After she had finished, she turned to her class and said "Now boys, what does the story of Jonah teach you?" and one little fellow piped out, "Please, teacher, the story of Jonah teaches me that you can't keep a good man down." The teacher turned to young George and administered to him a stinging rebuke, "How dare you," said she, "on the Sabbath Day, in God's house and before the open Bible, make light of religious matters? I am ashamed of you. If you were my son I would feed you on bread and water for a week." Little George kept his eye on the door, wondering if he could, with safety, make his escape. He never came again. Now the teacher knew Jonah, but she didn't know George. If she had said to George, "Now, George, that wasn't exactly the reply that I wanted, but I am glad that you have got a thought about the lesson. Come to my house next Tuesday night and take supper with me and I will show you pictures of Jonah and tell you stories about this wonderful man and then I think you will get it right in your head." If she had tried this method she would have got the real Jonah into George and she would have gotten George into her heart. If she had known as much about George as she did about Jonah, she would have known that that reply was a bit of pleasantry, coming spontaneously from a young heart. She did not understand her object.
CHAPTER IV
INCENSE LESSONS
Objects: Common Incense Cones
INCENSE LESSONS
CHILDREN like to watch incense burn. In their imagination they see dancing around in the little columns of smoke strange and wonderful little shapes. Let us try to cause these smoke columns to tell God's great message.
Incense is frequently mentioned in the Bible. It ascended from the golden altar of the Tabernacle and was burning night and day. It was never out. It stood for prayer, and we will now try and find out what it says to us about talking to God.
Call to the platform a number of boys and girls each holding a little plate: a tin plate will answer. Put on each plate about four incense cones, which can be easily secured in the shops. One cone is not sufficient to give enough smoke to be seen distinctly by the entire audience. Say to the children as you light the cones, that incense reminds us of prayer, because the smoke ascends just as our prayers go up; and also tell them how to pray and how thoughtful they should be as they pray, for God hears every word they say. For prayers go up like incense. In the old Temple the incense was always burning, so they should pray always as the good Book says "Pray without ceasing." Now scatter them in various parts of the room. That will represent secret prayer. Call them all to the platform and place them as close to each other as possible; that will represent united prayer. While they are standing in that position a large volume of smoke will be ascending which will appeal to their little eyes and make a lasting impression upon them. This you can call the prayer meeting of one accord.
As you call the children to the platform you can name them after the various denominations, and thus illustrate how all the churches can come together for prayer and how beautiful it looks to see them in united prayer for the world.
The odor of the burning incense will be very evident by this time and you may let this remind them that it is like the influence which always emanates from the prayers that go up to God from believing hearts.