Site of Capernaum, Sea of Galilee.
THE USE OF PICTURES IN TEACHING.
PICTURES may hold a primary or secondary place in teaching, according to their nature and the aim of the teacher.
The text itself may be the supreme thing, and pictures become mere pictorial comments upon the text. Pictures when so used have the nature of views or illustrations. The picture at the head of this page is a view. It is reproduced from a photograph taken directly from nature. Such pictures are of great value in building up in the mind clear images of objects or of scenes beyond the pupil's reach. A map means almost nothing to a person unfamiliar with the country, unless by means of numberless views the appearance of the country has been made known to the mind. Every teacher in Sunday-school should have a collection of photographic views of the historical sites of the Bible, of implements, household utensils, articles of dress, etc., which may be used to make clear the Biblical references to such things. Without such illustrations words may convey little or no meaning.
The first picture upon the next page may be called an illustration. To a person unfamiliar with the text it might convey any meaning but the true one; but to one familiar with the story of Christ and the rich young ruler it is wonderfully graphic and satisfactory. The words of the text take on a deeper meaning as they are studied in the light of this picture. Because Hofmann is an artist, a man gifted with imagination, he sees more clearly, more vividly than the average person. Seen through his eyes what was before vague and unconvincing becomes definite and powerful. Before seeing the picture the pupil had heard the words:"Jesus, looking upon him, loved him." Now with the picture he sees that Jesus loves him and is anxious to have him decide for life everlasting. Before "the poor" were abstract; now they become a concrete reality. Before the pupil had been told that the young man had "great possessions;" now he sees that he had also health and beauty and intelligence, greater possessions than land and gold. The Sunday-school teacher is fortunate who has at his command pictures which illustrate, which make luminous the text. Plates [11], [20], [34], [39], [47], [62], [70], [101], [106], [133], and [143] may be mentioned as notable examples of good illustrations to supplement the text.
Plate 112. Christ and the Young Ruler. H. Hofmann. 1824-
The picture itself may be the object of study, and the text become a commentary upon the picture. For example, consider this picture by Holman Hunt. Every detail has something important to say to the pupil. The postures of these people and the costumes say "oriental." The profuse ornamentation both of the architecture and the various furnishings speak of extraordinary conditions. This is the temple which was the wonder of the age (see Mark 13:1), and these are the people who loved to go about in long clothing, and who "devoured widows' houses" to be rich. (Matt. 23:14.) This boy with his pure face and far-away-gazing eyes is he who had thoughts about "his Father's house." The look in the woman's face is appreciated in the light of what she is recorded as having said, "I have sought thee sorrowing." (Luke 2:48.) That she rather than her husband should speak to him is no surprise to one familiar with Matt. 1:18-25. The faces of these serious-looking men must be read in the light of the words, "And all that heard him were amazed at his understanding and answers." One man has an ornamental box in his hand. What is that for? Another has a similar box upon his forehead. Why? Deut. 6:6-8 and Matt. 23:5 will help answer those questions. A man is begging at the entrance. It is not extraordinary in the light of Acts 3:1, 2, and Mark 14:7. He begs in vain outside, while within a servant brings wine to refresh those who will not so much as lift a finger to help the burdened. (Matt. 23:4.) Beyond the beggar craftsmen are still at work upon the temple. Yes, because when this child Jesus first visited the temple it was not completed. "Forty and six years was this temple in building." (John 2:20.) Birds are flying in and out! "Yea, the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, . . . even thine altars, O Lord of Hosts." (Ps. 84:3.) The little boy with the fly-driver tells the season of the year, the light and the few worshippers and the idle musicians tell the time of day. Everything has a message, even the ornament upon wall and floor! That tells whence the Jews derived their art. This picture is more than a commonplace illustration of a single text: it is a graphic presentation of an era. The particular event is shown in its historical setting. The picture is a supreme work of art.
