XII.
PICTORIAL TEACHING.
PICTORIAL teaching is only a slightly different form of Bible illustration, and, therefore, will appropriately follow the previous subject.
It presents, first, pictures and maps to the pupils for examination, in order that they may get a clearer view of truth. It consists, secondly, more particularly in picturing out in words, or in vivid, graphic description, so that the truth will appear real to the imagination of the child. It awakens interest and deepens impression, and all good teachers avail themselves, more or less, of its power.
"But," says a quiet teacher, "all this must be graphically done." I reply: "Of course it must;" and the answer returns: "Well, I can't use it, then, for I am not graphic." I will give all such teachers a recipe that will render them always graphic with children. If they would dwell clearly and plainly on all the little details in their descriptions to children, they will always be graphic. The imaginations of scholars of ten or twelve years of age are so vivid that much of the teacher's power over them, to interest and impress truth, will depend largely upon this power of "word-picturing." Words containing objects largely should be most used, instead of a mass of sentiments and principles. Let the objective words preponderate.
The following statement embraces about a dozen words in principles:
"It was David's duty to know the will of God, and as he had great faith in the divine power, he went forth without reluctance to meet the foe, and the result was the death of Goliath."
Let us now transpose the sentence into objects mainly, and it will not be difficult to see which will make the clearest and best impression upon children's minds:
"Young David stood in the valley and slung a stone into the forehead of the giant, Goliath, and he fell dead upon the ground."
Abbott gives many illustrations. He says: