Southern Christian Advocate

Be Personal,

When I first took a Sunday-school class I feared to be personal with my pupils, to talk pointedly to each scholar before the rest. My teachers had never talked to me thus, and I was afraid of offending by too close questions and too practical application of the truth. I soon found such sowing brought forth little fruit. The scholars gained general knowledge, but they did not feel "that is meant for me." They did not turn to Christ.

One day, after prayerful consideration of the subject, I said, "Boys, it is no use for us to be afraid of each other; I came here to try to show you the way to heaven; you come to learn it, do you not? Then we must get so that we can talk as naturally about Christ and our own hearts, as about our studies or our plays. So do not be afraid of my close questions. You will have to get used to them; but they won't hurt you: you may question me, too."

At first some answered promptly when asked some questions: others blushed and turned their heads away. But ere long the restraint wore off, and nearly all could talk easily. The means, I trust, though humble, were blest. Soon my heart was cheered by a gracious awakening among my dear pupils. Before a year had passed, nearly all were rejoicing in the Saviour's love. Now no questions could be too close. A new scholar came into the class, who was not used to such teaching, and did not like it. After a few Sabbaths, he said to a classmate, "I do not like so many questions about myself; I do not like to answer them. What shall I do?"

"Oh, you'll have to learn to like them; that's the only way you can get rid of them. That's the way the rest of us did. Now the closer the questions the better. They make us think so much more. I don't know as I should ever have turned to Christ, if it had not been for just such questions."

Fellow teachers, let us be personal. Make each pupil feel at each lesson, "That is for me. Christ died for me. He calls me. He is knocking at the door of my heart." Union Magazine.