JESUS METHOD OF TEACHING
By Rev. Chas. H. Shiite, D. D.
The greatest teacher of all
time is Jesus Christ. The suc
cess or failure of a teacher and
teaching; the measure of a
teacher’s real greatness may be
determined in a large measure
by his or her teaching meth
od.
Method, in its narrow sense,
is concerned primarily with the
way in which instruction is im
parted. But the broader view of
method, as stated by Kilpatrick,
has to do with cause, effect and
purpose. Not only is manner in
volved, but the teacher and the
taught. Therefore, the teaching
method of Jesus is considered
here in the broader sense of the
term. No mere abstract treat
ment of the subject would be
just. What Jesus was and what
He knew played a large part in
making effective His method.
He Differed With Scribes and
Pharisees.
While Jesus had the utmost
regard for the Old Testament,
yet He seemed willing to exercise
a very little patience with nar
row, shallow, lifeless interpreta
tions of the law as given by the
Scribes and Pharisees. Between
His method of teaching and
theirs was the most striking con
trast. This is emphasized in the
statement: ‘For he taught as
one having authority and not as
the Scribes.”
Jesus, above all others, pos
sessed many aids to the meth
ods which He employed in His
work as teacher. Perfect
knowledge of self was, perhaps,
the first aid. This knowledge He
had to a degree approached by
none other in the flesh. ‘‘Know
thyself” did not need to, be said
to Him. Metes and bounds set
by His human nature He knew
perfectly. He knew how much
to attempt in the flesh with oth
er human kind. Jesus’ splendid
ancestral background cast its
light upon His pathway.
Again, for method to be ef
fective, it is necessary for the
teacher to know those whom he
would teach. Of Jesus it is said,
‘‘But Jesus did not commit him
self untip them; for he knew
all men. And needed not that
any should testify of man: for he
knew what was in man.” Jesus
knew well their peculiar prob
lems, moral, spiritual and reli
gious. Aspirations, hopes, joys
or sorrows were well known to
Him whether unuttered or ex
pressed. Attitudes, motives and
temperament were the indices
by which the Master read human
hearts.
This knowledge as an aid, iur
nished ready answers to anxious
inquirers after truth as well as
to fault-finders and carping crit
ics. The answers of the Naza
rene, whether to friend or foe,
gave to the one complete satis
faction, but to the other confu
sion of face. To the following
there was not a reply, “The bap
tism of John, was it from heav
en or of men?” “Render to Cae
sar the things that are Caesar’s
and to God the things that are
God’s.”
i Knowledge and pleasing per
sonality made approach easy for
both teacher and taught.
Teacher With Sympathy
The Great Teacher’s spirit of
sympathy gave wonderful aid to
His matchless method of teach
ing. This sympathy furnished
the means and opened the way
for contact. It furnished the
strength to break down and to
v throw aside the barriers of race
prejudice and caste and class
distinctions.
With Jesus, the social outcast
stood on equal footing with the
ruler and rabbi. With Him, pov
erty and wealth were on equal
footing in the kingdom of grace.
The woman at Jacob’s well had
no less cordial welcome than Nic
ndemus, a ruler of the Jews.
Each in Jesus’ sight desired and
deserved. His approach to and
dealings with these two charac
: • ' ' -, -S ■
Iters surpass human ingenuity
and skill. The one was extreme
ly sensitive and haunted by
questions extremely delicate. The
other was overcautious as he
sought tinder cover of night the
knowledge of a way hitherto un
known.
Jesus' method of presenting
instruction challenges the admi
ration and wonder of the most
casual observer. No situation
arose in which the Master could
not readily adapt Himself to the
occasion or circumstance. He
really had a way of pressing
circumstances into service.
Informal as to place or time,
the one absorbing passion of the
life of Jesus Christ was to
teach. He taught by night and
by day. His learners at times
consisted of a single individual.
At other times He was sought
by 4,000, 5,000 and then by
countless multitudes. Now He
teaches in the temple, then in
the synagogue. Again, He re
sorts to the seaside. And then
again, He: and His disciples seek
the lonely solitude of the lofty
mountain or lowly vale. When
pressed too closely by eager
throngs, He moved out into the
deep and taught from a boat.
Staple in Speech.
By the world’s greatest teach
er, profoimdest truths were
made plain by simple language
and striking illustrations.
To the farmer, fisherman,
shepherd or vineyard keep
er, His messages were ever
interesting’and helpful; for He
visualized His thoughts into im
agery gathered from the occupa
tion of each. None could fail to
grasp His meaning.
Nothing Prosey in His Teaching
Jesus’ teachings were far from
being prosey. In His own inim
itable way, He gave expression
to His thoughts in the form of
allegory, apostrophe, metaphor,
parable, paradox, proverb, etc.
In emphasizing the use which He
made of the parable, Mark af
firms that “Without a parable
spake he not.”
Jesus’ teachings while con
cerned about the serious things
of life, yet abounded here and
there with sparkling, Socratic
wit which must have provoked
Pindaric laughter and merri
ment. Example is found in the
following: “Straining at a gnat
and swallowing a camel,” and the
idea of giving holy things to
dogs and handing jewelry to
hogs. The above reveal the
spirit of a Master at once pos
sessed with the profoundest wis
dom and with gems of sparkling
wit and humor.
A Modernist
Jesus, in teaching method, is
the modernist of all time.
“The principles which Jesus
used in teaching are the Shib
boleth of modern pedagogy. He
established the point of contact
by arousing interest.”—Kent.
As a variable approaches but
never reaches its limit, so the
world of education will be ever
approaching but will never
reach, to say nothing, yea, noth
ing of surpassing the high ideals
and lofty but simple teaching
method of Him “Who spake as
never man spake.”
The finishing touch of His
teaching method was given when
imparted “The manner of wor
ship by prayer.”
EAST TENNESSEE SYNOD.
The Synod of East Tennessee
will convene with the Shiloh
Presbyterian church at Knox
ville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Oc
tober 17, 1928, at 7:30 P. M.
All persons planning to attend
this meeting will please notify
Mr. S. J. Wentz, 903 E. Clinch
Avenue, Knoxville, Tenn.
S. A. DOWNER,
Stated Clerk.
Saturday Morning.
J):45. Song service was con
ducted bjr Mrs. J. M. Pride, .with
Miss Elizabeth Davis, pianist.
Bible study—Dr. L. B. West.
A very eager and devotional spir
it was manifested in this (mo
tional period. The Scripture
lesson was Acts 1:13-26. These
Acts were performed by Jesus
through His holy works as He
performed them in the lives of
the apostles, and as Christian
workers we are to expect power
from God. The work belongs to
God and He will give us power
to do His work.
Order No. 6. The following of
ficers of the Sunday School Con
vention were elected:
President, Prof. W. H. Stin
son.
1st. Vice-President, Rev. W.
R. Mayberry.
2nd Vice-President, Mr. M. N.
Potts.
Secretary, Dr. L. J. Melton*
(permanent).
Assistant Secretary, Mrs.
Hallie Q. Mayberry.
Treasurer, Dr. G. S. Leeper.
Statistician, Rev. H. Wilson.
The officers of the Christian
Endeavor Convention are as fol
lows:
President, Mrs. J. M. Pride.
Vice-President, Mr. J. W.
Spears
Secretary, Miss Vivian Shute.
Assistant Secretary, Mrs. M.
J. Alexander.
Treasurer, Mrs. Josephine
Leeper.
Junior Superintendent, Miss
A«nirChi*efsrfield. 4
Statistician, Rev. H. Wilson.
The installation address was
made by Rev. J. H. Ward.
The reports from the Sunday
schools and Christian Endeavor
societies showed progress and
growth in spiritual activities and
membership and finance. Out of
forty-seven schools forty-five re
ports were made.
Saturday Afternoon
2:30. Song and praise service
was conducted by Mr. N. M.
Potts.
The Statistical reports of the
Sunday School Convention and
Christian Endeavor Society were
read by Rev. H. Wilson. These
reports were approved with com
mendation and thanks.
Order No. 7. The Miranda
church, eight miles West of
Charlotte, was decided upon for
the next place of meeting.
Order No. 9. Miss Johnsie
Jenkins, of the Brandon church,
and Mr. M. L. Shute, of the Bid
dleville church, were elected del
egates to attend the School of
Methods at Oxford.
The Convention was invited
over on the beautiful campus of
Scotia where every one enjoyed
a delightful afternoon. Numer
ous games were played, directed
by Rev. A. H. Prince, after which
refreshments were served by the
ladies of the church.
Sunday Morning.
9:45. A Model Sunday School
was conducted by Mr. I. M. Mar
tin, the Sabbath School Mission
ary. A large number were in
attendance.
11:00. The annual sermon
was preached by Dr. Yorke
Jones from Matt. 5:3, “Blessed
are the poor in spirit, for theirs
is the kingdom of heav.en.” He
built a most beautiful sermon
on this text. It was not only
strong in thought but very ef
fective in the presentation of it.
“The purpose of the Sund
school is that God’s people may
study God’s Word. Humbleness
of heart and gladness of heart
is the spirit for Sunday school
workers to acquire,” said J?r.
Jones. “Misfortunes and bor
rows often come upon us to makr
us humble in the sight of the
Lord.” He entreated us to trust
the Lord each one for himseli
and Surrender our lives to Him,
This is being poor in heart.
Benediction, Dr. G. S. Leeper
S Sunday Afternoon \
SO. A grand song service
conducted by the Convention
and Seventh Street church
sstra with Mr. Willie Stin
and Miss Frances Adams,
sts. Mrs. J. M. Pride pro
e minutes of the Conven
were read by the Assistant
(tary and were received by
Convention with commenda
tion and praise.
M group of spirituals were
suipr by the City Glee Club un
der the direction of Miss Merce
des* Hailey.
Mr. M. L. Shute read a very
interesting paper from the sub
ject, “The Attitude of the Mod
ern? Youth Toward the Church.”
Dr. Yorke Jones gave a short
address from the subject, “Some
Seed I Sowed.”
Pjbof. J. D. Gordon, President
of the City Sunday School Un
ion, made encouraging remarks.
Benediction, Rev. Anderson of
Price Memorial church.
The members of the Conven
tion were guests of the Silver
Leaf Club at the close of this
program. Delicious sandwiches
and punch were served.
Sunday Evening
Song Service was conducted
by the City Glee Club, of Con
cord, assisted by Mr. M. L.
Shiite, under the direction of
Miss Mercedes Hailey.
The closing sermon was
preached by Dr. L. B. West,
pastpr of Biddleville church. His
*Wfilwas" Phil. 2:5, “Let this
mind be in you which was also
in Christ Jesus.” He asked the
delegates as they returned to
their various fields to take these
words as their motto. Everyone
present felt the presence of God
and enjoyed this strong gospel
message.
Rev. F. C. Shirley was next
presented. He spoke of the
School of Methods and the great
good being accomplished through
it, and he also spoke of the great
good that is to be derived from
the Daily Vacation Bible
School.
The Resolutions of Thanks
were read by Miss Myrtle Bro
die.
The closing hymn was “God
be with you till we meet again.”
Benediction by Rev. Kaiser of
Concord.
CANADIAN SYNODICAL
CONVENTION AND SCHOOL
OF METHODS.
By Mrs. J. E. Gear
The Synodical Sunday School
Convention and School of Meth
ods of the Canadian Synod, held
at Elliott Academy, Valliant,
Okla., July 28-August 3rd, was
the most largely attended and
the greatest in its history. The
majority of the attendants were
young ladies and young men.
Too much commendation can
not be given to Dean C. N.
Shropshire and others for such
a well planned program, and to
the Director, Dr. A. B. McCoy,
for the carrying out of the same.
Many new features served to
vary the program and to in
crease the interest. Each piem
ber of the faculty presented his
subjects enthusiastically and
masterfully. It was a great
pleasure to have Miss Agnes B.
Snively, of the National Board,
to serve again as a member of
the faculty. All who attended
her classes and met her got the
inspiration and information
needed.
Mr. Black, of the National
Board, had charge of the recrea
tion work and games, and each
one soon caught the spirit and
decided by having it we would
be like our instructor—never
grow old. Rev. C. J. Baker, D
D., Mr. A. A. Adair and Rev
(Continued on page 4)
CHESTNUT STREET PRES
BYTERIAN CHURCH,
WILMINGTON.
The Second District Sunday
School Convention of Cape Pear
Presbytery, Catawba Synod,
convened at Chestnut Street
Presbyterian church, Wilming
ton, August 2nd, 1928.
At 8:00 P. M. there was a song
service. Following this there
was prayer by Mr. G. R. Marsh,
S. S. Missionary, and remarks
by the President, Mr. Fuller.
A welcome address was made
by Mr. John Belden, to which
there was a response by Mrs. H.
B. Bynum, of Kinston. She
stressed the importance of
teaching the young folks.
Next was an address by Pres
ident Fuller. He stressed the
importance of brevity in sermons
and speeches. He also spoke of
the growth of the D. V. B. S.
and the School of Methods. The
enrollment of delegates was done
by the Secretary, Mr. R. D
Moore.
Collection and adjournment.
Bible study was conducted by
Rev. N. A. Johnson who empha
sized communication with God
and the five requisites to prayer.
Demonstration in Church
Schools was givenljy Miss Susan
Peacock. She spoke of the dis
advantage of the one-room
church schools and gave ways of
improving them by use of cur
tains and invisible doors. Miss
Carrie Hargrave, of Wilming
ton, and Miss Grantham, of
Rocky Mount, told of methods
used in the Primary Depart
ments of their schools for stimu
lating interest.
Mrs. Bynum, of Kinston, re
presenting the Home and Cradle
Roll Departments, stressed the
importance of harmonizing the
home and Sunday school
There was open discussion of
“How to Attract Grown Ups in
Sunday School.” ■
Rev. A. H. George spoke on
the observance of different days
as children’s week when the
teacher visits each pupil. The
social side of this question was
stressed.
Following the song service at 2
P. M., Mr. James Oby, of Smith
field. discussed “Observance of
Special Days,” as Children’s
Day, Easter, Lincoln’s Day and
others.
Mrs. Mary Bryan, of New
Bern, spoke on “Parent and
Teacher Co-operation.” Mrs.
Bryan pointed out the impor
tance of co-operation without
which there can be no success.
Friday night there was a
popular meeting. A splendid
program was rendered consist
ing of solos, both vocal and in
strumental, an oration and pa
pers. The address of the eve
ning was given by Rev. A. H.
George, of Wilson, on “What
Shall I Do With My Life?” Col
lection, Adjournment.
Saturday at 9:30 o’clock re
ports from the Sunday schools
of the Convention were heard.
There was a report by Rev.
George for a special committee,
and other committees were ap
pointed.
Smithfield was chosen as the
next place of meeting.
At 4:30 P. M. there was an
outing to Seabreeze. All report
ed a most enjoyable time.
Sunday morning a sermon was
preached by Rev. W. H. Free
land, of Goldsboro. After the
morning service a model Sunday
school was conducted by Miss
Peacock and Mr. Marsh.
Sunday evening at 8:00 o’clock
there was a popular meeting. A
very interesting program ;!was
rendered. At this time among
the numbers given were two ex
cellent papers which were read
by Misses Vivian Sampson, of
Kinston, and Bertha Arrington,
of Rocky Mount.
After reading the following
resolutions and singing “God be
with you till we meet again” the
Convention closed.
Resolutions:
Whereas, we, the members oi
the Sunday School Convention
of the Second District of Cape
Fear Presbytery in session in the
“Playground of the South,” have
come to this beautiful place up
on your invitation and have en
joyed the hospitality of your
domes; and,
Whereas, we have been per
mitted to go and come at will;
have worked and played togeth
er; have gained inspiration from
one another and shall return to
our respective fields the better
for having come here, we the
members of this Convntion, beg
to submit the following resolu
tions:
Be it resolved:
First, that we thank the pas
tor and his congregation for the
efficient manner in which they
have carried out the program of
this Convention and for the
splendid, lively music.
Second, that we thank them
for their gracious reception and
kind hospitalit3r to every mem
ber .in your homes.
Third, that though not very
largely attended, we are thank
ful for the help and inspiration
gained in our meetings.
Fourth, we heartily thank
the recreation committee for the
outing in which we were per
mitted to dip into the mighty
waters of the Atlantic.
Fifth and lastly, that we thank
every one that made our stay
pleasant and profitable in any
way.
Respectfully submitted by the
committee on resolutions,
MR. JAMES OBY,
MISS S. B. GRANTHAM,
MRS. MARY R. BRYAN,
Chairman, i
We are happy to have Mrs.
E. C. Grigg and daughter, Lucy,
home again. More than six
weeks ago Mrs. Grigg had a has
ty summons to Jacksonville,
Fla., to the bedside of her
daughter who was very ill with
scarlet fever. Mr. E. C. Grigg
motored to Jacksonville for
them, returning last week.
Social Worker Appointed.
Miss Carrie G. Hargrave, a
graduate of the Atlanta Schoo*
of Social Work, Atlanta, Ga.,
class 1927, has been recently
appointed assistant welfare
officer of New Hanover County.
For many years she served in a
very competent manner as one
of the public schpol teachers.
Miss Hargrave is known
throughout Wilmington and New
Hanover County as a woman of
culture, refinement, education
and vision. These elements, to
gether with special training in
welfare work gives New Hano
ver County in Miss Hargrave a
worker to be proud of.
MRS. SUSIE HOWARD.
THE DEATH OP PROP. J. S.
MARQUIS.
Our Principal, Prof. J. S. Mar
quis, of Brainerd Institute, a
thinker and helper of others, was
called from this life, July 30.
1928, being in Albion, Michigan,
when God told an angel where
one of his servants could be
found. He was our benefactor,
and pointed us to the high call
ing which is in Christ Jesus. One
that didn’t tell us, but his light
so shined that we were influ
enced by his Christian living.
Flowers will fade but our remi
niscence of our dear Principal
will never fade.
vve regret tne departure oi
Prof. Marquis, and extend our
deepest sympathy to Mrs. Mar
quis, who has labored among us.
This poem we know bears the
motto of a willing worker:
“Lord, let me live from day to
day
In such a self-forgetful way,
That even when I kneel to pray,
My prayer shall be for others.
“Help me in all the work I do,
To ever be sincere and true,
And know that $11 I do for You,
Must needs be done for others.
“Let self be crucified and slain.
And buried deep, nor rise again •
And may all efforts be in vain,
Unless they be for others.
“And when my work on earth is
done,
And my new work in heaven is
begun,
May I forget the crown I’ve
won,
While thinking still of others.”
STUDENT.