1. Labor to obtain a clear, full, and discriminating view of gospel truth yourself. This is indispensable, if you would impress the same upon the minds of others.  If your general views of truth are obscure, indefinite, and unsatisfactory to yourself, your instructions will be of the same character.

2. Study to become skilful in the sacred art of so communicating divine truth to children, that they will understand it. Little as this may be esteemed, it is one of the most valuable talents you can possess.  I know of no other which females can so profitably employ in the service of Christ.  On this subject, I will offer the following suggestions:—­

(1.) Study the juvenile mind. Observe the principles by which it is developed and called forth into action.  See how you can apply these principles to effect the object in view.  Be familiar with children.  Become acquainted with their language and modes of thinking; and strive to adapt yourself to their capacities.

(2.) Use such helps as you can obtain. There are many works published on the subject of education, which develop important principles, of great use in communicating knowledge to the young.  Some of these are especially designed for Sabbath school teachers.  Study them with diligence; treasure up all useful hints, and apply them in practice.

(3.) Aim at drawing out the minds of the children, and teaching them to study and think, with clearness and precision, for themselves. There is a great difference between conversing with children and talking to them.  By the former, you call their minds into exercise, and get hold of their feelings.  Thus you will secure their attention.  But the latter will be much less likely to interest them; for, being the recipients of thought, instead of thinking for themselves, they participate less in the exercise.  By engaging them in conversation, and leading that conversation in the investigation of truth, you teach them to think.  The mental discipline which this calls forth, is a matter of no small consequence.  It may have an important bearing upon their whole future characters.

If we simply explain to a child the meaning of a passage of Scripture, the whole benefit lies in the instruction he receives at the time.  But, if we show him practically how to ascertain the meaning himself, and bring him under the mental discipline which it requires, we give him a kind of key to unlock the meaning of other passages.  By an ingenious mode of catechizing, children’s minds may be led to perceive and understand almost any truth, much more distinctly and clearly than by any direct explanation which, a teacher can make.  By catechizing, I do not mean the repeating of catechisms; but the calling out of their minds upon any Scripture truth that may be before them, by a series of simple questions, leading them to see the truth as though they had discovered it themselves.