This is a subject well worthy of your prayerful attention.  Remember that you are dependent upon the Holy Spirit for the proper direction of the powers of your mind.  Pray, then, for clearness of perception, and discrimination of judgment, that you may understand the truth; and for skill to communicate it to your class.  Study every Sabbath school lesson in your closet, with these ends in view.  Persevere in your efforts till you become mistress of the art of teaching.

3. Let your own heart be affected with the truth you are endeavoring to teach. Upon this, so far as your instrumentality is concerned, greatly depends your success.  Unless you feel the force of the truth yourself, it will be very difficult for you to convince the children that you are in earnest.  While preparing the lesson, in your closet, try to obtain a realizing sense of the personal interest which you and your class have in the subject you are contemplating.  See what bearing it has upon your and their eternal destiny; and pray for the Holy Spirit to impress it powerfully upon your heart.  Always, if possible, spend a little season in your closet, as an immediate preparation for the duties of the Sabbath school.  Get your heart refreshed, in view of the practical truth contained in the lesson; and go before your class deeply impressed with its solemn import.

4. Make a personal application of the practical truths contained in the lesson; and embrace frequent opportunities of conversing separately and privately with every one of your scholars, in regard to their religious feelings.  If they give no evidence of piety, explain to them the duty of immediate repentance and submission to God, and urge them to perform it without delay.  Do this, under the solemn impression that it may be your last opportunity, and that you will soon meet them at the judgment-seat of Christ.

If you have reason to believe their hearts have been renewed, show them the importance of high spiritual attainments.  Urge upon them the duties of watchfulness, self-examination, studying the Scriptures, and prayer.  Show them also the necessity of carrying out their religion into every action of their lives.  Show them that the design of religion is to make them better; to give them better dispositions; to keep them humble; and make them more amiable, obedient, and dutiful in everything.  Teach them also the great importance of improving their minds, while young, to fit them for the service of Christ.  You may have before you some future Harriet Newell, or Mrs. Judson, who may willingly surrender all the comforts of this life to carry the glad tidings of salvation to the benighted heathen.