The following is a brief sketch of the method I have found very successful in illustrating such passages of Scripture. Cheltenham, May 12, 1845. 66 66 G. R. "Now, my dear children, you will all pay attention, for I am about to speak to you on a text of Scripture which you will find in the 84th Psalm and the 11th verse; it there speaks of God as a Sun and Shield. David is supposed to have composed this Psalm when he was driven far away from the temple and worship of God by his enemy, Saul; but, in the midst of his trouble and sorrow, he thinks of God, and prays to him; after which, he appears to be much comforted, and exclaims, full of faith and hope, 'The Lord God is a Sun and Shield.' Now, think of these words, and tell me if David spoke the truth when he said, 'God is a Sun and a Shield' ?" "Yes, Teacher, he spoke the truth, for all the word of God is true." "But is God a Sun? is he really a Shield?" "No, Teacher." "And yet you say David spoke the truth. How can this be?" We don't know." Then pay attention, and I will endeavour to explain it to you; but before I do this, I will tell you that many nations have paid divine worship to the sun, therefore have considered the sun to be God. Even our Saxon forefathers did this, before they had God's holy word to teach them better, for they worshipped the sun on the first day of the week, therefore it was called Sun's-day, but now Sunday. And why did they worship the sun? because they knew how many blessings in nature they received through the influence of the sun; and not knowing him who sends these blessings, and who makes all creation one grand instrument of conveying these blessings to us, they worshipped the creature whose glory they could see, and whose influence they could feel, rather than the great Creator, whom they could not see, and of whose power, goodness, and glory they knew nothing; for they had not his word, and no one ever found out God by nature only. "And now, dear children, you must know, in order to understand David's meaning, that in the Hebrew language, in which he spoke and wrote, there is no word answering to our word like; for if there had been, David would probably have said God is like a sun and shield; for this is his meaning, and this will make it quite clear that David did not speak an untruth when he said, 'God is a Sun and Shield.' But you are now all ready to ask, how it is that God is like a sun and shield?" [And then, in order to show them the beautiful adaptation of the figures, I point to the glory of the sun-the vital energy he imparts to nature-his unchangeableness, faithfulness, &c. &c. So also with the shield: its defence in the day of battle, especially when the weapons of warfare, as in those days, were principally arrows; but I hasten to the practical part of the subject.] "Now, dear children, you have seen the suitableness of these words in pointing out the glorious characters and all-sufficient care and protection of God; but you may ask, 'And what has all this to do with us?' And in order to make it useful to us, I would ask you a question or two: What would you say of those persons who would shut themselves up in darkness, and declare there is no sun? who, when they were invited to come forth to behold his glory, and to feel the genial warmth of his rays, would obstinately perist in remaining in darkness and coldness, and still say there is no sun? We should say they were very foolish persons. Yes, and the Bible says, 'The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God.' But what if you knew those persons were fast bound, and could not come forth to enjoy that glorious sun, and his blessed influence? Oh! you would then pity them; you would try to loose their bonds; you would pray that they might be delivered. Now, it is because you are all by nature in such a dark prison-house-it is because you and all are tied and bound by the chain of our sins-that we invite you to come and seek for God in his word, where he may be found, and to apply to Jesus, who alone can unbind and deliver you, and show you by the power of his blessed Spirit the glory of God, and make you to feel the warming, comforting influence of his love in your hearts. But, again, what would you say of those persons who, as their enemies approached them in the day of battle, would march forth, in the pride of their hearts, and in the strength of their own arm, without a shield? Oh! they would be very foolish also. duty of "saying prayers." He repeated his stated yet, knew not him to He attended with his prayer in his bed at night, and, as whom the words were addressed. master's family the ministry of a faithful cleryman, but the "joyful sound" was unheard by his spiritual ear. But there was mercy in store for him, although still an unrepaired, uninhabited temple; and the heavenly occupant of renewed human nature shortly made a decided and permanent entrance, opening the closed door by an unexpected and wonderful, though most lowly, instrumentality. A little boy came on a visit to his master's house, and was placed as a sharer in his bed. This child had a pious mother, and his companion remarked that he reverently kneeled down to pray before retiring to his bed. In the morning the same act of pious devotion was repeated, and the youth again felt attracted by it. At night, when they retired, he determined to kneel down and try to pray himself. His interest in the subject increased, but he felt his want of light; and he had now a strong desire to know what he ought to do. He determined to read a portion of Scripture daily, and to ask for light. This he diligently did, and became increasingly anxious about his hitherto unthought of soul. But he gained continual and wonderful increase of the 'light" that he desired by every Scripture that he read. They became his delight; and now he felt a strong interest in the instructions he heard at church. Still his light shone more and more; every sermon was blessed : every time he read, he received an accession of knowledge, and he felt more and more desirous to press forward in the course he had begun. His whole heart was engaged in the one grand object, and it was ever before him, and his watchful Father helped him. He was much left alone in the printing office at this time, and the place became his Bethel. He there poured out his soul in prayer: he loved to retire thither and express to his newly-found heavenly Friend the feelings that overpowered every other. He says, "he could not but pray." Light, and comfort, and happiness, were given. A surrender of his heart was fully made, and he was anxious now to receive every means of grace, and to glorify Him who had "called him out of darkness into His marvellous light." Surely this was the "eagerness" that characterizes the flight of the "doves to their windows;" and that showed itself in the entreaties of those of old, who were the objects of our Saviour's miracles. As soon as the opportunity presented itself, he was confirmed, and immediately received the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. He was much blessed in its reception, and resolved to communicate regularly. Having reached manhood, the subject of this little account was regarded with respect as a humble and consistent Christian. His ardent love found a channel in his successful exertions as a Sunday-school Teacher, in which office he was most devoted, remembering with glowing gratitude the effects of the piety of a little child, so simply and unobtrusively practised. Many have been much benefited in various ways by this Christian man, as, I believe, must be the case with every Christian, called as he is, by Infinite Wisdom, the "salt of the earth." "Who hath despised the day of small things?" May this little recital afford encouragement to others as well as to myself, who may be labouring and seeing no fruit yet of their poor yet anxious endeavours. With much respect, dear Sir, I am yours sincerely, A SUNDAY-SCHOOL TEACHER. THE PRACTICAL ILLUSTRATION OF REV SIR,-Will you allow me to introduce to your notice the propriety of Teachers practically illustrating the metaphors of Scripture to the little ones committed to their charge? It would probably surprise Teachers to find the ignorance manifested by their children on asking them why God is called a "Sun and Shield," or how it is possible for God to be a "Wall of Fire," &c., and yet they would experience great delight in explaining such passages of Scripture to their children, especially when they saw, as I have seen, the intense interest and pleasure which such explanations excite in the youthful mind, and the developement of mind occasioned thereby. The following is a brief sketch of the method I have found very successful in illustrating such passages of Scripture. G. R. Cheltenham, May 12, 1845. 66 "Now, my dear children, you will all pay attention, for I am about to speak to you on a text of Scripture which you will find in the 84th Psalm and the 11th verse; it there speaks of God as a Sun and Shield. David is supposed to have composed this Psalm when he was driven far away from the temple and worship of God by his enemy, Saul; but, in the midst of his trouble and sorrow, he thinks of God, and prays to him; after which, he appears to be much comforted, and exclaims, full of faith and hope, 'The Lord God is a Sun and Shield.' Now, think of these words, and tell me if David spoke the truth when he said, 'God is a Sun and a Shield' ?” "Yes, Teacher, he spoke the truth, for all the word of God is true." But is God a Sun? is he really a Shield?" "No, Teacher." "And yet you say David spoke the truth. How can this be?” We don't know." Then pay attention, and I will endeavour to explain it to you; but before I do this, I will tell you that many nations have paid divine worship to the sun, therefore have considered the sun to be God. Even our Saxon forefathers did this, before they had God's holy word to teach them better, for they worshipped the sun on the first day of the week, therefore it was called Sun's-day, but now Sunday. And why did they worship the sun? because they knew how many blessings in nature they received through the influence of the sun; and not knowing him who sends these blessings, and who makes all creation one grand instrument of conveying these blessings to us, they worshipped the creature whose glory they could see, and whose influence they could feel, rather than the great Creator, whom they could not see, and of whose power, goodness, and glory they knew nothing; for they had not his word, and no one ever found out God by nature only. "And now, dear children, you must know, in order to understand David's meaning, that in the Hebrew language, in which he spoke and wrote, there is no word answering to our word like; for if there had been, David |