MUCH has been said and written in regard to the privilege of teaching in a Christian Science Sunday school. There are two thoughts that it is especially important to bear in mind in Sunday school work, and they are embodied in words that go hand in hand yet are often overlooked or misunderstood by those entrusted with the teaching,—the words "simple" and "practical." From every viewpoint these words gather fresh significance, and if their meaning be studied and used as a foundation-stone for guidance in teaching, the result will be an impetus and that illumination for which the earnest teacher is constantly praying.
Mrs. Eddy has many times used in her writings the word "simple" as applied to the ideas of Truth, and we may readily appreciate this when we realize that this word means "not infolded or entangled." Were the rules of Christian Science complex or entangled, the thought that teaching children Christian Science is a difficult task, well-nigh impossible to accomplish, would be a prevalent fear in the thought of every newly appointed Sunday school teacher, and fear and self-depreciation would prevail instead of joyful confidence and self-knowledge. A complex statement of truth is often difficult to explain and make practical to an adult, and how much more difficult to bring within the comprehension of a child! But a simple truth, not infolded or entangled, may be approached from the beginning with a feeling of confidence and assurance.
In the Manual of The Mother Church Mrs. Eddy has given explicit rules for the Sunday school teacher, and he is wise indeed who gives the sections of Article XX frequent study and earnest thought. In Science and Health she says (p. 236), "Children are more tractable than adults, and learn more readily to love the simple verities that will make them happy and good." The simple verities that make happy and good are a helpful outline for Sunday school work, and if adhered to will prove a rock of understanding in case of doubt as to the wisdom of any step of teaching, and will prevent the discussion of any foreign subject apt to cause restlessness or misunderstanding in the child-thought.
