IN Sections 2 and 3 of Article XX of the Manual of The Mother Church (pp. 62, 63) Mrs. Eddy gives us definite rules for teaching in the Sunday school. The instructions contained in the second section are of a general nature, whereas those in the third section are specific. There is, however, one great point of unity and similarity between them, namely, that the Scriptures must be the basis of the teaching. Have we ever asked ourselves why this should be so? Have we ever sought more deeply for a reason for the definite pronouncement that the Scriptures shall be taught the children? Or have we sometimes wondered whether it should not be sufficient to teach solely from the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, or even out of our own experience?
Why should the children be taught the Scriptures? On page 547 of Science and Health our Leader answers the question clearly as follows: "The Scriptures are very sacred. Our aim must be to have them understood spiritually, for only by this understanding can truth be gained." In other words, we gain the truth through the spiritual understanding of Scripture. Hence, every individual who seeks the truth in any line of endeavor can gain it only as he rests his research primarily on a spiritual understanding of Scripture.
How important, then, to lead the children to regard the Scriptures as the fountainhead of revealed truth, and to know that their success and happiness will always depend on turning to the Bible for guidance! As a guide in every situation in which anyone may be placed, there are suitable illustrations in the Bible, and ample instructions as to the truth about such a situation. It is possible that the child may not at first see the need of studying the Scriptures, but it is of paramount importance that the teacher should see it. And in proportion as the teacher does so, he will encourage the love for, and the desire to gain, the knowledge of the inspired Word which will grow and develop in the child's thought, thus laying the foundation for a noble life.
