THE more varied and thorough the knowledge of the teacher is, the better for his work. Its possession may have necessitated much mental exercise, but it has, doubtless, fostered habits of thoughtfulness and self-improvement. The pursuit of knowledge improves and brightens intelligence, strengthens the reasoning powers, and supplies the mind with material for communicating truth and suggesting thought to others. Knowledge is the result of study. "There never was an eminent, who was not an industrious man," said Cotton Mather. "I never knew an individual to gain any considerable mass of really digested and valuable knowledge without unwearied industry," is the testimony of one who had large opportunities of observing the knowledge of young men who sought to be instructors of others. Now study is not much reading, or the perusal of many books; it is the exercise of serious thought on what is read, thereby making it your own. The great text-book of the Sabbath-school teacher is the HOLY SCRIPTURES. The word of God is his constant class-book, and must, therefore, be his chief subject of study. He is to teach its inspired truths, and to draw from its ample stores precepts for duty, doctrines for faith, examples for living, and promises for comfort. These are not arranged there in order, but are scattered over the sacred books. He ought to be well acquainted with the Scriptures. Their histories, biographies, prophecies, precepts, doctrines, and promises, should be "familiar in his mouth as household words." Ignorance of the Scriptures is disqualification for a teacher's office. They cannot be good teachers who themselves are not well equipped with knowledge of the truth. The light possessed by the class will bear a proportion to that of the teacher. But the knowledge is not of the letter, it is of the spirit. It needs intelligence. It should be understood. The meaning of the sacred text is the proper knowledge of the teacher. This is his studious pursuit. For this end he avails himself of the helps that are provided. Not the least of these is a holy life. George Herbert mentions this first, and assigns as the reason, that if any "do God's will he shall know of the doctrine." "He that doeth truth cometh to the light." His second is prayer. "Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law." The Spirit of God is promised in answer to prayer, to open the understanding, to shine upon the word, and to interpret it. He leads into all truth. He teaches savingly, and to profit. He seals instruction upon the heart. It is said that a great commentator wrote chiefly upon his knees. He sought the aid of Him who inspired the Scriptures in attempting their elucidation. "The unction of the Spirit," said a French writer, "is a great Master in this science, and it is by prayer that we become his scholars."—Christian Teacher.