Language Teaching

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Washington, D. C. · Dec 24, 1903

Language Teaching

In the matter of language teaching, it is not a question of whether it is essential or not essential. Every one will see the necessity of language study. This being so, the question resolves itself simply into one of aims in language study, method in language study, and the material to be used in language study.

First, we ought to find what the present status of language teaching is, then find any fault that we have to find with it, and suggest a remedy. I have only one fault to find with language teaching, and only one remedy to offer. To get them before you I wish to read a scripture that seems to me to define the status of language teaching, not only in the world, but also in our own schools to that extent to which worldly methods have come into them. “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof”—that tells it better than I can; having a form of godliness, or correctness, or rightness, but lacking in power. The exhortation is, “From such turn away.” Do not follow that kind of work. “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth,” that is really the fault that I have to find with language teaching among us, especially as those interested in giving this great message to the world. It is just as pleasing to the enemy to divert our minds toward the form of language, and occupy us with that so fully—in studying its beauties, its symmetry, and all the attractive features for form—that we miss the power, as it is to do a like thing in religion.

“In doctrine [that is, in teaching] showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that can not be condemned.” Now sound speech, my brethren, is speech that is not only beautiful in exterior, but sound to the core. What it contains is something that will give help, will give strength, something that will impart life.

Paul said to Timothy, “Hold fast the form of sound words.” Now if a word is sound as to its quality, as to the truth and power it contains, then the most fitting thing is to put that in correct form, to hold fast the form of sound speech. It includes that, but the form is secondary, the power and the truth and the life that are in it are primary.

In the twelfth Psalm the word of the Lord is defined as to its quality. “The words of the Lord are pure words.” This does not mean that they are pure in the literary sense only, but they are pure to the very heart, the very core, their very essence is pure. How pure?—“As silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.” The very emblem of perfectness in purity. Here is defined the opposite kind of words: “They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.” That is the external form capable of change or variation. It may not be a true index of what is within. “The Lord shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things.” But in the fifteenth Psalm we read: “Who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.” Not the double hearted, but he that invariably speaks the truth in his heart. Then the seventeenth Psalm: “Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.” That is the purpose of my heart. I have the truth there, I speak the truth in my heart. In addition to that, but secondary to it, I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress in the imparting of that truth. Do you want any better language study than that?

In the thirty-second chapter of Deuteronomy, we read: “Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine [my teaching, the words of my mouth] shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass.” The sweetest and prettiest picture that you can imagine of the impartation of truth! There are times when truth must be declared in thunder tones. There are times when the truth will reach the heart only through the sweetness of its still, small voice. “Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.” Now his teaching distils as the dew. Not alone in the manner of dew, but the distilling of the dew is one form of speech. The very distilling itself is the voice of God speaking. In the word of God we see the secrets of power are hidden. No less perfect in form than any other,—

exquisitely perfect in form,—they have a power that is irresistible—a power that will penetrate the hardest of hearts.

What, then, is the highest aim in language teaching and in language study? Is it not the acquisition, the development, of power,—power of original thinking,—power of being and acting? If that is not the primary purpose, I misconceive the place of language teaching in Christian education; and I want to say this, that if language teaching ever comes to the place where it is not a channel through which truth and power can be imparted and developed in the student, it has no place in Christian education.

Is it not true that our language work has degenerated much into a form of study? A study of forms is necessary, but it is only as a means. There is no virtue whatever in it itself. Language is only a means to an end, invariably and always. Just the moment you make language the end in your study, you have lost the true aim. Language is an instrument. It is a tool in our hands to use, it is a vehicle to convey truth, to convey the thoughts of God; and God, who is the source and the embodiment of all truth, gives us truth in the most perfect form you can find anywhere. Let me emphasize, then, that in our language study we must seek after truth, we must strive after power to express truth, power to live the truth, power to exemplify it in all that we do.

(To be concluded)

Language Teaching *

Language Teaching