ORIGINALITY by S. S. World

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 13, 1881

ORIGINALITY.

By S. S. World

A SABBATH-SCHOOL teacher is sometimes found who is very desirous of showing originality. He will not look at lesson helps, because he wishes to develop his own plan, and to accumulate his own materials. Such may be a good attitude in which to approach the lesson. The teacher who studies the Bible-text first, and then uses his own power of thought and resources in unfolding its meaning, begins right. But if he stops there he will be very inadequately prepared. His exposition is liable to be meagre, common-place, one-sided, and possibly, erroneous. Careful, conscientious, and prolonged study is the safeguard against such a danger. There are commentators who have brought disciplined minds and the results of profound studies to the elucidation of the text. Biblical geography and antiquities lend their aid. Modern customs throw their light upon the manners and customs of Scripture times. Lesson helps gather these results from many books and put them before the teacher. He need not sacrifice his originality in using them, if he learns to use them rightly.—S. S. World.