Our Work: Hints to Class Teachers; Assigning Lessons; Learning Passages of Scripture; The Teacher’s Duty; Conducting Recitations; A Word About the Era

HINTS TO CLASS TEACHERS. Assigningf Lessons. In the first place, the teacher should prepare himself by studying his lesson until he has a fresh knowledge of it, prior to appearing before the class. He should select the main points to be emphasized in the special lesson before him, and should be decided upon his general method of procedure, so as not to detain the class while he is formulating methods. At the close, the new lesson should be assigned, and it should be assigned to the whole class, as well as by topic to individual members. When topics are assigned to individual members, each member should arise and accept the assignment, thus giving a promise before the whole class, which he will be loath to break. To inefficient members, the easiest work should be given. Leafnmgf Passag;es of Scripture. A very pleasant part of a class exercise is to assign to and have the members learn a short passage of scripture each week. This may be selected from the lesson in hand, and should be short and striking. It should be understood that the whole class is to learn the passage, so that it may be repeated, both in concert and by individual, at the next meeting. The Teacher's Doty. » Let it be remembered that the higher your grade is the less formal- ity should be had therein, and that what the learner loves is of more importance than what he learns.

OUR WORK. 315 Know every class member and be thoroughly familiar with your work. You should love the lessons as well as the learners and be most interested in the least interested members. It is very essential to have order precede all instruction, and inter- est to follow it through. The student's work, if it is earnest, is as des«rving of attention as the teacher's is. No answer should be lightly treated if it is earnest. The individuality of the student should be both respected and encour- aged. The only true test of the value of your methods is the students' in- terest and advancement. Remember that the highest form of success, in class work, is to get others to succeed. Gsndticting; Recitations. Take it for granted that every one is prepared; gently hold the class to the subject; kindly keep each member to his part of the work and to the time allotted; treat careless preparation with indifference, but eulogize careful work, be it ever so poor; discourage manual reading as an exercise; encourage germane questions, but do not entertain questions foreign to the subject; do not let discussions consume the time that is allotted to other things; emphasize the important ideas of the exercise, and vary the method of disposing of the review questions, and be sure to review the lesson; avoid preaching, and let the teacher be the best lis- tener in the room. A WORD ABOUT THE ERA. It is gratifying to all who are engaged in the work of mutual improvement to know that the Era's subscription lists are larger this year than ever before. To supply the demand, we have been compelled to order a reprint of Nos. 1 and 2, and our patrons are requested to exercise a little patience until these can be printed. It is to be hoped that no effort to obtain subscribers will slacken, for we aim to provide for all, and all are welcome. In this connection, we d6sire to say that quite a number of interest- ing and accepted contributions as well as answers to questions are await- ing their turn to appear in our magazine.