p. 15 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 2. (1/14/1913)

The Training of Children

By Elizabeth Burns-Howell

Value of Symbol and Story

(Concluded)

By Elizabeth Burns-Howell

The Story of Naughty Nannie

THE tale is exceedingly simple, as all good children’s stories are, presenting a plain picture and a pointed moral. But under mother’s skilful touch, it breathes and glows with all the power of a living drama.

It was the time of the apple harvest. The children had waited for the special day when the glorious golden and scarlet globes were to be gathered. With gay laughter and happy shout, the first heaping baskets were brought in. Then seated in a circle on the autumn grass, they were given choice of the finest of the fruit, each selecting for himself the particular big, round ball of lusciousness that appealed to his fancy. Of course, all chose big ones. This was agreed upon with the understanding that only one was to be eaten this time. But Nannie was not satisfied. She seldom was. She was always wanting the second helping, or even a third. But mother was firm. Still Nannie wanted that second apple, and inwardly resolved to have it. So an hour later, she managed to slip it from the basket, and hurrying behind the house, devoured it greedily.

So far satisfaction; but in the dark hours of the night, O, what pangs! as she tossed in her sleep and awoke in the throes of cholera morbus. Then came the doctor, gruff and forbidding, and the ordeal of bitter medicine. O, you may be sure Naughty Nannie suffered sufficiently for her greediness and the sin of deception, so that Harriet right then and there abandoned the secret little plan she had half formed, to slip into the pantry and sneak a pocketful of cookies when mother’s back was turned.

Now this is exceedingly simple, isn’t it? But herein lies its value. Remember, tho it is only a little story of a child, and for a child, it goes straight to the point, and I assure you does its intended work far more effectively than yards of “curtain-lecture” on the naughtiness in question. Now you may doubt it, but Little Five-year-old will ask to hear about Naughty Nannie over and over again, and herself point the moral with enthusiasm. To confirm this statement, I will add that this is not a fancied sketch, but a tried and proven instance.

We have not space to outline all of this unusual mother’s moral-stories here. But she has a whole coterie of them, peopled by a battalion of little folk from the Land of Imagination and Possible Experience—their names always suggestive of their character, and with a trick of alliteration to catch the childish ear. In passing, we can only note a few favorites with the children.

To correct the dilly-dally habit and inspire to methods of promptness and despatch, two little characters were evoked. First, Sallie Slow—note the unattractive name—who was forever behindhand, at home and at school, always getting an unhappy share of scoldings and punishments for her tardy habits, and missing most of the games and good times in general, because she was always too late.

“Don’t be like Sallie Slow,” was enough to stir the little laggard, every time. The direct antithesis of this undesirable young person was lovely little Kittie Quick, happy and bright, and busy as a bee, the joy of her mother’s heart, and beloved of all her playmates.

To her lot often fell the choice of the games at school, and she was sure to win a share in every prize offered by her teachers, etc., etc.,

“Run Kittie Quick,” was to insure an exhibition of speed, sometimes quite astonishing.

For the discontented child, our wise mother borrowed “Trixie Trouble” from Miss Carolyn Wells, and her blithesome little contrast, “Sunny Susie,” with their effective pictures and verse.

In fact, Miss Wells and our mother seem to have caught the same method, tho it is certain each was quite ignorant of the other in the beginning. This but proves that they have hit upon a universal truth—the natural aptitude of the child-mind for assimilating that which is concrete in form, hence definite in suggestion.

Children dwell in the material world of objects which appeal directly to the primitive senses and instincts. They have little concern with theory, hence their aversion to a “lecture” and worse yet, a scolding, in the mere abstract. But a story, they will take that every time, tho the moral hits hard, and delight in it. And while the scolding or preachment is not only resented but soon forgotten, the object-lesson stays, and is recalled at a word. Moreover, the story method is impersonal, tactfully evading direct accusation or reproof, by placing the blame on that fictitious character, whose feelings are not hurt thereby. Thus the intellect and judgment are reached without the obstacle of a conflict with pride or a sense of personal injury. “O, then you do not believe in direct reproof,” I hear some one say. Indeed I do, when necessary. But be sure it is necessary. Try more agreeable methods first. Children are such dear little beings. Their young hearts are so tender, their sympathies so keen, their simple, heart-whole enthusiasm so easily aroused, it were a pity to tread roughshod over all these finer sentiments, and resort abruptly to the bludgeon of brutality, either figurative or real, without even an effort in the saner, subtiler way.

But we have only touched the border of this wonderful Story-land. One thing to be remarked here is that fairy tales and mythological legend are not included in the approved list. Only true narratives or those within the limits of probable truth, as parables, are recommended.

Since the field of nature and of human experience, as well as of divine revelation, are inexhaustible and beyond the complete comprehension of the human mind, why cumber the ground with the rubbish of superstition and fancy? “What is the chaff to the wheat?”

Later, we may enlarge upon the various other story-groups—nature, or science and industry, history and biography, Bible, etc., including a simple analysis of each subject, together with suggestive outlines for the help of the novice in the story-telling art.

As a justification for my attempt to present this subject, may I tell you what incited me to it?

A very excellent young mother was calling, and I had just remarked the incessant demand of the insatiable story-appetite of my little brood, and the really wonderful things a story could do,—“But of course you know all about it—I suppose little Madge is quite the same.”

Imagine my surprise at the reply that she had “one story that she told her.” And the child going on four! O, the poverty of that little soul! No wonder her restless animalism was a distress to her family. How simple to have hushed the excitable little nerves with a soothing bird story and song—

“Mother-bird is coming soon, To her nest, to her nest,”

or of the rain-drops, always preceded by the word-picture,—how the gentle spring rain is calling to the sleeping flowers—

“To the great brown house where the flowers dwell, Came the rain with its tap, tap, tap. And whispered, ‘Violet, Snowdrop, and Rose, Your sleepy eyes you must now unclose From your long, long wintry nap.’ Said the rain with its tap, tap, tap.”

But this brings us into another, tho kindred realm, the use of song, and so we find ourselves launched in a course of real kindergarten, which demands infinitely more space than we can here command.

What a beautiful word is that which Froebel chose to interpret his divine system of child-culture. Most of you know its significance, I hope. If its author had been English, instead of German, we should say child-garden, which, to our ears, would convey a much deeper meaning. But how wonderful is the symbol—each “little one” a tender human plant in the Garden of Home!

And O, what a privilege to be chosen the chief gardener in such a field! And with what humility and grace of spirit should we pray for wisdom and patience in the nurture of such seedlings.

Finally, to make the analogy complete, note the vigilance and relentless toil of the actual gardener in the realm of nature. No roughshod, helter-skelter methods there! Consider Burbank,—the years of persistent effort to develop or improve a single specimen of plant life. Shall we be less patient, less painstaking, in the great responsibility of motherhood?—God forbid!

A Quarter for Missions

“STRANGE how small a quarter looks for neckties, and how big it looks for missions.”

Press On Through Setbacks

“Press on! If once or twice thy feet slip back and stumble, harder try.”

Kindness Is Catching

By Humane Press Bureau

On the playground fence a teacher put a cake for the birds, telling her pupils of their usefulness and intelligence, and the wrong of injuring them. Next day her most unruly boy ate only half his lunch, and put the other half on the fence. Kindness is contagious, and example is powerful. That fence is now the favorite perch of many birds, even when the yard is filled with noisy boys, and the unruly boy has changed for the better. Surely those boys will all be nobler men and better citizens for the tuition of such a teacher.

While every child should be intellectually educated, it is certain that education of the heart is even more essential to the welfare of society and to individual happiness, and children are entitled to both.

A noted American has said, “The spirit of cruelty is the deadliest enemy to a high civilization.” And Humboldt said, “Cruelty to animals is a characteristic vice of a vulgar people.” As all crime is cruel, to abolish cruelty is to abolish crime.—Humane Press Bureau.

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Signs of the Times Magazine

By Editor

FEBRUARY

“Signs of the Times Magazine”

A Live Magazine

Readers of this journal will easily recognize this February number of the “Signs Magazine” as being one of the most timely that has yet been produced. Sample copies, ten cents, in coin or stamps.

“The Future of Turkey in Prophecy,” by L. A. Reed. The events in the fulfilment of the prophecy are traced out clearly, definitely, and interestingly. A strong, convincing setting, showing the importance of the times.

“Lack of Faith a Sign,” by the editor. An article that clearly shows these particular conditions to-day as a sign of the times, and turns the minds of the readers to serious thought.

“The Advent Message in Europe,” by Mrs. E. G. White. Another timely article in this important series. Real foundation builders.

“The Movement with Which Seventh-Day Adventists Are Identified, as Foretold in the Scriptures”—No. 2, by T. E. Bowen. These articles, without question, are of the utmost importance, presenting the rise and progress of this great movement in just the way that will interest the unacquainted reader. Genuine, converting, missionary articles.

“Light on Life’s Path,” the new department, but one of wide interest and helpfulness.

“Like as a Father,” by Mrs. L. D. Avery-Stuttle. Another of those sympathetic, home articles for our Home Department.

“Glimpses of China,” by F. E. Stafford. “Gardens” is the subject presented in this number.

“Bible and Science, Evolution in Prophecy.” Another sign of the times. World-wide fulfilment. A brief, unanswerable presentation.

“Replenished from the East.” The heathenism of the East supplanting Christianity,—a sign of the times.

“Signs of the End” in earthquake, famine, and sword.

Signs of the Times Magazine, Mountain View, California

An Incident of the Balkan War

It is well known that in many places the Turks fled at the approach of the Bulgarian army. Such was the case at Mustapha Pasha. There was such a panic among the Turks, that in their flight mothers left their children. Our soldiers along with the dead and wounded had to gather the crying babies. Many a Bulgarian soldier considered it his duty to send home a Turkish baby to be taken care of, when he discovered that its mother had abandoned it and could not be found. A cavalry lieutenant from Sofia added the other day to his family of six children a seventh one—a Turkish baby girl. His horse suddenly shied, and the rider saw on the ground the baby, and jumped off to take it. Just at that moment a shell fell on the saddle of the horse. The baby saved the man's life. He left it in the care of a Bulgarian woman in the city, and when after the battle he could not discover its mother, he sent it to his wife to care for as one of her own.—Sofia Correspondence of the Christian Herald.

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Sanctuary

“Christ Our Advocate,” a pamphlet which can be secured at this office for ten cents, is an invaluable aid in studying the sanctuary question. It explains the building and purpose of the earthly sanctuary, patterned after the heavenly, and pictures the present work of Christ, “Our Advocate,” in the heavenly sanctuary. The great prophetic 2,300 day period is thoroly explained, as are also prophecies relating to the conditions in the world during the time that the heavenly sanctuary cleansing work is going on.

A MORE EXCELLENT MINISTRY

By E. E. Andross

A New Pamphlet on the Sanctuary Question

By E. E. Andross

A study of our Lord’s sacrifice and more excellent ministry, which explains the subject of the sanctuary and its services, and the ministry of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary for His people. Has 16 chapters, more than 200 pages. Price, 25 cents, post-paid.

OUR LITTLE FRIEND

The Children’s Eight-page Weekly

Stands for great and sound principles of goodness and truth, and instills them, by simple lessons and stories, into the minds of its little readers.

Its General Contents

The Great Out-of-Doors and Some of Its Delights and Wonders, Children of the Bible, Our Feathered Friends, Dumb Creatures of the World, Confidential Talks with Boys and Girls about Themselves, What a Boy Can Do, What a Girl Can Do, How to Spend Rainy Days, The Bulletin Board.

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The Balkan War

By C. Vogt

From Our Own Correspondent

A TERRIBLE war is reaping a bloody harvest in the Macedonian fields. The lamentations of the torn sacrifices of deluded human hopes for greatness and happiness, ring out into the dead silence of the cold winter nights. The tragedy of the dissolution of the mighty Turkish Empire, which has been in existence for nearly a century, is now being enlarged by a new chapter, and a new page in the history of mankind is being covered with reports of battles,—dead and wounded.

It is possible that Macedonia will be divided between the Balkan kingdoms of Bulgaria, Greece, Servia, and Montenegro, after peace has been signed.

Mosque of St. Sophia — Constantinople — the central religious object of the city

The development of these countries, especially of the first-named three, during the last ten years, seems to show that they could use the rich treasures of European Turkish soil to better advantage than it has been used heretofore. Without doubt, as far as management is concerned, the lot of the Balkan peoples, as independent peoples, would be better than under Turkish rule, altho one must acknowledge that the Turkish government has tried to do what it could in this respect with its limited means during the past few years. One hindrance has been the continual need of money, since Turkey used most of its means for the equipment of its military and naval forces. Another was the inability of many of the lower officials, and a certain irregularity in promises and measures taken by leading individuals.

This war has been called a crusade in the declarations made by the four combined kingdoms, or a continuation of the middle-age campaigns of Occidental knights toward the East to establish Christian kingdoms in the lands where Christianity was first known. As a support of these campaigns, however, there was the same power which proclaimed the crusades against the “heretics,” such as the Waldenses, Albigenses, etc.; namely, the Papacy. The antichristlike trait showed itself then, in the endeavor to spread Christianity by means of fire and the sword. The Saviour also taught His disciples quite clearly: “Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.” Paul says: “Take the . . . sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.” To use the power of Christianity for a warlike purpose, is a derogation of religion. But of course, it must be acknowledged that the religious views of the Balkan peoples in these struggles are to a great extent mixed with politics.

The conflict still rages, and it is doubtful whether or not the Turkish army will be entirely routed by the combined forces of the enemy. The Turkish people know little or nothing concerning the war and its progress, as the spreading of unfavorable news would be likely to cause local disturbances. Even the Turkish capital is in the dark concerning the condition of things.

It is rather difficult to say what influence this war is likely to have upon the work of God, and the progress of the last message of grace. At present, the whole work is practically at a standstill, since there are no means of traffic or communication; and in many places the sieges are in progress, and all the young men have been called to arms. Flight into other countries seems to be general, especially in the case of promising youth. In Macedonia itself the work had only been commenced but a short time ago. The future will teach whether it is easier to labor under Turkish government which does not trouble about the different denominations, or under the rule of the orthodox Balkan States, one of whose chief supporters is the fanatical clergy of the Oriental confession. C. Vogt.

Constantinople, November 10, 1912.

From Burma

FROM a private letter from Pastor H. H. Votaw, superintendent of the Burmese Mission, we extract the following:

“Our work is growing nicely. We have just issued the third number of our Burmese quarterly magazine. Each time 5,000 copies have been printed, and all have been disposed of. We have about 2,600 subscribers now, and hope to have 5,000 by the time the paper is a year old. We have found that the journal awakens an interest wherever it goes, and we feel that it will advance our work more rapidly than any other factor.

“The school in Meiktila is growing rapidly. Last year we only had about thirty-five students, and when the present school term opened in May, thirty-five boys were present. Brother Thurber naturally felt glad for this, and in a tone of confidence he wrote to me saying that he expected the number would rise to fifty within the next few months. But it has not stopped at fifty, nor even at seventy-five, but has risen until we now have more than a hundred, and still they come. It would do your heart good to visit the school, to see these bright boys taught the gospel, and to hear them sing the songs of Zion and repeat the precious words of the Scriptures. It always moves me especially, for I feel that from this school we will soon get workers to help finish the work here. It is something that leaves me with a new love for God and a new reverence for the power of the gospel, as I see souls emerging from the darkness of heathenism into the light of gospel truth.

“In Rangoon there is a class of candidates preparing for baptism as a result of the work done in English. Six will be baptized soon, and two or three more a little later. Three races and will be represented in the first number, but we have learned long ago that the message we have gives no heed to racial distinctions.

“Our rains will soon be over, and we are planning for a vigorous campaign during the dry, cooler months.”

May God bless the work in far Burma.

Obedient to the Vision

C. W. BLANPIED, immigration secretary of the San Francisco Y. M. C. A., saw a vision of his work, and was obedient to the vision, as stated in a circular issued by the University of California.

“While working in a factory, Blanpied saw a foreman, angry at a foreign workman’s inability to understand orders, hit the workman in the jaw and knock him off a platform upon a pile of bricks, to his grievous injury. When Blanpied remonstrated, the foreman expressed great surprise at his interest in a mere ‘Wop.’ ‘If you want to help him out,’ said the foreman, ‘why don’t you teach him to talk English?’ Blanpied in that instant saw a life-work dawn before him. He set to work. He gathered together a group of Slavonians in a room a saloon-keeper put at his disposal (after a church had refused similar accommodations), and began to teach the men English. A friend, a college student,

went with him one night to see what he was doing, and was fired with enthusiasm. Blanpied turned over his Slavonians to the student, and got together a new group for himself. After two years’ work in Tacoma, he had a thousand foreigners studying English, and for teachers, sixty-four college students.”

There is just such work as this lying before Christians everywhere. The real thing is not simply to see the vision—we need anointed eyes for this—but when we see the vision to be obedient to it. That is what made the apostle Paul,—“I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.”

Individuality and Common Life

By Henry van Dyke

INDIVIDUALISM is a fatal poison. But individuality is the salt of common life. You may have to live in a crowd, but you do not have to live like it, nor subsist on its food. You may have your own orchard. You may drink at a hidden spring. Be yourself if you would serve others.—Henry van Dyke, D.D.

Hindu Teaching on Lying to Women

“ACCORDING to the holy books of Hindu religion it is not a sin to lie to a woman.”

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NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PACIFIC PRESS PUBLISHING ASSOCIATION

By C. H. Jones; H. G. Childs

Notice is hereby given, to all whom it may concern, that the Annual Meeting of the members of the Pacific Press Publishing Association, a corporation, organized and existing under, and by virtue of, the laws of the State of California, will be held at the office of the Association on Villa Street, in the Town of Mountain View, County of Santa Clara, State of California, on Monday, the 27th day of January, A.D., 1913, at 10 o'clock A.M.

The election of Directors for the ensuing year, the advisability of amending, repealing, or adopting new by-laws, or such other business as may be necessary or proper to be transacted, will come before the members of the Association.

By order of the Directors.

C. H. Jones, President.

H. G. Childs, Secretary.

See notice of Special Meeting.

SPECIAL NOTICE

By C. H. Jones; H. G. Childs

While the regular Annual Meeting of the Pacific Press Publishing Association will be held according to date given in the foregoing legal notice, it has been decided to hold an informal meeting Monday, January 20, 1913, at 10 o'clock A.M. At this time, all the business that is usually transacted at the regular meeting will be presented for consideration, and the actions taken will be approved at the legal meeting which will follow one week later. We therefore extend a hearty invitation to all the members of the Pacific Press Publishing Association to attend this special meeting.

This change in plan is to accommodate many of the leading members of the Association, including General Conference representatives and others, who will be in attendance at the Missionary and Bookmen's Convention to be held in Mountain View, California, January 13 to 23, 1913.

C. H. Jones, President.

H. G. Childs, Secretary.

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Bibles.—Remember that we are headquarters for anything in the Bible line. Address this office.

Helping Together

By Editor

THERE are constantly coming to this office requests for this paper for (1) those who are poor and unable to take the paper; (2) for mission work among prisoners and others otherwise confined or secluded; (3) for public reading-rooms; (4) for general missionary work in foreign fields by our missionaries; (5) for general missionary work in various phases. Sometimes there are calls for tracts in foreign languages as well as English. It is not possible for the publishing house to meet all these requests. Publications are sometimes published at a loss to the house. We felt sure that many more of our readers would be glad to help us in this work. Thus may we bring together those who have no time or opportunity to do missionary work, but who are able to help others who have the time and opportunity, but not the means. Who will contribute to our Coöperation Fund?

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The Perpetuity of the Law of God

An excellent tract to study in connection with the law of God is Bible Students’ Library, No. 178, “The Perpetuity of the Law of God.” Single copy, post-paid, 2 cents; $1.00 a hundred. This office.

News from Constantinople and Saloniki

In our Missions' column, we have a short article from Brother C. Voigt, of Constantinople. In a letter accompanying it, he tells us that he had sent us something under date of September 2, 1912, with a dozen pictures, but we have not received the articles, nor the pictures. He tells us in this letter that he has to learn the details from the European newspapers, which reach Constantinople three times in the week, by the way of Rumania, and that in all probability we know the conditions here better than they know them there. And he pathetically adds that “Turkey, I am sure, is one of the poorest countries in all the world.” Our European Christians, he declares, are quite safe, with the exception of one worker in the field from whom he has failed to hear. He also sends us a letter from Saloniki, by Brother L. Spicer, but inasmuch as this has already appeared in the Review and Herald, we will not publish it entire. He speaks of the enormous prices on account of scarcity of food. The city is filled with soldiers. The Greeks, he tells us, are manifesting great joy because of the return of Macedonia, which they consider their own. He had just learned when sending this that the Turkish army had been utterly defeated. He also speaks of meeting the remainder of the Turkish forces, half-starved, ragged, wet to the skin. “It has been raining for some days, and the soldiers have to spend night and day in their wet clothing.”

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