popularly understood, the law that governs its appearance may be stated
thus: "A feeling is occasioned by the touch of an impression upon the
soul." With older people, these impressions may come from without or
from a thought within, but with little children they come almost
entirely from without. The sort of feeling aroused will evidently depend
upon the sort of impression that comes, as well as the condition of the
soul that receives it. This difference in conditions, or difference in
lives as we ordinarily say, explains why the Sunday School lesson has
such varied effects in the same class, or even upon the same child at
different times.

Keeping in mind the law that some impression must precede a feeling,
true nurture asks, "In what way can these impressions best be given,
that desired feelings may be aroused?"

1. They are not given through command.

Common sense would recognize the absurdity of attempting to awaken
anger by saying to a group of happy children, "Be angry." But why is
the absurdity not equally apparent in saying, "Be loving," "Be sorry,"
"Be reverent?" Yet this is a method on which countless teachers and
parents place their dependence. Suppose, for instance, reverence be the
feeling desired; a thought of God's greatness and power and holiness
must be given. If, to the sensitive soul of the child, the teacher bring
the story of Sinai, or the story of Majestic Power as it is set forth in
the 104th Psalm, or the glory of the Heavenly throne with the adoring
multitudes, following with the words, softly sung,

"Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of Thee,