Crayon and Character: Truth Made Clear Through Eye and Ear | Page 6

the developing
picture.
Never apologize for the appearance of your drawing or of your ability
as an artist. Strive to present truth only. Truth needs no apology.
Do not draw in a sketchy manner. Determine on the place to begin your
drawing and then use a continuous, easy line, without lifting the chalk
from the paper, except when necessary to start in a new place.
~~Strive Only for Good.~~
The design of this book has been to present brief, impressive talks
which hold attention for from ten to twelve minutes. It is advisable
never to speak longer than this, especially when children form a part of
your audience and are the special object of your words. If you cease
speaking just when the audience wants to hear more, you will always
be assured of a hearing the next time. If you leave one single

wholesome thought with your audience you will have accomplished the
greatest good.
Avoid mannerisms. Cultivate an easy style of speaking and working.
Don't become discouraged if everything doesn't go to suit you. Your
audience is not a critical but a sympathetic one. All are striving to do
the Master's work, and the field you have undertaken will bring you the
interest and the kindliest co-operation of all who are working with but
one great object in view.
~~Recording Your Talks.~~
It is suggested that each talk, as you give it, be so marked in the book
as to indicate the time and place of its use, so you will avoid possible
repetition before the same audience months or years later.
~~A Word to Parents.~~
The same general principles of procedure as those here given are
suggested as the best method of using this book in the home. For the
very little children, the parent will find it well to enlarge the outlines
upon paper and tell the stories in such a way as can be understood best,
but for the boys or girls who are in the younger grades at school the
book describes a method of drawing which will delight and instruct
them. Of course, the parent will have to teach the method to the
children, as they will be incapable of understanding it from the printed
description. With this instruction will come the unfolding of the stories
of the book and their application. A child, when he sees a picture of a
face or a house or any other object, wants to know all about it--whose it
is, what it is or what it is for. This is true especially if it be a picture
which he is asked to draw for himself or which he sees drawn. This
enables the parent to give into expectant and waiting ears the great
truths of Christ as expressed in pictures which the child understands.
It is best, we believe; in instructing those who are old enough to do the
drawing themselves or watch the parent do it, to select paper of such a
size as can be used on a desk or table. Ordinary letter-size unruled
tablet paper is convenient to get and easily handled. Let the child

square off the page, under the parent's directions, and then let him do
his part in tracing the picture from the book. Doubtless, some of the
enlarged pictures will be "fearfully and wonderfully made," but it is a
start in a splendid direction--a start which may have its ending in the
happiness for which every parent longs and which cannot come unless
the children begin in childhood to become the companions of their
parents--companions who cannot be separated in later years by distance
or the disturbances of the earthly life.
~~A Final Word to Ministers.~~
Do not forget that there is no earthly or heavenly reason why a minister
should not have a blackboard or an easel on the pulpit platform or in
the prayer meeting room to help him keep his audiences awake while
he tries to drive truth home to heart and mind. It is every preacher's
duty to be interesting, and if this book and the blackboard, or the
equipment for chalk talk work, will help him to be so, then it is his
plain duty to buy the book and secure the chalk and easel and _"get
busy" being interesting_!
And there is one more thing: Don't forget you can do it--if you try!
And now, with these general instructions and observations, the book is
commended to the use of all who have the love of Christ in their hearts
and who, as faithful workers, may wish to add one more working tool
to those they have used so well.

THE TWO FACES --Our Thoughts. --Optimism.
"As a Man Thinketh in His Heart, So Is He"--A Lesson in Character
Building.
THE LESSON--That our thoughts determine