may compel the admiration of the mind, but unless it move the heart no man will practice it.  Jesus summed up his commands in “Love,” not “Know,” for He knew that loving meant God-like living.  It is significant that the fruitage of the Spirit appears in the feelings of “love, joy, peace,” before it can be manifest in the acts of “long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self control.”

This indissoluble relation between feeling and action gives deep meaning to the words of Dr. W.H.  Payne, “At least the half, and perhaps the better half of education consists in the formation of right feelings.”

The work of nurture in connection with the feelings is now apparent.  It must endeavor to develop right feelings in order to secure right actions and consequent strong character.  This development is secured through repeatedly arousing the feelings, and giving them expression in action until they are habitual.

1.  How may the Feelings be Aroused?  Passing by all the physiological and psychological processes involved, and using the term, feeling, as it is 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,
Heaven and earth are praising Thee,
    Oh Lord, most high.”

the result will be true reverence.

2.  Suggestion is a most effective way of conveying these impressions.