Toward the close of a small tent effort a colporteur gave me the name of a family of seven who lived on the outskirts of town. They had attended none of the meetings, and at first there seemed to be no interest to fan into flame. Both Mr. and Mrs. Meeker were very busy trying to get their house finished before winter and providing for their flock of small children. When I called, I noticed a complete set of Bedtime Stories on the bookshelf. All five children were clean and well fed. It was evident that the mother's whole life was centered in these round-faced, smiling boys and girls.
"Do you like Bible Stories?" I asked the children. "How would you like for me to come next Saturday morning, and tell you a story? I'll even draw a picture to go with the story if you like." The youngsters were delighted, and their mother nodded an assent. She would probably be glad to get the children out from under foot for an hour, I thought to myself.
The next Sabbath I arrived with a large drawing board and a box of colored chalk. The children were waiting. Propping the board on the arms of a big chair, we began with the story of God and how He made the world. Each of the first four days of creation was illustrated by a simple drawing in color. The children watched wide-eyed, from twelve-year-old Peter to small Linda in her mother's lap. The hour flew by as with wings.
Of course, they wanted me to come again. The story was only half-finished ! "We can hardly wait," said eight-year-old Judy, jumping up and down. "Would you care if I brought Jacqueline over? She likes pictures too."
Jacqueline's bright face was present the next Sabbath morning, along with several other new ones. And on the living-room wall were all the pictures from the week before ! Even young Glenn knew on which day it was that God made the flowers and apple trees, and on which day He made the twinkling stars and the sun and the moon.
After a little drill we went on with the beautiful story of creation. Brightly colored fish appeared in the sea, and a great whale. Birds began to fly in the heavens. Then appeared all kinds of animals. The last picture showed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden at sunset. They were welcoming the first Sabbath which God had made for them to enjoy. "And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it ; because that in it He had rested from all His work which God created and made." It was the mother who read these words from the Bible. We noted that Adam and Eve worshiped God on the seventh day, and praised Him for making such a wonderful world in six days. They loved Him, and wanted to do as He asked, as all Christians should. "I love Jesus," piped up Judy. "I'm going to do everything He says for me to do." As far as I know, she has kept her word.
During the week I dropped in to see Mrs. Meeker for a few minutes. We had hardly begun to talk when the two older boys burst in from school. Ronald took the calendar down from the wall. "Look !" he exclaimed, pointing an excited finger. "Saturday is the seventh day, not Sunday at all !"
"Ya!" Peter broke in. "Looks like somebody's all mixed up. Doesn't God say for us to keep the seventh day in the Ten Commandments? That's Saturday !"
Here was my opportunity to suggest Bible studies, at least for the boys. But it was Mrs. Meeker who was the most anxious to learn. She explained that for several years she had been praying to find the true church. Studies she must have, not only once, but twice a week. Within a month her husband joined us in the evenings for projector studies. The whole family took part. "Everything is so clear," observed Mrs. Meeker. "I wish we had learned these things years ago."
In the meantime our little story hour had grown into a branch Sabbath school. It pleased the children to know that they had been learning about Jesus on God's holy day.
After the tent had been taken down, the evangelistic meetings were continued in a modest hall; and here the Sabbath school was established. Soon the membership increased to seventy and over. Little Jacqueline and the others came every Sabbath, and every Sabbath the children had to have their story illustration. The picture was always a prize to be taken home joyfully by the one who had brought the most friends.
Most of all, the children loved the stories Jesus told, which lend themselves beautifully to illustration in color. It was amazing how quickly these small boys and girls were able to grasp the spiritual application, whether of the true vine or the good Samaritan. The pictures were always simple, chalk being a more versatile medium than flannelgraph. Wild crags on a dark stormy night appeared upon the board in a few minutes for the setting of the story about the ninety and nine. The lost sheep was only a spot of white, half hidden by a huge rock. When at last the poor little bleating creature was found by the GoOd Shepherd, a sigh of relief could be heard all over the room. Every child raised his hand as a pledge to follow Jesus.
Many of the children came from homes in which there was no religious training. One little girl prayed earnestly that her daddy might give his heart to Jesus and stop drinking. He had been a drunkard for many years. Within a month there came an opportunity to hold regular Bible studies in that home. Her prayer was answered. Many of the boys and girls began telling their parents about the second coming of Jesus. Soon we noticed new faces in the Sunday night meetings, a result which led to openings for more studies.
During the following- year twenty-eight people followed their Lord in baptism, in spite of bitter opposition. Among them were Mr. and Mrs. Meeker and their two eldest sons.
Shortly after the Sabbath school was organized, the young assistant to the evangelist led out in Progressive Class work among the juniors. This gifted young man was also able to give chalk talks, having abandoned a career as a commercial artist to study for the ministry. Together we painted a large river scene for the new baptistry. His work contributed materially to the success of the evangelistic program.
A bible instructor need not be born with unusual artistic ability in order to use art in her work. One must ever remember that the eye-gate has far greater appeal than the ear-gate. It is said that children retain fifty per cent of what they see, and only ten percent of what they hear. Adults learn much the same way. No matter how crude, a few significant strokes on blackboard or paper have tremendous power to clarify a point in the lesson. The most difficult subjects can be made both simple and inspiring if the teacher will make little sketches as she goes along.
Anyone with average ability can learn to give chalk illustrations. Children will sit on the edge of their chairs gazing raptly upon even the crudest of drawings. People of all ages are fascinated by chalk talks.
Opportunities may be found in Sabbath school, in M.V. meetings, in sunshine bands, and in cottage meetings. As you gain proficiency, you may be asked to use your skill in larger gatherings.
A collection of good pictures will do much to enrich the series of studies given by a Bible instructor. A view of the hanging gardens of Babylon, a scene showing the encampment of the children of Israel before Mount Sinai, a picture of the high priest officiating on the Day of Atonement—all these will add interest and develop rich concepts. Suitable pictures may be gathered from a variety of sources: from worn-out books and old magazines, from art dealers, from Sunday school supply houses, or your own Book and Bible House. Tastefully mounted and kept on file, pictures will teach what a thousand words cannot do.
Music and art may be combined in illustrated hymn talks. The power of sacred melody to soften the heart for the wooing of the Holy Spirit is well known. When the setting of an inspired gospel song comes to life in view of the audience, the effect can be soul stirring. Lost souls have found peace in Christ as they watched Calvary "grow" before their eyes to the soft strains of "The Old Rugged Cross." The story of how a hymn came to be written will add interest. Chalk illustrations will often draw the unsaved to a service when nothing else can bring them. For this reason alone a Bible instructor with artistic gifts can make a real contribution to the evangelistic program.
What are the basic materials needed? A large smooth board comes first, size at least 24 by 36 inches. Plywood will do very well. The most economical paper to use is blank newsprint, which is light and tough, and takes chalk readily. The paper may be fastened to your board with clips or thumbtacks; or better still, a narrow strip of wood nailed across the top over twenty-five sheets or more will make of your board a huge tablet from which you can , tear sheets as they are used. The paper underneath forms a soft pad, pleasant to work upon.
Essential is a sturdy folding easel with four legs and a tray to hold the chalk. As you grow more professional, you may want an easel equipped with lights and a set of velvet curtains, which will set off your picture to advantage. Before a small group it is enough to have an ordinary easel which will hold your board steady, leaving your mind free to make every stroke count. Every stick of chalk should be laid at the right place on the tray to avoid fumbling for a certain color. A thoughtful artist will always work standing to one side.
Your crayons must be large. Lecturer's chalk, size I by i by 3 inches, may be obtained in most art stores or at the Balda Art Service, Oshkosh, Wisconsin. A chalk illustration is different from other pictures in that it is made to be viewed from a distance. Draw boldly with broad strokes. Avoid time-consuming detail. Choose simple subjects, for simplicity means power.
The emotional appeal may be heightened by the way color is used. Blue and green are cool, restful colors ; red and yellow suggest warmth and activity. For a cold snowy night, use plenty of strong blue and gray tones. A warm yellow light from a window shedding its rays upon the snow will make the outside weather seem colder by contrast. In a picture of the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace avoid blues almost entirely and use purple or black for the shadows. Of course, you will need plenty of yellow and red.
Distinct features, such as mou'ntains or clouds, will never be as bright in tone as the foreground. Often a bluish haze to suggest faraway hills and trees is sufficient. An ordinary blackboard eraser when cut in half is useful for blending background areas.
After deciding upon the subject for a hymn illustration, you need a great deal of practice until you can finish the whole picture in less than ten minutes. I remember one we presented, "The Beautiful Garden of Prayer," depicting a garden-gate and a riot of flowers on either side of a flagstone walk. The first drawing took more than two hours ; the one executed at the hall, less than eight minutes. Work on the picture and the music must end simultaneously, or the whole effect will be lost. Such rapid work is possible only by making every stroke count, with lightest colors first, and black accents last, to avoid smearing. Do not feel that you must cover every inch of your paper. You will be surprised to see what freshness and sparkle bits of white left between colors will give to your picture.
Further instruction in the fundamentals of art—color, design, perspective, and composition—may be found in any good book on the subject. Fun With a Pencil by Andrew Loomis is both entertaining and sound in principle. Some may find Crayon Talks by L. O. Brown very helpful (Revell, 1941, $1.50), and also the book by William Allen Bixler, How to Picture Hymns With Chalk (Balda Art Service, Oshkosh, Wisconsin). Another book, which is rather comprehensive and arranged for self-instruction, is Applied Art by Pedro J. Lemos (Pacific Press, 1933, $5).
We must always remember that no illustration, whether in children's work or in evangelistic meetings, must ever become an end in itself. The human instrument should be lost sight of. Only as hearts are touched by a message from above is art worthwhile. God is the Master Artist. Let us therefore use whatever abilities He has given us for His glory, ever lifting up the One altogether lovely, who alone can satisfy the deep longings which fill the human breast.
