10
warfare against Satan, We cannot hope to
succeed in this struggle unless we learn and
use effectively the best methods. The most
powerful thing in all the world is God's
Holy Word, and we can be very grateful
that it is on our side in the conflict; but
still, even with this advantage in our favor,
we can be defeated. We must be alert,
on the watch for new and better ways of
teaching God's Word.
Visual Aids
The best and most up-to-date counsel on
methods to follow in presenting our mes-
sage to the world is found in the writings
of Mrs. E. G. White, Since this program
is on the use of visual aids, it will be in-
teresting to notice a few of the statements
she has written on the subject, found in the
book, Evangelism.
1. The Spirit of prophecy stresses the
fact that it was Christ's method to use
visual aids in His teachings.
“We should seek to follow more closely
the example of Christ, the great Shepherd,
as He wotked with His little company of
disciples, studying with them and with the
people the Old Testament Scriptures. As the
crowds that followed Him increased, when
He came to a favorable place, He would
speak to them, simplifying His discourses
by the use of parables and symbols.”—I4.,
p. 203.
2. Instruction is given that we should use
visual aids.
“Instruction has been given me clearly
and distinctly that charts should be used in
the presentation of truth. And these illus-
trations should be made still more impres-
sive by words showing the importance of
obedience.”—Ibid.
3. Visual aids are to be used more and
more as we approach the end.
“I am pleased with the manner in which
our brother [Elder S.] has used his inge-
nuity and tact in providing suitable illustra-
tions for the subjects presented—representa-
tions that have a convincing power. Such
methods will be used more and more in
this closing work.”—Id., p. 205.
4. Workers are to originate new devices.
“Let the workers for God manifest tact
and talent, and originate devices by which
to communicate light to those who are near
and to those who are afar off. . .. Time has
been lost, golden opportunities have been
unimproved, because men have lacked clear,
spiritual eyesight, and have not been wise
to plan and devise means and ways where-
by they might preoccupy the field before
the enemy had taken possession. —Id., p.
206.
For a more complete study from the Spirit
of prophecy on the use of visual aids, see
Evangelism, pp. 203-206.
THE CHURCH OFFICERS GAZETTE
Source and Use of Visual Aids
This is a day of visual education in both
the mental and the spiritual fields. It is
affirmed by modern educators that 80 per
cent of our information is received through
our eyes. This emphasizes the truthfulness
of the old Chinese proverb, “One picture
is worth a thousand words.” Every truly
progressive school or church is using many
and various devices in its instructional pro-
gram. Every Missionary Volunteer who is
true to the name is active in a great program
of spiritual education. He is anxious to
share his faith and he wants to use every
visual aid he can possibly find. This brings
him face to face with a threefold question:
1. Which ones shall I use? 2. Where can I
find them? 3. How shall I use them?
1. The best devices to use, generally
speaking, are the devices originated by the
one using them. They are fresh and new and
are used with greater effect by the teacher
or preacher than almost anything he can
buy ready-made. Of course no one should
atternpt to make original devices for visual
aids unless he possesses some artistic ability.
Never use ugly, carelessly constructed,
grotesque objects before an audience to il-
lustrate some lovely truth from the Word
of God. If a person is not sure that he has
artistic ability in making his own visual
aids, then let him secure them from some
company ot employ someone who has this
ability to prepare them for him.
There are many fine visual aids that are
being manufactured today. The most widely
used in this field is the projector with slides
or films. Then there are the flannelgraph,
shadow box, pictures, charts, blackboards,
and models. It is surprising how effective
some simple object can be in helping to
hold the attention of an audience and im-
pressing lessons on the minds of listeners,
Just take a stone, a piece of coal, some
seed, a loaf of bread, a bottle, a few sticks
of wood, some potatoes, flowers, a branch
off a tree, a lock, a key, a watch, a coin,
a piece of rope, a thread——just anything that
is appropriate—and at the right time dis-
September, 1049
play it and see what it does to all the folks
who are having a hard time trying to stay
awake,
2. Where can you find visual aids that
are manufactured? There are several com-
panies from which you can secure these
items. Almost every good-sized city has a
Sunday School supply and religious book
store. If they do not have pictures, models,
and flannelgraphs in stock, they can usually
order them for you. In case there is no such
store in your city, you may write to David
C. Cook Sunday School Supply Co., Elgin,
Hinois; or William H. Deitz Co., 103
Wabash Avenue, Chicago 3, Illinois; or De-
signed Products, 149 Harrison Street, Oak
Park, Illinois. These companies have many
very fine things that will help any Sabbath-
school teacher.
Throughout the years Seventh-day Ad-
ventists have been great users of stereopti-
cons and projectors. Although these are
of old usage, yet they still have their value
and are very effective when used properly.
The best place for us to secure stereopticons
and projectors is through the Purchasing
Department of the General Conference,
Takoma Park, Washington 12, D.C. Slides
and films are available from Mayse Studio,
P.O. Box 25, San Diego, California; World
Wide Bible Pictures, 1531 E. Wilson
Avenue, Glendale 6, California; A. FE
Prieger, 312 W. Louisiana Avenue, Tampa
3, Florida; and others,
In the past few years many of our success-
ful workers have been using animal cut-
outs in their studies on the prophecies of
Daniel and Revelation. These are new in
design and very effective. Some of them are
still available. They may be ordered from
Religious Arts, Box 368, Islip, New York.
3. How shall I use these visual aids? The
best thing to do is to get whatever you
plan to use and start using it. Practice on
members of your family or society first.
Ask for constructive criticism from those
whose judgment you value, Watch for the
way the audience responds to the visual
aid. Is it being used in the best way? Is it
a help or a hindrance? How can I improve
my methods so that it will be more effective
the next time I use it?
Never let your visual aid steal the show.
You have a message to give, and your de-
vice in teaching the lesson must not detract
from the lesson. It has been said that the
best speaking voice is never heard, so we
may say the best visual aid is never seen.
Visual aids must be simple and easily
operated or demonstrated. Anything that is
complicated, hard to operate, or is in danger
of not operating perfectly when you want
it, should be avoided. Be sure to rehearse