A little boy of five years of age said to his teacher, as they went out to walk one day, “Tell me a story. Please do tell me a story.”
As this was his daily request, the teacher said to him, “How can you expect me to have so many stories always? You know no matter how full a pitcher may be, if you are always drinking from it, it will be empty at last.”
The little boy understood her meaning very well, and quickly replied, “O, but you should put the pitcher under a spout.”
May not we all, who would teach “the little ones,” take lesson from the little boy, and remember that no human vessel can ever be a fountain in itself; the best filled vessel will become exhausted unless it be constantly refreshed from the Word of God. If we cannot, in the first instance, teach the love of God in Christ, without having tasted ourselves and seen, that Christ is precious; no more can we be the means of instructing, and refreshing others without daily drinking at the fountain of eternal love, and constant study of the Word of God. “He that watereth shall be watered also himself.” (Prov. 11:2525The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. (Proverbs 11:25)).
He who would teach others must love what he teaches, for its own sake; if he does so, there is reality in teaching. “Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto My knowledge. For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.” (Prov. 22:17, 1817Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. 18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. (Proverbs 22:17‑18)).