Religion drawing closer to life.--This is the only method of religious education that will meet the requirements of these times upon the Christian religion. The unmistakable trend of modern Christianity is to connect religion more closely and vitally with life itself--to make it a _mode of living_ in a deeper sense than has obtained since the days of Christ upon earth. This is a very hopeful sign, for it accords completely with the spirit and message of Jesus. When he said, "By their fruit ye shall know them," what did he mean but that the quality and value of a man's religion is to be known by its outcome in, deeds and action? When he said, "Not everyone that saith. Lord! Lord! but he that doeth..."; and again, "He that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them...," was he not again emphasizing the great; truth that one's religion is tested only by the extent to which it is tied up with his daily living? The teacher will, therefore, say to himself, The religious knowledge I am putting into the minds of my pupils is of supreme importance--if it makes them live better and act more nobly; the religious attitudes and emotions I am cultivating in my class are full of value and significance--_if_ they cause their possessors to live more broadly, sympathetically, usefully, and happily. The true teacher will then add, And it is my task _to see that this result follows without fail!_ RELIGIOUS HABITS AS AN AIM Indirectly all this is to say that our first care in teaching the young child religion should be to lead him to form _religious habits_. For our lives are controlled by a great network of habits which come to us as the result of acts often repeated, until they have become as second nature. There are many things about the child's religion that should become second nature; that is, should become habit--and which are not certain and secure until they have grown into habits. For example, it is wholly desirable to have the habit of attending church, of personal devotions, and of resisting temptation, so well fixed that the acts required for each take care of themselves with a minimum of struggle and decision each time the occasion arises. Not only will this method require less strain and compulsion on our part, but it will result in more uniform churchgoing, attention to devotions, and the overcoming of temptation.