Another fact which emphasizes the opportunity this period presents is that at some time during these years, usually toward the end of the period, comes the first great age of spiritual awakening, when the child may be expected to become conscious of his relationship to Christ, and proclaim his newly realized loyalty. In the eyes of the church the child is a member of the kingdom of heaven. It now becomes the duty of the church “to see that the child does not lose his spiritual inheritance; that he is kept in the kingdom and so trained that at the time when he becomes fully conscious of his relationship to the Divine, he will choose to claim his inheritance as a child of God and lead the life for which it calls.” It is sometimes said that Junior children are “trying,” and this is absolutely true. Each class tries its teacher, not because the children wish to be aggravating, but because it is ordained that they shall gain their knowledge and experience by testing each new situation in which they find themselves, and each new person with whom they are brought into close contact. What they are seeking is reality, and they will experiment until they find out what is true about their teacher. They are not endeavoring to get their own way, though that may often seem to be the case. They never like a teacher who is weak and vacillating, but if in the testing process they discover a teacher who knows what he tries to teach, who is firm and kind, impartial, just, and loving, they will yield to that teacher the truest respect, admiration, loyalty, and affection. The Junior teacher should rejoice in the opportunity that his task affords. There is no other time in the life of a Sunday-school pupil when such a ready response will be made to the right influence, example, and instruction. GUIDES FOR STUDY AND TEACHING The Teacher’s Text Book Two text books are provided with the lessons—one for the teacher and one for the pupil. In the teacher’s book it has been the aim to give as much material for the individual study of the lesson as is possible within the prescribed limits of the book. Bible passages that throw light either upon the truth to be taught or upon the meaning of the lesson story have been carefully selected. The quotations from the commentators will also be found valuable. The plan of study that will bring the best results to any teacher using this book is first to read carefully the lesson passage and any history intervening between the lesson and the preceding one, to study what is said by the commentators and the Bible references that are given, and to glance over the suggestions under Lesson Preparation.