scholar from wandering. The teacher need only say: Now, children, I am going to tell you a pretty story, and all eyes are forthwith fixed on him.
"In the present day, examples are more necessary than ever, because almost all the catechisms and manuals of religion now in use are written in a dry, concise style, with no other aim apparently than that of intellectual improvement. Thus unless the catechist weaves examples into the instruction given, the heart and the will remain untouched, and religious teaching becomes distasteful to children on account of its being so dull. The use of appropriate examples and illustrations is quite in accordance with Our Lord's method of teaching; we know that He constantly taught by parables.
"It must not, however, be forgotten that judgment is needed in the selection of examples. It is a mistake to make use of too many, and only suitable ones should be chosen. Non multa, sed multum. Let them be few, but good. For the young, none but the best are good enough.
"1. Therefore the narration of improbable occurrences or stories of a ludicrous and marvelous nature, such as are unfortunately met with in some collections of examples, should above all be avoided. Many of these books might be entitled warnings, not examples; since the examples are the very reverse of what they ought to be. In the pages of Holy Scripture a sufficient number of glorious miracles are recorded; it would be nothing short of folly to narrate puerile tales of supposed wonders, which only excite laughter and awaken doubt, and bring
