One of the strongest elements we should introduce into our stories for
children of all ages is that which calls forth love of beauty. And
the beauty should stand out, not only in the delineation of noble
qualities in our heroes and heroines, but in the beauty and strength
of language and form.

In this latter respect, the Bible stories are of such inestimable
value; all the greater because a child is familiar with the subject
and the stories gain fresh significance from the spoken or winged word
as compared with the mere reading. As to whether we should keep to
the actual text is a matter of individual experience. Professor R. G.
Moulton, whose interpretations of the Bible stories are so well known
both in England and America, does not always confine himself to the
actual text, but draws the dramatic elements together, rejecting what
seems to him to break the narrative, but introducing the actual
language where it is the most effective. Those who have heard him
will realize the success of his method.

There is one Bible story which can be told with scarcely any deviation
from the text, if only a few hints are given beforehand, and that is
the story of Nebuchadnezzar and the Golden Image. Thus, I think it
wise, if the children are to succeed in partially visualizing the
story, that they should have some idea of the dimensions of the Golden
Image as it would stand out in a vast plain. It might be well to
compare those dimension with some building with which the child is
familiar. In London, the matter is easy as the height will compare,
roughly speaking, with Westminster Abbey. The only change in text I
should adopt is to avoid the constant enumeration of the list of
rulers and the musical instruments. In doing this, I am aware that I