Character and Work of Teachers
The work done in our schools is not to be like that done in the
colleges and seminaries of the world. In the grand work of education,
instruction in the sciences is not to be of an inferior character, but
that knowledge must be considered of first importance which will fit
a people to stand in the great day of God’s preparation. Our schools
must be more like the schools of the prophets. They should be training
schools, where the students may be brought under the discipline of
Christ and learn of the Great Teacher. They should be family schools,
where every student will receive special help from his teachers as the
members of the family should receive help in the home. Tenderness,
sympathy, unity, and love are to be cherished. There should be un-
selfish, devoted, faithful teachers, teachers who are constrained by the
love of God and who, with hearts full of tenderness, will have a care
for the health and happiness of the students. It should be their aim to
advance the students in every essential branch of knowledge.
Wise teachers should be chosen for our schools, those who will feel
responsible to God to impress upon minds the necessity of knowing
Christ as a personal Saviour. From the highest to the lowest grade they
should show special care for the salvation of the students and through
personal effort seek to lead their feet into straight paths. They should
look with pity upon those who have been badly trained in childhood,
and seek to remedy defects, which, if retained, will greatly mar the
character. No one can do this work who has not first learned in the
school of Christ how to teach.
All who teach in our schools should have a close connection with
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God and a thorough understanding of His word, that they may be able
to bring divine wisdom and knowledge into the work of educating
the youth for usefulness in this life and for the future, immortal life.
They should be men and women who not only have a knowledge of
the truth, but who are doers of the word of God. “It is written” should
be expressed in their words and by their lives. By their own practice
they should teach simplicity and correct habits in everything. No man
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