Unity in Discipline
247
the principles placed before them, the teacher does not feel that he has
a right to exercise authority
He Needs the Co-operation of Parents—The teacher should not
be left to carry the burden of his work alone. He needs the sympathy,
the kindness, the co-operation, and the love of every church member.
The parents should encourage the teacher by showing that they ap-
preciate his efforts. Never should they say or do anything that will
encourage insubordination in their children.
But I know that many parents do not co-operate with the teacher.
They do not foster in the home the good influence exerted in the school.
Instead of carrying out in the home the good influence exerted in the
school, they allow their children to do as they please, to go hither
and thither without restraint. And if the teacher exercises authority in
requiring obedience, the children carry to their parents an exaggerated,
distorted account of the way in which they have been dealt with. The
teacher may have done only that which it was his painful duty to do; but
the parents sympathize with their children, even though they are in the
wrong. And often those parents who themselves rule in anger are the
most unreasonable when their children are restrained and disciplined
in school
[325]
When parents justify the complaints of their children against the
authority and discipline of the school, they do not see that they are
increasing the demoralizing power which now prevails to such a fearful
extent. Every influence surrounding the youth needs to be on the right
side, for youthful depravity is increasing
Let Them Sustain the Faithful Teachers—Parents who have
never felt the care which they should feel for the souls of their children,
and who have never given them proper restraint and instruction, are the
very ones who manifest the most bitter opposition when their children
are restrained, reproved, or corrected at school. Some of these children
are a disgrace to the church and a disgrace to the name of Adventists
Let them [parents] teach their children to be true to God, true to
principle, and thus true to themselves and to all with whom they are
connected....
3
The Review and Herald, September 15, 1904
.
4
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 153, 154
.
5
Testimonies For The Church 5:112
.
6
Testimonies For The Church 5:51
.