60
Counsels on Sabbath School Work
How is the teacher’s behavior? Is he punctual? Is he cleanly and neat?
This should have attention; for these qualities are essential in a teacher.
How can he enjoin these necessary acquirements upon the class unless
they have an example of punctuality, of neatness, composure, and
order? If the teacher is not in his place, and the class are left to amuse
themselves, and the teacher comes rushing in breathless, behind time,
the influence is leading to nonpunctuality and disorder.—
Testimonies
on Sabbath-School Work, 95, 96
.
Well-Balanced Minds, Symmetrical Characters
Well-balanced minds and symmetrical characters are required as
teachers in every line. Give not this work into the hands of young
women and young men who know not how to deal with human minds.
They know so little of the controlling power of grace upon their own
hearts and characters that they have to unlearn, and learn entirely new
lessons in Christian experience. They have never learned to keep their
own soul and character under discipline to Jesus Christ, and bring even
the thoughts into captivity to Jesus Christ.
There are all kinds of characters to deal with in the children and
youth.... Many of those children have not had proper training at home.
[93]
They have been sadly neglected. Some have been left to do as they
pleased; others have been found fault with and discouraged. But little
pleasantness and cheerfulness have been shown toward them, and
but few words of approval have been spoken to them. The defective
characters of the parents have been inherited, and the discipline given
by these defective characters has been objectionable in the formation
of characters. Solid timbers have not been brought into the character
building.
There is no more important work that can be done than the educat-
ing and training of these youth and children. The teachers who work
in this part of the Lord’s vineyard need to learn first how to be self-
possessed, keeping their own temper and feelings under control, in sub-
jection to the Holy Spirit of God. They should give evidence of having
not a one-sided experience, but a well-balanced mind, a symmetrical
character so that they can be trusted because they are conscientious
Christians, themselves under the chief Teacher.—
Fundamentals of
Christian Education, 266, 267
.