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Work of the Church School
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The Character of Church Schools and of Their Teachers
The character of the work done in our church schools should
be of the very highest order. Jesus Christ, the Restorer, is the only
remedy for a wrong education, and the lessons taught in His word
should ever be kept before the youth in the most attractive form. The
school discipline should supplement the home training, and both at
home and at school simplicity and godliness should be maintained.
Men and women will be found who have talent to work in these
small schools, but who cannot work to advantage in the larger ones.
As they practice the Bible lessons, they will themselves receive an
education of the highest value.
In selecting teachers, we should use every precaution, knowing
that this is as solemn a matter as the selecting of persons for the
ministry. Wise men who can discern character should make the
selection; for the very best talent that can be secured is needed to ed-
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ucate and mold the minds of the young, and to carry on successfully
the many lines of work that will need to be done by the teachers
in our church schools. No person of an inferior or narrow cast of
mind should be placed in charge of one of these schools. Do not
place over the children young, inexperienced teachers who have no
managing ability; for their efforts will tend to disorganization. Order
is heaven’s first law, and every school should in this respect be a
model of heaven.
To place over young children, teachers who are proud and unlov-
ing is wicked. A teacher of this stamp will do great harm to those
who are rapidly developing character. If teachers are not submis-
sive to God, if they have no love for the children over whom they
preside, or if they show partiality for those who please their fancy,
and manifest indifference to those who are less attractive, or to those
who are restless and nervous, they should not be employed; for the
result of their work will be a loss of souls for Christ.
Teachers are needed, especially for the children, who are calm
and kind, manifesting forbearance and love for the very ones who
most need it. Jesus loved the children.... He always treated them
with kindness and respect, and teachers are to follow His example.
They should have the true missionary spirit; for the children are to
be trained to become missionaries.