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Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
Dealing With Students as Individuals
The teacher should carefully study the disposition and character
of his pupils, that he may adapt his teaching to their peculiar needs.
He has a garden to tend, in which are plants differing widely in
nature, form, and development. A few may appear beautiful and
symmetrical, but many have become dwarfed and misshapen by
neglect. Those to whom was committed the care of these plants
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left them to the mercy of circumstances, and now the difficulties of
correct cultivation are increased tenfold.
Harmonious Development
No one branch of study should receive special attention to the
neglect of others equally important. Some teachers devote much
time to a favorite branch, drilling students upon every point, and
praising them for their progress, while in other essential studies
these students may be deficient. Such instructors are doing their
pupils a great wrong. They are depriving them of that harmonious
development of the mental powers which they should have, as well
as of knowledge which they sorely need.
In these matters, teachers are too often controlled by ambitious
and selfish motives. While they labor with no higher object, they
cannot inspire their pupils with noble desires or purposes. The
keen, active minds of the youth are quick to detect every defect of
character, and they will copy defects far more readily than they will
the graces of the Holy Spirit.
The Power of a Happy Disposition
Continual association with inferiors in age and mental training
tends to make the teacher tenacious of his rights and opinions, and
leads him to guard jealously his position and dignity. Such a spirit
is opposed to the meekness and humility of Christ. A neglect to
cherish these graces hinders advancement in the divine life. Many
thus build barriers between themselves and Jesus, so that His love
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cannot flow into their hearts, and then they complain that they do
not see the Sun of Righteousness. Let them forget self and live for
Jesus, and the light of heaven will bring gladness to their souls.