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Christian Discipline
Dealing with human minds is the most delicate work ever en-
trusted to mortals, and teachers need constantly the help of the Spirit
of God, that they may do their work aright. Among the youth attend-
ing school will be found great diversity of character and education.
The teacher will meet with impulse, impatience, pride, selfishness,
undue self-esteem. Some of the youth have lived in an element of ar-
bitrary restraint and harshness, which has developed in them a spirit
of obstinacy and defiance. Others have been treated as pets, allowed
by overfond parents to follow their own inclinations. Defects have
been excused until the character is deformed.
To deal successfully with these different minds, the teacher needs
to exercise great tact and delicacy in management, as well as firmness
in government. Dislike and even contempt for proper regulations
will often be manifested. Some will exercise their ingenuity in
evading penalties, while others will display a reckless indifference
to the consequences of transgression. All this will call for patience
and forbearance and wisdom on the part of those entrusted with the
education of these youth.
The Student’s Part
Our schools have been established that in them the youth may
learn to obey God and His law, and become fitted for service. Rules
for the conduct of those who attend are necessary, and the students
should act in harmony with these regulations. No student should
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think that because he has been allowed to rule in the home he can
rule in the school. Suppose that this were allowed; how could the
youth be trained to be missionaries? Each student entering one of
our schools should place himself under discipline. Those who refuse
to obey the regulations should return to their homes.
The teachers are to bind the students to their hearts by the cords
of love and kindness and strict discipline. Love and kindness are
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