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Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
Let teachers remember their own faults and mistakes, and strive
earnestly to be what they wish their students to become. In their
treatment of the youth let them be wise and pitiful. Let them not
forget that these youth are in need of wholesome, encouraging words
and helpful deeds. Teachers, treat your students as Christ’s children,
whom He wants you to help in every time of need. Make friends
of them. Give them practical evidence of your unselfish interest in
them. Help them over the rough places. Patiently, tenderly, strive
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to win them to Jesus. Eternity alone will reveal the results of such
effort.
* * * * *
More harm than good results from the practice of offering prizes
and rewards. By it the ambitious pupil is stimulated to greater effort.
Those whose mental powers are already too active for their physical
strength are urged on to grasp subjects too difficult for the young
mind. The examinations also are a trying ordeal for pupils of this
class. Many a promising student has suffered severe illness, perhaps
death, as the result of the effort and excitement of such occasions.
Parents and teachers should be on their guard against these dangers.
* * * * *
Attention to form and ceremony should not occupy time and
strength that rightfully belong to things more essential. Everything in
this age of corruption is perverted to display and outward appearance,
but this spirit should not find place in our schools. We should teach
Bible manners, purity of thought, strict integrity. This is valuable
instruction. If the teachers have the mind of Christ and are being
molded by the Holy Spirit, they will be kind, attentive, and truly
courteous. If they work as in the sight of heaven, they will be
Christian ladies and gentlemen. Their refined bearing will be a
constant object lesson to the students, who, though at first they may
be somewhat uncultured, will day by day be molded by its influence.
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For Further Study
Some op the Christian Teacher’s Needs
Education, 233-239, 253-261
.