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Our College
77
The Teacher’s Responsibility
There is a work to be done for every teacher in our college. Not
one is free from selfishness. If the moral and religious character
of the teachers were what it should be, a better influence would be
exerted upon the students. The teachers do not seek individually
to perform their own work with an eye single to the glory of God.
Instead of looking to Jesus and copying His life and character, they
look to self, and aim too much to meet a human standard.
I wish I could impress upon every teacher a full sense of his
responsibility for the influence which he exerts upon the young.
Satan is untiring in his efforts to secure the service of our youth.
With great care he is laying his snare for the inexperienced feet. The
people of God should jealously guard against his devices.
God is the embodiment of benevolence, mercy, and love. Those
who are truly connected with Him cannot be at variance with one
another. His Spirit ruling in the heart will create harmony, love, and
unity. The opposite of this is seen among the children of Satan. It
is his work to stir up envy, strife, and jealousy. In the name of my
Master I ask the professed followers of Christ, What fruit do you
bear?
In the system of instruction used in the common schools, the
most essential part of education is neglected—the religion of the
Bible. Education not only affects to a great degree the life of the
student in this world, but its influence extends to eternity. How
important, then, that the teachers be persons capable of exerting
a right influence! They should be men and women of religious
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experience, daily receiving divine light to impart to their pupils.
The Parents’ Part
But the teacher should not be expected to do the parents’ work.
There has been, with many parents, a fearful neglect of duty. Like
Eli, they fail to exercise proper restraint; and then they send their
undisciplined children to college, to receive the training which the
parents should have given them at home.
The teachers have a task which few appreciate. If they succeed in
reforming these wayward youth, they receive but little credit. If the