Consecration of Teachers
79
The Teacher’s Example
The one who shall accept the responsibility of teacher, if not fully
qualified, if he senses the responsibility of his position, will do his
utmost to learn. He will cultivate reverence, cheerfulness, and firmness.
Let the deportment be of that character that your class will be educated
to have solemn thoughts and reverence toward God. While the ideas
may be presented in simplicity, the language, when speaking of God,
of Christ, His sufferings, His resurrection, as realities to you, should
carry the minds up high above earthly things, and make them feel that
they are in the presence of the Infinite One. The Sabbath-school is
no place for that class who skim the surface, who talk fluently and in
a spirit of levity of eternal, testing truths, which are higher than the
heavens and broader than the worlds. The behavior of a class will
represent the character of a teacher in the example which they have
before them. If they are rude, and continue so, if irreverent, then there
is a cause, and the matter needs to be thoroughly probed. The teacher
may have reverence and yet be cheerful. And in the place of flippancy
[97]
of manner, he should be a searcher for the deep things of God. Any
affectation will not be natural. Let the class receive the impression
that religion is a reality, that it is desirable; for it brings peace and
rest and happiness. Let not your class receive the impression that a
cold, unsympathetic character is religion. Let the peace and glory of
Christ’s presence within make the face speak His love, the lips utter
thankfulness and praise.
Those who are in the habit of communing with God will have His
light reflected in the countenance. Children hate the gloom of clouds
and sadness. Their hearts respond to brightness, to cheerfulness, to
love. While a teacher should be firm and decided, he should not be
stern, exacting, and dictatorial. A dignified authority is required in the
teacher, else he lacks that ability which will make him a successful
teacher. The children are quick to discern any weakness or defect of
character in the teacher. The deportment is making its impression.
The words which you utter will not give them the right mould unless
they see in your character the model. A correct Christian character
exemplified in the daily life will do a great work in the character-
building of your class, more, far more, than all your teachings and
oft-repeated lessons. God has so related us individually to the great