Chapter 22—The School and the Teacher
Awakening of Mental Powers—True education is not the forcing
of instruction on an unready and unreceptive mind. The mental powers
must be awakened, the interest aroused. For this, God’s method of
teaching provided. He who created the mind and ordained its laws,
provided for its development in accordance with them.
In the home and the sanctuary, through the things of nature and of
art, in labor and in festivity, in sacred building and memorial stone,
by methods and rites and symbols unnumbered, God gave to Israel
lessons illustrating His principles and preserving the memory of His
wonderful works. Then, as inquiry was made, the instruction given
impressed mind and heart.—
Education, 41
(1903).
Education to Impart Vitalizing Energy—It is not the highest
work of education to communicate knowledge merely, but to impart
that vitalizing energy which is received through the contact of mind
with mind and soul with soul. It is only life that can beget life.—
The
Desire of Ages, 250
(1898).
The Highest Development of Mental Powers—It is right for the
youth to feel that they must reach the highest development of their
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mental powers. We would not restrict the education to which God has
set no limit. But our attainments avail nothing if not put to use for
the honor of God and the good of humanity. It is not well to crowd
the mind with studies that require intense application but that are not
brought into use in practical life.—
The Ministry of Healing, 449,
450
(1905).
Dangers of Some Schools—Many youth come forth from institu-
tions of learning with morals debased and physical powers enfeebled,
with no knowledge of practical life and little strength to perform its
duties.
As I have seen these evils, I have inquired, Must our sons and
daughters become moral and physical weaklings in order to obtain an
education in the schools? This should not be; it need not be, if teachers
and students will but be true to the laws of nature, which are also the
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