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Counsels for the Church
interest in the success and prosperity of his pupils, realizing that they
are God’s property, and that he must render an account for his influence
upon their minds and characters, then we shall have a school in which
[207]
angels will love to linger
Our church schools need teachers who have high moral qualities;
those who can be trusted; those who are sound in the faith and who
have tact and patience; those who walk with God and abstain from the
very appearance of evil.
To place over young children, teachers who are proud and unloving
is wicked. A teacher of this stamp will do great harm to those who are
rapidly developing character. If teachers are not submissive to God,
if they have no love for the children over whom they preside, or if
they show partiality for those who please their fancy, and manifest
indifference to those who are less attractive, or to those who are restless
and nervous, they should not be employed; for the result of their work
will be a loss of souls for Christ.
Teachers are needed, especially for the children, who are calm and
kind, manifesting forbearance and love for the very ones who most
need it
Unless the teacher realizes the need of prayer and humbles his
heart before God, he will lose the very essence of education
The importance of the teacher’s physical qualifications can hardly
be overestimated; for the more perfect his health, the more perfect will
be his labor. The mind cannot be clear to think and strong to act when
the physical powers are suffering the results of feebleness or disease.
The heart is impressed through the mind; but if, because of physical
inability, the mind loses its vigor, the channel to the higher feelings
and motives is to that extent obstructed, and the teacher is less able to
discriminate between right and wrong. When suffering the results of
ill health, it is not an easy matter to be patient and cheerful, or to act
with integrity and justice
339
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 93, 94
340
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 175, 176
341
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 231
342
Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 177