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and manner of work. Lessons are to be given which will affect their
character and life work.
They should be taught that the gospel of Christ tolerates no spirit
of caste, that it gives no place to unkind judgment of others, which
tends directly to self-exaltation. The religion of Jesus never degrades
the receiver, nor makes him coarse and rough; nor does it make him
unkind in thought and feeling toward those for whom Christ died.
There is danger of attaching too much importance to the matter
of etiquette, and devoting much time to education upon the subject of
manner and form, that can never be of any great use to many youth.
Some are in danger of making the externals all-important, of over-
estimating the value of mere conventionalities. The results will not
warrant the expenditure of time and thought given to these matters.
Some who are trained to give much attention to these things, will mani-
fest little true respect or sympathy for anything, however excellent, that
in any way fails to meet their standard of conventionality. Anything
that would encourage ungenerous criticism, a disposition to notice and
expose every defect or error, is wrong. It fosters distrust and suspicion,
which are contrary to the character of Christ, and detrimental to the
mind thus exercised. Those who are engaged in this work, gradually
depart from the true spirit of Christianity. While the gospel constantly
sanctifies and ennobles the receiver, it will never lead us to cherish
selfish and exalted ideas of our own ability or merit in contrast with
that of others. It never nurtures pride and self-esteem. Every soul who
sees Christ as he is, will abase self. He will exalt the Saviour as the
“chiefest among ten thousand,” the One “altogether lovely.”
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The most essential, enduring education is that which will develop
the nobler qualities, which will encourage a spirit of universal kind-
liness, leading the youth to think no evil of any one lest they shall
misjudge motives and misinterpret words and actions. The time de-
voted to this kind of instruction will yield fruit to everlasting life.
The young people among us should be preparing to work for the
Master in the saving of souls for whom Christ died. Attention to
mere conventionalities, or even to mental and social improvement,
should be regarded as of secondary importance. These things have
their place in the formation of character, but we should remember
that the world is in gross darkness; irreligion, vice, and depravity
are steadily strengthening and increasing; every teacher should feel