20
Christian Education
constantly lead educators to cherish feelings of tender sympathy and
forbearance for those who are struggling with the same difficulties.
They may help their students, not by overlooking their defects, but by
faithfully correcting wrong in such a manner that the one reproved
shall be bound still closer to the teacher’s heart.
God has linked old and young together by the law of mutual de-
pendence. The educators of youth should feel an unselfish interest
for the lambs of the flock, as Christ has given us an example in his
life. There is too little pitying tenderness, and too much of the un-
bending dignity of the stern judge. Exact and impartial justice should
be given to all, for the religion of Christ demands this; but it should
ever be remembered that firmness and justice have a sister which is
mercy. To stand aloof from the students, to treat them indifferently, to
be unapproachable, harsh, and censorious, is contrary to the spirit of
Christ.
We need individually to open our hearts to the love of God, to
overcome selfishness and harshness, and to let Jesus in to take pos-
session of the soul. The educator of youth will do well to remember
that with all his advantages of age, education, and experience, he is
not yet a perfect overcomer; he is himself erring, and makes many
failures. As Christ deals with him, he should endeavor to deal with
the youth under his care, who have had fewer advantages, and less
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favorable surroundings than he himself has enjoyed. Christ has borne
with the erring through all their manifest perversity and rebellion. His
love for the sinner does not grow cold, his efforts do not cease, and
he does not give him up to the buffeting of Satan. He has stood with
open arms to welcome again the erring, the rebellious, and even the
apostate. By precept and example, teachers should represent Christ in
the education and training of youth; and in the day of Judgment they
will not be put to shame by meeting their students, and the history of
their management of them.
Again and again has the educator of youth carried into the school-
room the shadow of darkness which has been gathering upon his
soul. He has been overtaxed, and is nervous; or dyspepsia has colored
everything a gloomy hue. He enters the school-room with quivering
nerve and irritated stomach. Nothing seems to be done to please him,
he thinks that his scholars are bent upon showing him disrespect, and