Chapter 1—Proper Education
It is the nicest work ever assumed by men and women to deal with
youthful minds. The greatest care should be taken in the education of
youth to vary the manner of instruction so as to call forth the high and
noble powers of the mind. Parents and teachers of schools are certainly
disqualified to educate children properly, if they have not first learned
the lessons of self-control, patience, forbearance, gentleness, and love.
What an important position for parents, guardians, and teachers! There
are very few who realize the most essential wants of the mind, and how
to direct the developing intellect, the growing thoughts and feelings of
youth.
There is a period for training children, and a time for educating
youth. And it is essential that both of these be combined in a great
degree in the schools. Children may be trained for the service of sin or
for the service of righteousness. The early education of youth shapes
their character in this life, and in their religious life. Solomon says:
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will
not depart from it.” [
Proverbs 22:6
.] This language is positive. The
training which Solomon enjoins is to direct, educate, and develop. In
order for parents and teachers to do this work, they must themselves
understand the way the child should go. This embraces more than
merely having a knowledge of books. It takes in everything that is
good, virtuous, righteous, and holy. It comprehends the practice of
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temperance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love to God, and to
each other. In order to attain to this object, the physical, mental, moral,
and religious education of children must have attention.
In households and in schools the education of children should not
be like the training of dumb animals; for children have an intelligent
will, which should be directed to control all their powers. The dumb
animals need to be trained; for they have not reason and intellect. The
human mind must be taught self-control. It must be educated to rule
the human being, while the animal is controlled by the master. The
beast is trained to be submissive to his master. The master is mind,
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