Academy and College Training
255
Parents to Sustain Teacher’s Authority—One of the greatest
difficulties with which teachers have had to contend is the failure
on the part of parents to co-operate in administering the discipline
of the college. If the parents would stand pledged to sustain the
authority of the teacher, much insubordination, vice, and profligacy
would be prevented. Parents should require their children to respect
and obey rightful authority. They should labor with unremitting care
and diligence to instruct, guide, and restrain their children, until right
habits are firmly established. With such training the youth would be
in subjection to the institutions of society and the general restraints of
moral obligation
It is not to be left to children to judge whether the discipline of the
college is reasonable or unreasonable. If the parents have confidence
[335]
enough in the teachers and in the system of education adopted by the
school to send their children to it, let them show good sense and moral
stamina and support the teacher in enforcing discipline....
Parents who are wise will feel very grateful that there are schools
where lawlessness of any kind will not be tolerated, and where children
will be trained to obedience rather than indulgence, and where good
influences will be brought to bear upon them.
There are some parents who purpose sending their demoralized
children to school because they are incorrigible at home. Will these
parents support the teachers in their work of discipline, or will they
stand ready to believe every false report
They Should Support School Discipline—Some parents who
have sent their children to-----have told them that if anything unrea-
sonable were required of them not to submit, whoever might require
it. What a lesson is this to give to children! In their inexperience how
can they judge between what is reasonable and unreasonable?
They may wish to be away at night, no one knows where, and if
required by teachers or guardians to give an account of themselves,
will call this unreasonable and an infringement on their rights. Their
independence must not be interfered with. What power can rules or
authority have upon these youth, while they consider any discipline an
unreasonable restriction of their liberty?
12
Testimonies For The Church 5:89
.
13
Manuscript 119, 1899
.