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Work of the Church School
145
The system of grading is sometimes a hindrance to the pupil’s
real progress. Some pupils are slow at first, and the teacher of these
youth needs to exercise great patience. But these pupils may after a
short time learn so rapidly as to astonish him. Others may appear to
be very brilliant, but time may show that they have blossomed too
suddenly. The system of confining children rigidly to grades is not
wise.
* * * * *
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.
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