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Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students
have been left to do as they pleased; others have been found fault
with and discouraged. Very little pleasantness and cheerfulness have
been shown them; few words of approval have been spoken to them.
They have inherited the defective characters of their parents, and the
discipline of the home has been no help in the formation of right
character. To place as teachers of these children and youth, young
men and women who have not developed a deep, earnest love for
God and for the souls for whom Christ has died, is to make a mistake
that may result in the loss of many souls. Those who easily become
impatient and irritated should not be educators.
Teachers should remember that they are not dealing with men
and women, but with children who have everything to learn. And
it is much more difficult for some to learn than for others. The dull
pupil needs much more encouragement than he receives. If there are
placed over these varied minds teachers who love to order and dictate
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and to magnify their authority, teachers who deal with partiality,
having favorites to whom they show preference, while others are
treated with exactitude and severity, confusion and insubordination
will result. Teachers who are not blessed with a pleasant, well-
balanced disposition may be placed in charge of children, but a great
wrong is done to those whom they educate.
A teacher may have sufficient education and knowledge in the
sciences to instruct, but has it been ascertained that he has tact and
wisdom to deal with human minds? If instructors have not the
love of Christ abiding in their hearts, they are not fit to bear the
grave responsibilities placed upon those who educate the youth.
Lacking the higher education themselves, they know not how to
deal with human minds. Their own insubordinate hearts are striving
for control; and to subject the plastic minds and characters of the
children to such discipline is to leave upon the mind scars and bruises
that will never be removed.
Inquire, teachers, you who are doing your work not only for time
but for eternity, Does the love of Christ constrain me as I deal with
the souls for whom He has given His life? Under His discipline
do old traits of character, not in conformity with the will of God,
pass away and qualities the opposite take their place? or am I, by
my unsanctified words and my impatience, my want of that wisdom
which is from above, confirming these youth in their perverse spirit?