Discipline
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of a dumb animal. The beast is taught only submission to its master.
For the beast, the master is mind, judgment, and will. This method,
sometimes employed in the training of children, makes them little
more than automatons. Mind, will, conscience, are under the control
of another. It is not God’s purpose that any mind should be thus
dominated. Those who weaken or destroy individuality assume a
responsibility that can result only in evil. While under authority, the
children may appear like well-drilled soldiers; but when the control
ceases, the character will be found to lack strength and steadfastness.
Having never learned to govern himself, the youth recognizes no
restraint except the requirement of parents or teacher. This removed,
he knows not how to use his liberty, and often gives himself up to
indulgence that proves his ruin.
Since the surrender of the will is so much more difficult for some
pupils than for others, the teacher should make obedience to his re-
quirements as easy as possible. The will should be guided and molded,
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but not ignored or crushed. Save the strength of the will; in the battle
of life it will be needed.
Every child should understand the true force of the will. He should
be led to see how great is the responsibility involved in this gift. The
will is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision,
or choice. Every human being possessed of reason has power to choose
the right. In every experience of life, God’s word to us is, “Choose you
this day whom ye will serve.”
Joshua 24:15
. Everyone may place his
will on the side of the will of God, may choose to obey Him, and by
thus linking himself with divine agencies, he may stand where nothing
can force him to do evil. In every youth, every child, lies the power,
by the help of God, to form a character of integrity and to live a life of
usefulness.
The parent or teacher who by such instruction trains the child to
self-control will be the most useful and permanently successful. To the
superficial observer his work may not appear to the best advantage; it
may not be valued so highly as that of the one who holds the mind and
will of the child under absolute authority; but after years will show the
result of the better method of training.
The wise educator, in dealing with his pupils, will seek to encour-
age confidence and to strengthen the sense of honor. Children and
youth are benefited by being trusted. Many, even of the little children,