Discipline
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enjoyed only in obedience to the law of God. This law is the preserver
of true freedom and liberty. It points out and prohibits those things
that degrade and enslave, and thus to the obedient it affords protection
from the power of evil.
The psalmist says: “I will walk at liberty: for I seek Thy pre-
cepts.” “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors.”
Psalm 119:45, 24
.
In our efforts to correct evil, we should guard against a tendency
to faultfinding or censure. Continual censure bewilders, but does not
reform. With many minds, and often those of the finest susceptibility,
an atmosphere of unsympathetic criticism is fatal to effort. Flowers do
not unfold under the breath of a blighting wind.
A child frequently censured for some special fault, comes to regard
that fault as his peculiarity, something against which it is vain to strive.
Thus are created discouragement and hopelessness, often concealed
under an appearance of indifference or bravado.
The true object of reproof is gained only when the wrongdoer
himself is led to see his fault and his will is enlisted for its correc-
tion. When this is accomplished, point him to the source of pardon
and power. Seek to preserve his self-respect and to inspire him with
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courage and hope.
This work is the nicest, the most difficult, ever committed to human
beings. It requires the most delicate tact, the finest susceptibility, a
knowledge of human nature, and a heaven-born faith and patience,
willing to work and watch and wait. It is a work than which nothing
can be more important.
Those who desire to control others must first control themselves.
To deal passionately with a child or youth will only arouse his resent-
ment. When a parent or teacher becomes impatient and is in danger of
speaking unwisely, let him remain silent. There is wonderful power in
silence.
The teacher must expect to meet perverse dispositions and ob-
durate hearts. But in dealing with them he should never forget that
he himself was once a child, in need of discipline. Even now, with
all his advantages of ages, education, and experience, he often errs,
and is in need of mercy and forbearance. In training the youth he
should consider that he is dealing with those who have inclinations
to evil similar to his own. They have almost everything to learn, and