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Education
it is much more difficult for some to learn than for others. With the
dull pupil he should bear patiently, not censuring his ignorance, but
improving every opportunity to give him encouragement. With sensi-
tive, nervous pupils he should deal very tenderly. A sense of his own
imperfections should lead him constantly to manifest sympathy and
forbearance toward those who also are struggling with difficulties.
The Saviour’s rule—“As ye would that men should do to you, do
ye also to them likewise” (
Luke 6:31
)—should be the rule of all who
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undertake the training of children and youth. They are the younger
members of the Lord’s family, heirs with us of the grace of life. Christ’s
rule should be sacredly observed toward the dullest, the youngest, the
most blundering, and even toward the erring and rebellious.
This rule will lead the teacher to avoid, so far as possible, making
public the faults or errors of a pupil. He will seek to avoid giving
reproof or punishment in the presence of others. He will not expel
a student until every effort has been put forth for his reformation.
But when it becomes evident that the student is receiving no benefit
himself, while his defiance or disregard of authority tends to overthrow
the government of the school, and his influence is contaminating others,
then his expulsion becomes a necessity. Yet with many the disgrace
of public expulsion would lead to utter recklessness and ruin. In most
cases when removal is unavoidable, the matter need not be made
public. By counsel and co-operation with the parents, let the teacher
privately arrange for the student’s withdrawal.
In this time of special danger for the young, temptations surround
them on every hand; and while it is easy to drift, the strongest effort
is required in order to press against the current. Every school should
be a “city of refuge” for the tempted youth, a place where their follies
shall be dealt with patiently and wisely. Teachers who understand their
responsibilities will separate from their own hearts and lives everything
that would prevent them from dealing successfully with the willful
and disobedient. Love and tenderness, patience and self-control, will
at all times be the law of their speech. Mercy and compassion will
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be blended with justice. When it is necessary to give reproof, their
language will not be exaggerated, but humble. In gentleness they will
set before the wrongdoer his errors and help him to recover himself.
Every true teacher will feel that should he err at all, it is better to err
on the side of mercy than on the side of severity.