Chapter 1—Proper Education
It is the nicest work ever assumed by men and women to deal with
youthful minds. The greatest care should be taken in the education of
youth to so vary the manner of instruction as to call forth the high and
noble powers of the mind. Parents and school-teachers are certainly
disqualified to properly educate children, if they have not first learned
the lesson of self-control, patience, forbearance, gentleness, and love.
What an important position for parents, guardians, and teachers! There
are very few who realize the most essential wants of the mind, and how
to direct the developing intellect, the growing thoughts and feelings of
youth.
There is a time for training children and a time for educating
youth; and it is essential that in school both of these be combined
in a great degree. Children may be trained for the service of sin
or for the service of righteousness. The early education of youth
shapes their characters both in their secular and in their religious life.
Solomon says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when
he is old, he will not depart from it.” This language is positive. The
training which Solomon enjoins is to direct, educate, and develop. In
order for parents and teachers to do this work, they must themselves
understand “the way” the child should go. This embraces more than
merely having a knowledge of books. It takes in everything that is
good, virtuous, righteous, and holy. It comprehends the practice of
temperance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love to God and to one
another. In order to attain this object, the physical, mental, moral, and
religious education of children must have attention.
The education of children, at home or at school, should not be like
the training of dumb animals; for children have an intelligent will,
which should be directed to control all their powers. Dumb animals
need to be trained; for they have not reason and intellect. But the
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human mind must be taught self-control. It must be educated to rule
the human being, while animals are controlled by a master, and are
trained to be submissive to him. The master is mind, judgment, and
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