12
Fundamentals of Christian Education
valued as highly as are those of the teacher who holds the minds and
wills of his scholars by absolute authority; but the future lives of the
pupils will show the fruits of the better plan of education.
There is danger of both parents and teachers commanding and
dictating too much, while they fail to come sufficiently into social
relation with their children or scholars. They often hold themselves too
much reserved, and exercise their authority in a cold, unsympathizing
manner which cannot win the hearts of their children and pupils. If
they would gather the children close to them, and show that they love
them, and would manifest an interest in all their efforts, and even
in their sports, sometimes even being a child among children, they
would make the children very happy, and would gain their love and
win their confidence. And the children would sooner respect and love
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the authority of their parents and teachers.
The habits and principles of a teacher should be considered of even
greater importance than his literary qualifications. If he is a sincere
Christian, he will feel the necessity of having an equal interest in the
physical, mental, moral, and spiritual education of his scholars. In
order to exert the right influence, he should have perfect control over
himself, and his own heart should be richly imbued with love for his
pupils, which will be seen in his looks, words, and acts. He should
have firmness of character, and then he can mold the minds of his
pupils, as well as instruct them in the sciences. The early education of
youth generally shapes their characters for life. Those who deal with
the young should be very careful to call out the qualities of the mind,
that they may better know how to direct its power so that they may be
exercised to the very best account.
Close Confinement at School
The system of education carried out for generations back has been
destructive to health and even life itself. Many young children have
passed five hours each day in schoolrooms not properly ventilated,
nor sufficiently large for the healthful accommodation of the scholars.
The air of such rooms soon becomes poison to the lungs that inhale it.
Little children, whose limbs and muscles are not strong, and whose
brains are undeveloped, have been kept confined indoors to their injury.
Many have but a slight hold on life to begin with. Confinement in