To Teachers
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of characters. Solid timbers have not been brought into the character
building. There is no more important work that can be done than the
educating and training of these youth and children. The teachers who
work in this part of the Lord’s vineyard need to learn first how to be
self-possessed, keeping their own temper and feelings under control,
in subjection to the Holy Spirit of God. They should give evidence
of having not a one-sided experience, but a well balanced mind, a
symmetrical character so that they can be trusted because they are
conscientious Christians, themselves under the chief Teacher, who has
said, “Learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find
rest unto your souls.” Then learning in Christ’s school daily they can
educate children and youth.
Self-cultured, self-controlled, under discipline in the school of
Christ, having a living connection with the great Teacher, they will
have an intelligent knowledge of practical religion; and keeping their
own souls in the love of God, they will know how to exercise the
grace of patience and Christlike forbearance. The patience, love, long
forbearance, and tender sympathies are called into activity. They will
discern that they have a most important field in the Lord’s vineyard
to cultivate. They must lift up their hearts unto God in sincere prayer,
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Be Thou my pattern, and then by beholding Jesus they will do the
work of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, “The Son can do nothing of Himself,
but what He seeth the Father do.” So with the sons and daughters of
God; they steadfastly and teachably look to Jesus, doing nothing in
their own way and after their own will and pleasure; but that which
they have, in the lessons of Christ, seen Him, their Pattern, do, they
do also. Thus they represent to the students under their instruction at
all times and upon all occasions the character of Jesus Christ. They
catch the bright rays of the Sun of Righteousness and reflect these
precious beams upon the children and youth whom they are educating.
The formation of correct habits is to leave its impress upon the mind
and characters of the children, that they may practice the right way.
It means much to bring these children under the direct influence of
the Spirit of God, training and disciplining them in the nurture and
admonition of the Lord. The formation of correct habits, the exhibition
of a right spirit, will call for earnest efforts in the name and strength
of Jesus. The instructor must persevere, giving line upon line, precept
upon precept, here a little and there a little, in all long-suffering and