Thoughts on Education
45
parents or teachers as to wholly rely upon them. He who seeks to have
the individuality of his scholars merged in his own, so that reason,
judgment, and conscience shall be subject to his control, assumes an
unwarranted and fearful responsibility. Those who train their pupils to
feel that the power lies in themselves to become men and women of
honor and usefulness, will be the most permanently successful. Their
work may not appear to the best advantage to careless observers, and
their labor may not be valued so highly as that of the instructor who
holds absolute control, but the after-life of the pupils will show the
results of the better plan of education.
Both parents and teachers are in danger of commanding and dictat-
ing too much, while they fail to come sufficiently into social relation
with their children or their scholars. They maintain too great a reserve,
and exercise their authority in a cold, unsympathizing manner, which
tends to repel instead of winning confidence and affection. If they
would oftener gather the children about them, and manifest an interest
in their work, and even in their sports, they would gain the love and
confidence of the little ones, and the lesson of respect and obedience
would be far more readily learned; for love is the best teacher. A
similar interest manifested for the youth will secure like results. The
young heart is quick to respond to the touch of sympathy.
Let it never be forgotten that the teacher must be what he desires
his pupils to become. Hence, his principles and habits should be con-
sidered as of greater importance than even his literary qualifications.
He should be a man who fears God, and feels the responsibility of His
work. He should understand the importance of physical, mental, and
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moral training, and should give due attention to each. He who would
control his pupils must first control himself. To gain their love, he
must show by look and word and act that his heart is filled with love
for them. At the same time, firmness and decision are indispensable in
the work of forming right habits, and developing noble characters.
Physical training should occupy an important place in every sys-
tem of education. It is the duty of parents and teachers to become
acquainted with the human organism and the laws by which it is gov-
erned, and so far as possible, to secure to their children and pupils
that greatest of all earthly blessings, “a sound mind in a sound body.”
Myriads of children die annually, and many more are left to drag out