[Sidenote: _Sympathy; Forbearance_]
The teacher must expect to meet perverse dispositions and obdurate
hearts. But in dealing with them he should never forget that he himself
was once a child, in need of discipline. Even now, with all his
advantages of age, education, and experience, he often errs, and is in
need of mercy and forbearance. In training the youth he should consider
that he is dealing with those who have inclinations to evil similar to
his own. They have almost everything to learn, and 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 sensitive, 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.
[Sidenote: _The Saviour’s Rule_]
The Saviour’s rule,—“As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also
to them likewise,”[411]—should be the rule of all who 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.
[Sidenote: _Public Discipline_]
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 re-formation. 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.
[Sidenote: _Justice; Compassion_]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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