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The Missionary Teacher

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jul 2, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 27.

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_The Missionary Teacher_

By NANNIE BLAKE

As our aim is to give “the gospel to all the world in this generation,” the question which comes from the teachers in our primary schools, as well as in the intermediate and advanced schools, is, In what way can we help most in forwarding this gospel? The teacher who, with the help of God, trains the child’s mind in such a way that he will have no other aim in life than to be a missionary, is, in the truest sense of the word, a missionary herself. But it is impossible to create this missionary spirit in the mind of the child unless it is first in the heart of the teacher. Circumstances make it impossible for many to do work in foreign lands, but the consecrated teacher has a wonderful opening for work in other lands through those whom she may instruct.
Education is the broad term which pertains not only to books, libraries, the state, the school, etc., but to all that makes for a true and noble development of character. Some one has truly said, “Our deeds determine us as much as we determine our deeds.” Each thought and act wears in the brain a groove which helps to shape the next thought and action; thus habit is formed, and character molded. The principles which control our pupils as children are those which will actuate them as men and women.
It will be most helpful to our pupils in creating a missionary spirit to have from time to time interesting missionary programs. As far as possible the pupils should make these original. This original work helps very much in creating definite knowledge and establishing those habits of thought which will lead directly to the life of the missionary. The more these pupils endeavor to explain the Word of God to others, the more their own souls are watered with the dew of God’s grace.
A teacher’s chief joy is imparting instruction to the little ones, and taking note of their growing faith, and the interest which they manifest in the exercises relating to actual missionary work. Earnest, prayerful work will surely yield an abundant harvest in the salvation of the souls of our pupils, and also the salvation of those for whom they may labor later. NANNIE BLAKE.