p. 28 | A Valuable and Practical Principle by J. S. Washburn

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Aug 6, 1908

A Valuable and Practical Principle

By J. S. Washburn

From experience the writer learned that the highest discipline and order as well as the greatest success and advancement in studies, was impossible without having the sympathies of all the students enlisted in making “our school” a real success.

I well remember, when principal of city schools in one of the Western towns, finding that, where the previous principal had practically been driven out by insubordinate pupils, and where nearly one half of the pupils were irregular or late in coming, a marvelous change was wrought by the application of this principle. The sympathies of the students were enlisted in making the school itself and the work of each one a real success. If any one was inclined to be insubordinate or disorderly, he soon found he had no sympathizers, but that he won the disapprobation of the entire school. This was the keenest punishment that he could suffer, and the most effective. In the second term taught in this school during a period of seven months, in the higher department there was only one case of tardiness during the entire time. The earnest, hard work and real success of some who had been inattentive and even insubordinate, was most encouraging. To enlist the sympathies and co-operation brings just what may be termed practically self-government, and is, I am certain, the key to successful discipline and advancement.

J. S. WASHBURN.