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With the Children in the School-Room

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 3, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 36.

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With the Children in the School-Room

By BERTHA LOFTSTAD

THE responsibility of the teacher in training the young is a great and sacred one; for much depends on habits formed in early years. Harsh, unkind words may leave upon the mind an impression never to be forgotten, while lack of discipline will result in an equal evil.
A difficult task is assigned the class. To one child it seems almost too difficult to accomplish, but she tries, and, as she thinks, fails. The class is called. One after another recites the lesson until her turn comes. No word is uttered, the little form trembles, the large eyes droop lower and lower, and, bursting into tears, she exclaims, “Mine wasn’t any good.” But a loving arm is thrown around her, and words of encouragement bring hope to the fainting heart, and finally the lesson is recited. Not for this lesson only was the hope instilled, but for lessons, even life’s lessons, to come.
“I can not study; I do not feel like it.” Shall we say, “All right,” and permit the habit of idleness to be formed? Of course, should there be a real cause, the lesson might be omitted; but when this is repeated as an excuse for not studying, the lesson must be exacted with a kind but firm command. The child bursts into tears, but duty must rise above pity, until, seeing he can not conquer, he goes to his lessons; and another lesson is learned.
There is trouble,—not a great trouble, for children’s troubles are not great, though to their little minds they seem so. Happy is the teacher who so wins the confidence of the children that these troubles will be brought to her. Calling them together in Bible class, the sweet lessons of forgiveness and of loving one another that our Saviour taught are told them, the little wrongs are forgotten, and they are happy again.
And so as the days pass, and the little minds are developed, we learn how to guide each child, and each one grows nearer and dearer to the teacher’s heart.
BERTHA LOFTSTAD.