Discipline by Lottie E. Farrell

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 6, 1907

Discipline

By Lottie E. Farrell

WEBSTER defines discipline as follows: (1) the treatment suited to a disciple, or learner; (2) development of the faculties by instruction and exercise; (3) training to act in accordance with established rules or laws.

To discipline, then, is so to educate or train that there will be a harmonious development of the physical, mental, and spiritual powers in the disciple, or learner, that will cause him to walk in the ways of God.

The only perfectly disciplined life of which we have any record is that of our Saviour. We find that his early years were spent in useful work, the study of the works and Word of God, and communion with him in prayer. We read that “in his industrious life there were no idle moments to invite temptation.” Satan finds it impossible to ensnare the soul whose every energy is employed in service for God.

Applying these principles to the school-room, we shall find the daily program so arranged that the spiritual, mental, and physical development of each child goes on harmoniously. The periods for mental work will not be too long, and will be followed by industrial work, which will be a pleasing and helpful change to the pupil, leading him to love to work with his hands. Where this plan is successfully carried out, there will be very little cause for insubordination, and this part of discipline will not be such a perplexing question as it has been in the past.

But such cases will arise; and how shall they be met? We are told that the greatest wrong we can do a pupil is to allow him to become fastened in the bondage of an evil habit. The first thing, then, is to enlist his will for the correction of the evil. Just how this may be done will depend upon the disposition of the child; and the teacher, having studied the disposition of his pupils, will be able, with the help of the Lord, to know how it may be done. But it should be made plain that the government of God knows no compromise with evil, and for this reason disobedience can not be tolerated in the school. Always remember that if we as teachers have the well-being of our pupils at heart, we shall not compromise with wrong-doing. It might seem the easier way sometimes, but when we remember that their eternal happiness is at stake in the decisions made, it assumes another aspect. The Lord has said that “it is not love, but sentimentalism that palters with wrong-doing, seeks by coaxing or bribes to secure compliance, and finally accepts some substitute in the place of the thing

required.” Then let us so labor in all matters of discipline that the children may be fitted to dwell with the redeemed throughout eternity.

LOTTIE E. FARRELL.