The Field of a Church-School Teacher
By Lulu I. Tarbell
THE teacher in the church-school work has a wide field in which to work, wider than I think some of us realize,—a field in which many and varied opportunities exert an influence for good. School work should occupy the first place in importance; but it is doubtful if it should absorb all the teacher’s time and attention. The church, and the Sabbath-school each offer their important opportunities for work to the person who is willing to put forth a little effort to help if his assistance is needed, and this kind of person generally finds his work much appreciated. It matters not where the teacher’s work is located, whether in city, country, or town, his field for missionary work is to be found wherever he may be. If he fully senses the fact that “time is short,” and has a sincere burden for souls, he will endeavor to let no work of this nature go undone that he can possibly do without neglecting school work. “Direct your energies to the fitting of living stones for the building of God’s temple.” As we are to “be in the world, and yet not of the world,” our aim must necessarily be very different from the aim of the teacher in the worldly schools. What grander aim could we ask for than character building? Second only in importance to the chief aim is that of helping our pupils to fit and prepare themselves to engage in definite denominational work. As we see the many lines of work delayed on account of a lack of workers, and especially our own work,—church-schools not being able to open because there are no teachers,—it should cause us to use our influence to encourage the young men and young women of ability to enter our training-schools.