Where Is Thy Flock?

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Apr 1, 1909

Where Is Thy Flock?

THIS is a solemn question. It will be asked every teacher at the bar of God's judgment, and the flock is not to be considered as a whole either, but requirement will be made for an account of each individual. The good shepherd left ninety and nine, and went abroad in the darkness, searching for the one lost one.

The value of a soul — who can measure it? An eternity of bliss, or everlasting oblivion! Long and earnestly should our prayers follow the wayward one. Carefully and with diligence should we seek to lead him into the way of right. But it is quite impossible for us to succeed in this undertaking unless cordial relations are established between us and each one of our pupils. It takes time, it takes effort; yea, it often takes humiliation on our part to establish these relations. No child can best learn unless he loves his instructor, and has confidence in him. The very genius of the teacher's success is embodied in this cordial confidence.

But teachers are human, and make mistakes; and children are bright, and quite as likely to see error on the part of the teacher as the teacher is to see wrong in them. A wise teacher indeed is he who knows and remembers this, and who is ready to see his own errors and to acknowledge them. A frankly open and honest acknowledgment of wrong on his part does not lower the dignity of the teacher; but quite to the contrary, it lifts him in the estimation of his pupils; and above all, teaches them the value of the acknowledgment of wrong. So long as teachers and pupils are human and erring, just so long must each be ready plainly to acknowledge the wrong, and to do what he can to make it right. This open-hearted spirit on the part of teachers and pupils will certainly yield a reward. It is this spirit that enables the teacher to bear long with the erring pupil, and to go to great lengths to save him. With the spirit of Christ animating him, it is possible for each teacher to render a joyful account of his flock.