Promise and Performance by E. C. Jaeger

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

Promise and Performance

By E. C. Jaeger

TEACHERS ought not to indulge in effusiveness of promise. As we can not trust the mere doctrinaire in government administration, so the teacher of many unfulfilled promises can not be trusted in the administration of the schoolroom. Unfulfilled promises and good government never mix. The school sees inconsistency. Children have not yet reached the place where they are content with a complete divorce between promise and performance.

No man can be excused if he does not perform what he has promised, unless for the best and most sufficient reasons. There are times, of course, when matters or our views so change that it would be impossible or highly inadvisable that we should do what in good faith we had promised to do. In that case, an explanation can be made which will not only satisfy the school, but make the pupils admire their teacher for his regard for the right.

As with public official, so with the teacher. He must promise both to himself and to others only what can be performed. He must be far-sighted enough to know what he can perform, or else not make the promise. But what may consistently be promised for the pupils' good, for the pupils' good he must promise, and at all hazards make good.

E. C. JAEGER.