Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-08-27
From the Mothers Magazine.
PATIENCE IN TEMPER AND TEACHING

PATIENCE IN TEMPER AND TEACHING.
We are all learners here on earth. We are
all in process of training for another world
for higher and nobler and unchanging eXis-
tence in future state This fact invests the
children, especially their moral and religious
instruction, with great importance. And with
this view, it would have a salutary influence
on every parent and every teacher to reflect in
his daily intercourse with his children or pu-
pils-Now let me remember, | am training
and educating these young minds for an i'm
mortal existence of happiness or wretchedness
in future world.
Few persons seem to have proper appre-
tensions of the sacredness which attaches to
the instruction of'youth. Hence many of the
neglects, and many of the errors of teachers
and hence. consequently, many of the mishaps
and catastrophes of pupils.
You have, | will suppose, under your tuition,
little boy, eight or nine years of age. 1t is a
most interesting period of life, and the charge
is one of the most momentous nature I can
conceive of few employments more delightful
than the training of such child, and there is
certainly none which is more responsible
Every touch you give makes its mark, as the
fingers on mass of ductiie wax. You can
scarcely say, or do, or omit anything, without
contributing, in some way or other, to form
the character of your pupil. lie finds an ex-
ample, for good or for evil, in everything a.
bout you.
Let me direct attention to a single particu-
lar, in which we are all apt to go wrong
mean the temper which we manifest in the
company of our pupils. Almost every child
has some trait which tries the temper of the
forrraffDl Ia ~
hasty these are great faults, but that of the
thence is virtue which is especially deman-
ded in the work of instruction but for this
reason, above all others, that all Impotence on
the teachers part disturbs, in a high degree
the process of communicating moral truth. II
the teacher grow warm, especially if he use
reproachful words, the child will suffer pain
be often repeated, an association will be form
ed in the mind of the child, which may render
the particular topic of instruction hateful fol
life could mention, if it were proper, We.
~ striking instance of this. When the child
is scolded, or boxed, or laughed at, scar Is
sometimes left in his memory; and to my
mind, that is very serious thing. We are
dealing with material more precious than the
diamond, and more lasting than the sun. We
are forming a tablet, on which may be one day
impressed the image of the glorious God. We
are handling that which is delicate as the rose
leaf, yielding as clay and yet more mighty
when trained, than all engines of power. We
are conversing with those whose angels do al
ways behold the face Of God. Let US trea
them with sacred awe. Let no word or tone
betray anything sinful for them to initiate
Remember the words of the Roman: ReUeren
tia magma dsbct,sr pueris-Great reverence is
due to the young Remember the higher
words of Christ . Take heed lest We offend
(or cause to stumble) one OF these little ones
am persuaded that much of our instruction
goes for nothing, just for want of temper
| The motto of the teacher should be, LOVE Il
POWER. A loving teacher will communicate
twice as much as another. And this gentle
ness is compatible with high measure of au
| thority There are some who never rebuk'
child. even for slight breach of decorum
but in the language of bitter sheer and sar
casm This is like burning the tendrils will
a red hot iron. 1t is an unlovely weapon will
any age; but when applied 10 shrinking, sen
| sitiye children, it IS balharous and cruel