The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-05-13
Temper in Teaching.

Temper in Teaching.
Few persons seem 10 have proper
apprehensions Of the sacredness which
attaches 10 the instruction Of youth.
Hence many Of the errors OF teachers.
and hence, consequently, many OF the
mishaps and cntaslrophies of pupils.
Ysu have, | will suppose, under your
tnilion little boy, eight or nine years
Of age. ltis most interesting period
oflife, and the charge is one of the
most momentous nature. can con-
ceive Of few employments more de-
lighiful than the training Of such a
child, and there is certainly none which
is more responsible. Every touch you
give makes its mark, as the fingers on a
mass Of ductiIe wax. You scarcely say,
or do, or omit anything, without con-
trIbuling in some way or other, to
form the character Of your pupil. He
finds an example, for good or for evil,
in everything about you.
Let me direct attention to a single
particular, in which we are all apt TO 60
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 teacher.
He is stubborn, or forgetful, idle, or
hasty; these are great faults, but that
of the teacher who looses his temper,
is greater. Patience is a virtue which
is especially demanded in the work OF
instruction; but for this reason. above
all others, that impatlencc on the teach
er's part, disturbs in high degree the
process Of communicating moral truth.
lf:he teacher grow warm, especially i
he use reproachful words. the child will
suffer pain: some children very great
pain. II this be often repeated, an asso.
citation will be formed IN the mind OF
the child, which may render the pecu-
liar topic of instruction hateful for lie.
Icould here mention, if j, were proper
avery striking instance OF this. When
child is scoIded, or boxed, or laughed
at, scar IS sometimes left in his memo
nv; and to my mind, this is very seri
Gus thing. We are dealing with ma.
terial more precious than The diamond
and more lasting than the sun. We
are forming the tablet, on which may
be on one day, impressed the image OF
the glorious God. We are handling
that which is delicate as the rose leal,
Welding as clay, and yet more mighty
when trained, than all engines of pow
er. We are conversing with those
whose angels do always behold the face
of God. Let us treat them with sacred
awe. Let no word or tone betray any.
thing sinful for them to initiate. Re.
member the word of the Roman:-Re-
verenlia magma debetur pueris-Great
reverence is due TO the young. Re-
member the higher words of Christ:--
"Take heed lest ye offend (or cause to
stumble) one Of these little ones"
II am persuaded that much of our in
struc,ion goes for nothing just for want
Of temper. The motto Of the teacher
should be, LOVE is POWER. A loving
teacher will communicate twice as
much as another. And this is compalI.
ble with high measure of authority.
There are some who never rebuke n
child even for a small breach Of deco
fum, but in the Language and tone OF
bitter sneer or sarcasm. This IS like
burning the tendrils with red hot iron.
ltis an unlovely weapon with any age;
but when applied to shrinking, sensitive
childhood; it is barberous and cruel.
To make a child angry during his
lesson is 10 give him his food scalding
hot. Let the operation be repeated a
number Of times, and he will contract
a dislike for the teacher. and the teach
ings. Every unkind feeling thus en-.
gcndered in his little bosom, will 60 a
certain length towards fixing an evil
habit upon him. From such causes
human character receives its impress.
Ohow much holier a race would grow
up, IT, as teachers in all our dealings
with little ores, we bear in mind that
The Christian love Of our hearts should
Be operative. even in our earliest and
highest teaching Wrighfs Paper.
When YOU are disposed to be vain oI
your mental requirements, look up to