The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1874-12-10
THE STANDARD.
From the National Normal
Christ and the Stupid.

Christ's entire work was that of
teacher, and as in every character which
he assumed he placed himself at the
worst disadvantage, so did he in his role
of teacher His subject was the most
difficult and abstract. His pupils, the
twelve apostles, were singularly stupid.
Did ever a teacher meet with more
discouraging ignoramus than was Philip
when he doggedly commanded Jesus:
Lord, shew us the Father and it suf
hceth usY Christ had been laboring
with infinite patience during his whole
ministry to impress upon the slow minds
OF his disciples the truth stated, for the
thousandth time in his reply to this des-
perately stupid Philip: He that hath
seen me hath seen the Father. And now
at the very close of his course of instruc-
ton, a good natured, listless, pupil gives
positive evidence that he has not taken
in and eomprehended this the first letter
of the alphabet of his instruction.
How have you felt teacher, when, at
the close of your terms work, hoping,
feeling, that your labor has not been in
vain, especially with that stupid boy who
has been your particular burden and
anxiety, an examination discloses the
discouraging fact that the very point
which you had enforced the most pa
tiently and persistently is utterly mis-
construed, and perhaps, totally per
Verted?
How have you felt when, after pa
tient preliminary drill upon some new
subject about to be studied by your class,
you discover from question asked by
the one for whom particularly you gave
the drill that your effort to clear up the
difficulty has altogether failed?
How many little things annoy men s.
souls The most ordinary heroes are
those of extraordinary circumstances.
The most extraordinary heroes are those
OF ordinary circumstances, and who are
never published They are the heroes of
the school-room, of the nursery, of the
homes. This heroism is that of the true
teacher and is exhibited fifty times a day;
that of the mother and is hourly; that
of the good neighbor and is the usual not
the unusual.
This is the heroism of the teacher who
is patient when commanding general
would be petulant, of him who gives
smile when a Leonidas would draw
sword, of him who offers cup of water
when Cesar would pass by on the other
side.
The heroic feature of this heroism is,
it is never to be trumpeted far and wide.
1t is never even to be recognized, except
ing in Eternity.
1nlS was Ine nerOlSm OF Cnflst VINO
was Nazarene among Nazarenes. This
was the heroism which he exhibited in
that last touching hour when his instruc-
tions were to appear SO fruitless. No
teacher will close school under more dis
graceful circumstances than did Christ
His special point was love, and yet his
disciples deserted him, and the one that
professed most to love him cursed him
the loudest in the dark hour
The experience of Christ is likely to be
that of the true teacher to-day. Genu-
inely love your pupils and save them
from their lower selves, and, if you are to
be tested, they will prefer another one
to yourself For your love you may re-
ceive hate. For your integrity you may
get condemnation and curses.