The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1908-11-05
HELPFUL SPURS.

steed Is, IL we keep MIN SotnS NJ
good strong gait Tor many days. he
Till finally begin 10 lag and will have
10 be touched up. Who shall spur the
district teacher when he begins 10
tag7 There Is no principal to keep
an eve on him. as In the case OF the
city teacher. The Country 6upertn-
tendent with his one visit a year Is
loo remote; we can take many a nap
without his catching us. The school
directors pay little II any attention.
and would hardly dare prod us II they
knew we needed It. Our patrons will
not spur us. Evidently we must spur
ourselves on. Whatever squirting we
get must be seif-inflicted. The at
tention Ia called to list OF spurs.
Spur One.-Cornt the days. The
psalmist said, $50 teach US to number
our days that we may apply cur
hearts unto wisdom" At the begin
ming OF the term. we make our plans
as large as possible and as the days
go by we shall find the time all too
short to accomplish what we desire.
Also as we become acquainted with
our pupils, we discover their needs
and add to our original plans. We
need now every single day, used TO
the utmost, In order to do the work
that is pressing to be done. II cur
term is six months. we have one hun
dred and twenty days. AS one after
another slips away. we should count
jealously thoce that remain and part
with each one as reluctantly rs a
miser parts from HIS dollars.
Spur Two.-Measure what remains
by what has been done. In reviewing
the past. we can zee how many
difficulties we're encountered that
had not been forcseen. Various I'M
expected hindrances impeded our pro-
gress. We may count upon It that
such will be the case to the end. A
certain man was adjudged insane be-
cause he supposed he could build q
house for what the contractors told
him II would cost. So we must meas
sufe the future. not by what we can
see, but Ivy the experiences OF the
past. Doing this We shall readily
conclude that we have no time to
waste
: Spur Threes-For the sake OF ny
pupils must not relax my viligsnce.
They must take me as their pattern
4 am their example. cannot expect
them to do more than they see me
doing. II I urge them to be diligent.
4 must be diligent. II would have
them increase their interest. ! must
not lose mine. Thiz should be very
keen and effective spur.
Spur Four-Drty to others. I owe
1T to my parents who love me. to my
teachers who instructed me. to those
who recommended me. to the
directors who employed me. to my
patrons woo have intrusted their chill
drel to my care. to my country and
to my Maker to put forth my best eff
forts. to discharge my duties faith
fully from the first day to the last.
Nothing less than whole-hcarted SER
vice will relieve me OF my obligations
to all these.
Spur Five.-Duty to self Lastly,
cannot afford to fall In loose ways for
the sake OF ease. or relief from daily
Burdens. II l allow myself to become
l will greatly injure my
chances OF success. Work sighted one
day will be more easily sighted the
next, and soon the habit will be form
ed and my usefulness will be practi-
calIy ruined. Neither is 1t sufficient
that I should keep from slipping back
or that I should merely hold my own.
i must provide opportunities for self
growth and not fail to use them.
BY such spurs az these, the teach
er must keep himself up to his best
efforts; without them. he will never
reach the goal OF his ambitions.
2. KEEPING A BRAVE FRONT.
It is never wise to reveal discour-
agement or disappointment. Many a
general has saved himself from a
crushing defeat by a good showing in
front. Disappointments are certain
to come. but we need not brood over
them nor talk about them. Some
teachers lie awake nights worrying
over their difficulties. 1t does no good
whatever, but much harm. because
1t robs US OF greatly needed rest and
so units u1 for the next days duties.
3. ENCOURAGING THOSE WHO
NEED. IT.
i The Word That Inspires.-It is well
IN kaen an eve ont for any deDress-