The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1909-05-14
a reputation in the community

a reputation in the community
for upright living and in
whom the class has confidence,
If he does not have this, he had
better resign. He must not be
afraid to study. The day when
a teacher can 60 before a class
expecting the Lord to fill his
mouth when he opens it, is past.
He will surely fill it, but it will
be mostly wind. Our boys and
girls nowadays have very clear
ideas as to the difference between
wind and wisdom. He must
know his scholarship can'treach
them at long range. He must
live with them $50 to speak,,
know their likes and dislikes,
enter into their joys and sor-
rows, and be to a great extent,
one with them; never forgetting
however, the dignity of his cali
ing. The teacher should be a
pattern of promptness. If l am
too lazy to be on time, l have not
yet realized the Importance of
my calling.
Regularity of attendance is a
great virtue in a teacher and
covers a multitude of faults, in
ike eyes of our boys and girls.
The teacher who consults his
own feelings in the matter of at
tendance, rather than the duty
he owes to the class, is a nui-
sance and should be abated by
the Sunday schools officers.
Look over the Sunday schsol
and notice the classes that
have the best general attend
ance and the big major
ity are so, not because the teach
er is brilliant, but for the reason
that they know he will always be
present, ready to do his best.
Again, if we want to hold our
boys and girls in the Sunday
school, (boys especially there
must be something doing from
start to finish. You cannot blame
a live healthy boy for quitting
a ''pokey" school or class. He
is himself a bundle of energy
and has no time for anything
else in his teacher. When / was
a boy, my father had a large
flock of sheep, which it was my
duty to gather together and
bring home on my way from
school. [ had to drive them
through a long lane, and l soon
found that when [ allowed them
to 60 along leisurely, that some
of them were always finding the
weak places in the fence and
gave me no end of trouble to KEEP
them in the way. [ very soor
learned to keep them moving al
a lively rate, so that they had nc
time to look for gaps in the fence
| very much fear that the sleepy
Sunday school or teacher is the
cause OF many Of u boys anC
girls creeping out and escaping
Again, if we are to hold oul
scholars in the Sunday schoo
and win them for Christ, there
must be real gospel teaching and
living on the part of officers and
teachers: and / would not except
any member of the church in
this respect. Young people are
quick to see the Inconsistencies
in our lives, and we should have
d care, lest We put a stumbling
block in their way, since the
Master has said it "Were better
a milestone were hanged about
the neck" of such one and he
were drowned in the depth OF
the sea.
And last, but not least, the
young people and children
should be given a chance, occas.
sionally, to declare their faith in
Christ and take a decided stand
for him. What would we think
Of the farmer who began to SOW
his seed in the spring, and kept
it up all the season through,
|. never thinking it worth while to
} reap his crop? Yet, that is what
most Sunday schools are doing
! year in and year out. Let Us
harvest our crop for the Master.
and let Us not draw the line toe
closely as to age. Many a child
: of six has better ideas as to what
] it means to trust and love Jesus.
than some people of ripper years
} Christ said Suffer little children
to come unto me-" and who are
we, that we should refuse this tc
these innocent ones?
If we are willing to pay the
price in earnest effort and right
] living, / believe we can keep ou1
hovS and GIRLS in the Sunday