Children’s Column.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXII, Issue 42788, 7 October 1905, Page 3

Children’s Column.

, • (Written expressly for Te Aroha New.) This column is kindly given np to the children'by the editor and and as ive intend to say a word now and then to those responsible for their training, we will begin with theteacher.

Beloved friend, God has indeed laid upon you a great responsibility. As a teacher and companion to youth, you have an influence second to none in the community. You are in daily contact with minds that are bright, heiirts that are sensitive and wills that are pliable. They are sent to you for the ex - press purpose of being influenced by you, and at the most plastic pc iod of their lives. Your words with them are weighty, and your example is even more potent. Dr Charming used to say : —“ There is no . officer higher than that of a teacher of youth, for there is nothing on earth so precious as the mind, soul and character of a child. ’ ’ Professor Tyndal says :— £ *lf there is one profession of paramount importance, I believe it to be that of a schoolmaster.” . In view of these facts may we respectfully inquire if j-ou are using your influence to lead your pupils to the Lord, or even to acquaint them with the deep things of God which are revealed by the Holy Ghost ? ' Granted that the special work for which you are employed is to educate the mind and to inculcate the principles of morality. Still is it not your duty also to lead them into the realms of spiritual knowledge, and above all, to introduce them to the Great Teacher who once said? Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”.

Young people have souls as well as minds, and is it not a very defective training which develops the mind, and leaves the spiritual nature dwarfed and stinted? Indeed, is it not possible for a student to go forth with a welltrained mind and with morals above reproach and still fall short of being a whole man ? He may be well versed in ancient and modern lore, but if he has not been taught to love God and obey the Gospel, is he not in the same sad condition as the young man of whom Jesus said :—“One thins: thou lackest.”-

We know, that young people do not wish to have religion thrust upon them continually, but they do, without exception, admire a strong Christian character, and they appreciate a loving Christian interest in their welfare and an oeciisional earnest word upon the subjest. Remember too, that many of your pupils receive no Christian training at home, and they will doubtless go out into the world without any definite religions principles unless they receive them from you. While on the other hand, if one who bears the sacred relation of teacher does not show a vital interest in the Christian life it will be very hard for anyone to convince them of its importance.

Of all the instructors whom the writer had in School or college, no one left so indelible an impression upon his character, no one did so much in shaping his life'as the district school teacher, There was no distinctive religious teaching, but in and out of the class room he so exhibited the beauty and holiness of his own life, and so constantly held up Christ as the true ideal of all lives that his pupils became easy converts to his Lord and Master.

Every teachir desires in some measure to havethe stamp of his own personality upon those entrusted to his care. Blessed is he whose personal impress leaves on every heart the beautiful image of Jesus. , Doubtless you are already teaching the golden lessons of self-restraint' of integrity, honour, true nobility, abstinence and, clean living. But will you not strive to bring these young lives into vital union with the Son of God? Your own good sense and tact will show you what method to employ, if you only have the disposition. For their sakes will you not seek to be filled with the Spirit, that out of. your life may flow rivers of living water and words of heavenly wisdom. It was the Great Teacher who said: —“For their sakes I sanctity myself, that they aLso might be sanctified through the truth.” May a double portion of His Spirit rest upon you, and may yours be the happy experience described in the following beautiful poem:— Perchance in Heav<?tr some day to me Some blessed saint will come and say, All hail, beloved ! hut for thee My soul to death had fallen a prey. And oh, what rapture in the thought One soul to glory to have brought.