Discipline

The standard

“The Lord would have our primary schools, as well as those for older persons, of a character that angels of God can walk through the room and behold in the order and principles the order and government of heaven. This is thought by many to be impossible, but everyone should begin with this, and should work most earnestly to preserve the Spirit of Christ in temper, in communications, in the instruction, the teachers placing themselves in the channel of light where the Lord can use them as his agents to reflect his own likeness of character upon the students. They may know that as God-fearing instructors, they have helpers every hour to impress upon the children the valuable lessons given.”—P. C.PH140 37.1

“It is the duty of principal and teachers to demand perfect order and perfect discipline. Those teachers who do not see the necessity of maintaining the rules that it is deemed essential to make have simply made a mistake in thinking that they are prepared to teach, and in accepting the situation. No disorder should be allowed without decided rebuke and a command to cease. It would not be allowed even in the common schools. If the principal and teachers of the school have not authority and government sufficient to set things in order, some one should take the management who will require obedience.”—P. C.PH140 38.1

The duty of parents

“Dislike and even contempt for regulations will often be manifested. Some will exercise all their ingenuity in evading penalties, while others will display a reckless indifference to the consequences of transgression. All this will call for more patience and greater exertion on the part of those who are intrusted with their education. If the parents would stand pledged to sustain the authority of the teacher, much insubordination, vice, and profligacy would be prevented. Parents should require their children to respect and obey rightful authority.”—Christian Education, 244.PH140 38.2

“Do not think it your duty to carry everything you see and hear to others. They will take it to their homes, and comment upon it, and then pass the dish to some one else.... Children that are educated to relate everything they see that takes place at the table and in the classes will forfeit the confidence of their teachers by communicating to others their parcel of nonsense.—P. C. July 15, 1897.PH140 39.1

“When parents realize their responsibilities, there will be far less left for teachers to do in the training of their children.”—Special Testimonies on Education, 42.PH140 39.2

“In too many families today there is too much self-indulgence and disobedience passed by without being corrected, or else there is manifested an overbearing, masterful spirit that creates the worst evils in the dispositions of the children. Parents correct them at times in such an inconsiderate way that their lives are made miserable, and they lose all respect for father, mother, brothers, and sisters.”—P.C. September 24, 1898.PH140 39.3

“Little boys and girls need thorough discipline in study.”—P.C. June 6, 1899, “Review and Herald and College Debt,”.PH140 39.4

Methods of discipline

(1) “Teach the children in simple language that they must be obedient to their parents and give their hearts to God.”—P.C. December 15, 1897.PH140 39.5

(2) “If you can obtain the confidence of the youth (a troublesome pupil) and bind him to your heart through cords of sympathy and love, you may win a soul to Christ. The wayward, self-willed, independent boy may become transformed in character.”—Christian Education, 242.PH140 39.6