Encouragement
Broadly speaking, encouragement is involved in the principle of approval. Some years ago a young man (Mr. X) of marked ability but of such a temperament that he was easily discouraged, was prevented from teaching school by some crafty scheme of the county superintendent and others who were opposed to the young man. Mr. X was thoroughly prepared to teach and far worthier in character than the county superintendent and his accomplices. A friend of the applicant, chancing to be with him one evening in August just at sunset, took occasion in view of the beautiful sunset to tell the young man how much beauty there is in life. He explained that adversities, such as he had just experienced are only stepping stones to nobler efforts. He told him not to heed the discouragement, but go right on in his chosen work and success would crown his efforts; and that after all, life was so full of beauty that it would overshadow all difficulties. The young man and his friend parted. The friend had forgotten Mr. X and did not know of his whereabouts until one day a letter came to him from the young fellow. The following extract from the letter will explain how encouraging was the talk of a few years before. “I now have a good position in this city (the city was Akron, Ohio) and can also teach if I care to. I have often been discouraged, but remembered your talk and resolved upon this sentiment for myself: ‘There are two ways in life and if young men and women would consider these ways soberly and earnestly before moving onward they would choose the one which truth and reason tell them will lead to honor, success and happiness.’ You and I know the other way too well to need description. Life is not mean; it is grand. If it is mean to anyone he makes it so himself. God made it glorious. How much life means to every individual, words cannot explain. I have often been discouraged but I looked upon the bright side and went on.” There could be no more eloquent appeal for encouragement as a device in the hands of the serious teacher. Many are the times and opportunities when a teacher can speak an encouraging word and thereby send a life into a fuller realization of its worth.
Sometimes the best pupil in the school meets with adversities (and they will come to every individual ofttimes in life); they would overwhelm him were it not for an encouraging word from a thoughtful teacher. Every teacher should keenly realize that it is a part of his work, his actual duty to lend encouragement to his pupils. If the lessons are hard, the teacher must encourage; if the pupil has fallen into one or more of the petty temptations that beset children on every side, the teacher must forgive and forget, and point out corrective measures, thereby reassuring him and if the pupil has failed the teacher must comfort him. It was Lowell who said, “Not failure, but low aim, is crime.” Every teacher can be a source of great good if he will wisely help and encourage where encouragement is needed. Such a teacher’s work will live long after he is gone, and he will be kindly remembered by many who are treading life’s pathways.
A few years ago a young man sought to enter Columbia University for his last year of college work, and discovered that he was quite deficient in language requirements. Just as he was about to leave the college and give up the fond hope of completing his education, he was accosted by a fraternity man, who was a stranger, but who soon made himself a friend and so encouraged and inspired the young student that he took double work and succeeded in finishing his college education. That young student is now a man occupying a useful and worthy place of trust in a large institution. The teacher who can encourage a pupil as the fraternity man reassured the young student, will have no trouble in discipline with that pupil. The pupil who has been saved from despair always has a warmth of feeling for the one who thus inspired him.