Between the Bells (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1876 edition. Excerpt: ...powers, may be beyond our reach, but the ordinary and well-balanced ability are within the reach of everybody, and capable of indefinite improvement by study and practice. They need only the basis of sound common sense, and the power to utilise what is possessed. Many do with opportunities as children do at the sea-shore: they fill their little hands with sand, and then let the grains fall through, one by one, till all are gone. In the same way some persons accumulate a great deal of knowledge, but digest little. "He teaches best who best doth learn; We give what we receive; We cannot give unless we get--Let none their hearts deceive." The simple nature of our gifts need not discourage us. All good works are done by serving God with what we have, and He accepts and blesses what we offer. Moses was no orator, yet he made a very able and successful superintendent for the Israelites. Fluency of speech, again, is a gift greatly prized, and is of much importance, but it is no sign of skill in administration; in fact experience often shows that he who talks least to his scholars usually manages them best. Again, a teacher without patience and perseverance will be sadly deficient, for heart power is even more essential than mind power. Children sorely try the patience of those who are set over them, and the most impatient suffer the most. The dull, slow scholars, as well as the rude and impudent ones, try us, and need much careful kindness and gentle forbearance. Patience implies a slowness to take offence, a subordination of personal ambition to the one great object of doing good. Some teachers go on very well for a season, but soon get weary. Others are willing to work if they can be superintendents, or hold some conspicuous station, ...