There is a time for training children and a time for educating youth, and it is essential that in school, both of these be combined to a great degree. Children may be trained for the service of sin or the service of righteousness.
The early education of youth shapes their character, both in their secular and religious life. Solomon says, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” This language is positive. The training which Solomon enjoins is to direct, educate, and develop. For parents and teachers to do this work, they must themselves understand “the way” the child should go. This embraces more than merely knowing books. It takes in everything that is good, virtuous, righteous, and holy. It comprehends the practice of temperance, Godliness, brotherly kindness, and love to God and to one another. To attain this object, the physical, mental, moral, and religious education of children must receive attention.
The education of children, at home or at school, should not be like the training of dumb animals; for children have an intelligent will, which should be directed to control all their powers. Dumb animals need to be trained, for they have no reason or intellect. But the human mind must be taught self-control. It must be educated to rule the human being, while animals are controlled by a master and are trained to be submissive to him. The master is the mind, judgment, and will for his beast.
A child may be so trained as to have, like the beast, no will of his own. Even his individuality may be merged in the one who superintends his training; his will, to all intents and purposes, is subject to the will of the teacher. Children who are thus educated will ever be deficient in moral energy and individual responsibility.
Evang. Roberts Kwaku
