Page:Authority and Knowledge.djvu/22

 Schoolmaster, if when they begin to complain, or rebel, you, instead of encouraging them, gently show them that they are wrong, and make them feel that the master's authority is a wise and right one, they will give him some of the respect which they give to you: his discipline will seem to them not of might only but of right, and then it will be for their good. So, again, with their knowledge, show them that you care about it. I have always remembered what I read some years ago in the report of an able Inspector reporting to Government on Scotch Education. He was speaking of the great superiority of Scotch Schools, and the reason which he gave for this was the great interest taken by the parents in the work of the children at School. At home in the evening they would question them about their work in the day, showing their own interest in the subjects taught, and encouraging industry and proficiency by their approval. We have something to learn here. Shew pleasure to the children if their reading has been good, their writing neat, their lessons accurate, their knowledge of Bible and Catechism reverent and intelligent. Show them (they will be quick enough to see the difference) that you value these things for their own sakes, because it is always worth while to do a thing well if it is done at all, because knowledge of the things in this world is a knowledge of what is very good, because a knowledge of all that concerns