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Some Essentials of the Successful Teacher
By Dr. J. E. Greaves of the Utah Agricultural College

I was visiting in a large hospital with a leading surgeon when he asked me if I cared to witness an unusual operation which was to be performed that morning. I accepted the invitation. We started for the operating division. On reaching the elevator, I noticed that the nurses had just brought in a small boy. He was greatly emaciated. His cheeks were bright pink with fever. Although his little features were pinched from suffering, yet they radiated hope and confidence. A young father and mother accompanied him and their eyes caught his every movement. It was easy to see that their sole concern was for the welfare of their boy. Either would gladly have changed places with him. Yes, they would have given their lives for him. There was a studied look on the face of the surgeon as he carefully surveyed the features of the boy and then the faces of his parents. Not a word was spoken as the elevator slowly moved upward.

On stepping from the elevator, the surgeon turned to me and said, "This surgery is mighty serious business when one realizes that on his diagnosis and on his action often hang a human life. I have used the most refined methods known to modern science in the diagnosis of this case, yet there is a possibility of error. However, I do know this-that his only hope is in an operation, yet I keenly sense my responsibility."

As he spoke I could not help reflecting, "Nature in time will heal the wound which his knife will make. Sooner or later Mother Earth will cover the scar. Anything that he may do with his scalpel will reach only the mortal body. His knife cannot reach the soul. The operations of the teacher mould not only the body but also the spirit."

I am just old-fashioned enough to believe that the child has a soul and that the teacher may make or mar it for eternity. Hence I ask: Whose is the greatest responsibility?

I once heard a story which, although jokingly told, vividly portrayed to me the responsibility of the teacher: Two inhabitants of this earth had died and first met in Purgatory, so the story goes. The attendant stowed each away in a large kettle under each of which he started a brisk fire. Now and then each would look over the top of his prison wall and converse with his neighbor. On becoming tired of this they would settle back and enjoy the heat. After some time, one came to the top and called to the other. No answer. He called again. Still no answer. Was it possible that his companion even in this region had succumbed to the heat? When the attendant came to stir the fire he was asked, "What has become of the other prisoner?"

"He has been liberated."

"Then why am I being held?"

"Your friend while on earth was a robber. All who suffered from his crime have passed on. He has atoned for his sins. But you, while on earth, were a teacher and you taught false doctrines. These are being handed on from generation to generation with the result that it will be ages before the harm done by you is made right."