protect them against the wolves, especially those that "are clothed in sheepskins," that come in the garb of agnostic and infidel science, or in the glittering dress of pernicious reading. He must protect his flock without sparing himself, not fly from dangers and exertions like the hireling, but must be ready to "give his life for his sheep," that means, he must sacrifice himself, devote all his time and strength to his class. He should "go before his sheep" by his good example, attract them by kindness and meekness, that they may "know his voice and follow him, and fly not from him as from a stranger whose voice they know not."[1]
Again, is not the teacher to be compared to a sculptor, or a painter?[2] We admire the masterpieces of Phidias, Praxiteles, Lysippus, of Michael Angelo and Raphael. And yet, the teacher's art is far nobler. Those artists produced likenesses of marble or bronze, likenesses that are cold and lifeless, whereas the teacher is working at living statues. Those artists could produce only exterior likenesses of men or of superior beings; the teacher shapes the innermost nature of man. Nay, more, the Christian teacher endeavors to bring out more beautifully the image of God. Christ, the true teacher of mankind is his ideal and model. In prayer and meditation on the life of Christ, he studies line after line of him to whom he applies the words of the royal prophet: "Thou art beautiful above the sons of men, grace is poured abroad in thy lips. With thy comeliness and beauty set out, proceed prosperously and reign."[3]
