It is a most touching thing to me to receive a new fellow from his father - when I think what an influence there is in this place for evil, as well as for good…. If ever I could receive a new boy from his father without emotion, I should think it was high time to be off.
Arnold was well aware of the high privilege it was for a father to send his boy to Rugby - that is, the high privilege it was for him to receive the boy. Boarding schools can places of real vice (and they were in the 1830s), and day schools are not much better. Anxious parents have placed their child into your hands today and they expect you to keep him safe. That eleven-year old boy you are teaching today, he is someone’s son. That sixteen-year old girl, she is somebody’s daughter.
The children in your class are precious in the eyes of their parents. And even if they are not, because the parents abuse or neglect them, they are still precious in the eyes of God. He created them, knows all about them, and sent his Son to die for them.
If you have children (or, if you’re educating your own children at home), think how important they are to you. Think how you would want their teacher to take an interest in their work - and more importantly, in their well-being.
If you don’t have children then you will not know, personally, what it feels like to send your child into the world. But be aware that the parents of the boys and girls in your class have given their hopes and dreams, their future, into your hands. The parents long for the best for their child, and they treasure him or her dearly. Furthermore, don’t forget that the child has even greater value in the eyes of God.
For Thomas Arnold, the boys mattered. He learnt that from Jesus.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)
Whether you are a home educator, or work in a school, be encouraged in your calling. Strive to remember that the children, however challenging they may be today, are precious to their parents - and precious to God.
As Arnold would say:
God ever bless you.
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