Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-04-25
ON POPULAR EDUCATION.
From North American Review, fcr Jan'ry, 1888

" Nor gel is the instructors task ac-
complished, by teaching morals from
book. lie ought 20 blend moral inhue,-
ces, as much as possible, with the whole
course Of reducation. lie ought himself
TO be man of hrgh and pure moral sem
siblllty; 70 have that strong aud feeling
perception of the beauty of all yntue,
t'Tat would reveal itself in the glowing
countenance and the kindl!ng eye, when
he speaks of i to have, moreover, that
highest Of all religious culture, which is
requisite to the right and saluiary en-
lorcement of discipline, and iuliction Of
penalties. No man ministers at a holier
altar than he. lie should feel, we re-
peat the declaration, that his business is
10 make good men, as truly as to make
good scholars that the heart is commit
ted TO his care as truly as the understand
ing, lie may do much TO mould it right
ly; he must do much to influence it
The school cannot be too often contcm-
plated, either by him or Others, as a mo-
raj scene.
"There are few departments Of scho-
lastc instruction, whether higher or low
or, that may not be found to yield con-
stant suggestions lor virtuous and reli-
gious excitement. The teacher, who
should sklllally avail himself Of such OPP
portunities, would produce effects upon
society the most extensive ard lasting,
and The most delightful Sir james Mack
intosh says Of Dugald Stewart, and we
can scarcely conceive of IA higher eulo-
gium, that "Few men ever lived, per-
haps, who poured into the breasts Of
:, youth ii more lervid and yet reasonable
love of liberty, Of truth, and &c virtue. -
4 How many, (hc adds arc still alive, in
different countries, and in every rank to
which education reaches, who, if they
accurately examined their own minds
\ anu HfCS, "ouiu Iot dSCliDc iluCi VI
whatever goodness and happiness they
possess, 10 the early impressions of his
gentle and persuasive cloquencen
:" Few men, indeed, possess the pow
crs of the Edinburgh Professor. But,
to every instructor OF youth, sphere is
I opened for the eXertion of the noblest
talents and virtues. 1t is a most mis-
! chicvous and absurd idea, but one that
has prevailed, if it do not still prevail,
that such 4 man is not REQUIRED TO pos
sess great talents that he may be du!
, and plodding man ; that he may be dul
in his moral sensib;lity; that he need no
be religious man and yet may very
well discharge the duties Of his station
But if Heaven has given TO any man ta
lent or enthusiasm, or virtue OF picty, le
him know that it is all wanted here, ant
that he can scarcely choose IA noble,
field for action. Let a man enter thi,
field, therefore, not to 90 through tho
dull round Of prescribed duty;-let hin
throw himself into this sphere of action
with his whole mind and heart, with ey
, cry wakeful energy ofthought and kind
ling fervor Of feeling; to think and to act
to devise and to do, all that his powers
permit, for the minds that are committee
to him; to develope and exhaust his whole
soul in this work to labor for and will
his pupils, to win their affection, to quick
j en- in them the love of knowledge, to In
!. spirc, with every noble impulse, the
breast of ingenious youth to raise VI
sound scholars for literature, and devo
!. ted pastors for the church, and patriot
If citizens for the country, and gloriou
5 5 men for the world; let him do this an
1t none shall leave brighter signatures W
on the record Of honorcd and well spel
lives. Let him do this: and whether b
sit in the chair Of university, or in III
humblest village school-whether as
Stewart and Cousin, or as an Oberll
and Pestalozzi, lie may fill the Ian
y with grateful witnesses of his worth, an
:, cause n generation unborn to rise up az
: call him blessed
= "To the friends Of education, as WEI
"a as TO the actual laborcrs in is cause, ie
+ us say In fine, press onward. The sprea
= of knowledge has given birth to civil iio