Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-02-18
SCHOOL DISCIPLINE, &c


At late meeting of the Essex County,
(Mass.) Association Of Teachers, the ques-
,ion-"Hhether School can be property gop-
erned by moral suasion only"-was discussed
at some length, and was finally referred to n
Committee, who made the following sensible
Report
Your Committee, in discharging the duties
assigned them, beg leave to report:
| That while they believe MORAL SUAsIoN
may be successfully employed as an anxilia-
ry, 1t cannot be depended on as The "on!y" in
strument in establishing healthtul disci-
plne in schools.-Whenever it is depended
on entirely, or chiefly, for any considerable
length of time, there must be want of that
ready obedience to necessary and judicious
laws indispensable to the highest sefulness
of schools. To accustom children early and
cheertully to submit to authority, to kd,D, is
one of the greatest benefits to be expected
from these MINOR fountains of knowledge; for
| it is vain to hope that those who have never
been governed in the family or school, will,
when older, readily submit to the laws of So
ciety, the state OF the nation. "Just as the
twig is bent, the .ree's inclined," is never
more true than when applied to the govern
ment of children. How often has the child,
nngoverned at home or at school, on becom-
ing man, proved pest to society, curse
to his family, and the terror Of the neighbor-
hood. From such materials il is easy TO ere.
ute mob-among such to find candidates
Ior the house Of correction, and the prison.
! We observe with pain, therefore, an in
creasing spirit of characterization in some of
our schools, cherished, as we believe. by mann
parents ,cho adrocate the doctrine that corporeai
punishment should be ,choliy discarded. This
doctrine, at variance as il is with the opinions
of Legislators, successful educators, and judi
cious parents, in all ages, and what is still
higher authority the Word Of God, we must
believe to be unphilosophical and injurious.
| We cannot doubt that '.to spare the rod" is,
Hin many instances ut least, Ito spoil the
child"
Il That schools cannot be governed by "mo-
raj suasion" only, is evident from various con-
siderations. But we have time to mention
the following only: ..
II |. Many Of the children who attend school
have never been governed at home-have
never been, properly, made acquainted witt
the nature of their rights and obligations, bu
have been left to the government of passion
will, and selfshness- Is it reasonable tt
suppose that such children can be controlled
| by merely moral suasona
| 9. Some may be found, I'm almost every
school, who have been taught by precep
and example, to resist and nullify all authori
| lty that is dsagreeable to them.
II Over such, moral suasion can be expected
/ to exert but feeble influence.
H 3. Children are not untreqnently fount
who seem to take pleasure an doing mischief
and invading the rights of others. IL it rea
Ia hat oh oil
be made willing to submit to the regulation
of good school without coercion?
i 4. In order to establish and maintain tole
rable discipline by moral snasion only, thu
Instructor must, generally, spend so great
portion of his time, that he cannot communi
cate an adequate amount of instruction.
Hence an important loss is sustained by tn,
whole school.
|, In conclusion we beg leave to adopt the
language Of Mr. Abbott, of Boston. He say
-,"however men may differ in tn, cries witt
regard to human nature, it is pretty general.
agreed, by those who have tried the expert
ment, that neither the school nor the famil,
can be preserved in order by eloquence, ar
gument, and persuasion alone. There MUS
be authority The pupils may not often fee
it-but they must knotD it is always at hand
and must be brought to submit to it as t,
simple authority" The subjection of th'
governed. to the authority Of him in whom il
vested the right to command, and to enforc'
submission, "s the only government that will
answer in a school or family" 1t should b'
recommended to the teacher to explain, al
far as practical, the nature Of government
the necessity for laws-the reasonablenes
and happiness Of obedience, and the pain tina
must attend disobedience: but he must har
and must claim the right 10 other and sepere
means, if these be found insufficient.
Respectfully submitted,
\ =. II. HALL,
IN CO KENDALL,