Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-05-03
EDUCATION.
From a uOlume Of Tracts published By the
Society Of Friends.
An Address TO those who have the care OF
Children.

oOctcIy % FTlendS.
An Address TO those who have the care o
Children.
Those who teach others, must frs
learn to subdue their own passions. Ed
ucation is the correcting Of fallen nature
and he who hath not, by Gods grace
subdued his own, is not yet fit 10 corrcC
others.
The principal part Of education ia, t.
insinuate into tcLder minds the love o
God and virtue; and as we learn bes
from those we love most the first step tc
be taken in education is, TO make ourselves
loved. Let all instruction then be given
cheerfully, kindly, tcnderly, mildly, lest
by our defects we prejudice those we
should instruct against what we teach
them; show children 10 a lively and
good-humored manner that you advise
them for their own sakes, and not to salts
~ your humor, which never will mend
theirs; that you correct them with regret,
and encourage them with p pleasure Do
not suppose that they are always natten-
tive through design; some have slow
parts, and all are giddy. Children are
oil clear-sighted enough 10 discern wheth-
or you or they are in fault; would you
mend theirs, you must be patient; and
perhaps discernment and tenderness are
as much wanted in teachers as doclity
and attention in scholars. All things are
easy to those who know them; nothing
so to those who DO not. We were once
scholars, and perhaps as dull and perverse
as those we teach: but suppose you
should suddenly gain your point by Sc
verify and lose their hearts; in that case
is not everything lost! Will they not,
like bent bows, return with greater vio-
lence 10 their former inclinations, when
the restraint Of few months or years rs
overa But when the head is convinced,
and the heart gained, the work is done
for ever.
If children come to you from harsh
parents, and you are gentle and good
natured 10 them, they will love you, and
all you teach for your sake. II from ten
der parents, and you are harsh, they vii
hate you, and everything you teach them
The moro defects you show, the lewer
can you correct: TO be masters of others
we must be so Of ourselves. Let then
experience that meek and quiet spirit i:
Of great price: teach them all virtues by
example Your wisdom must be from
above, first pure, then gentle, easy to b,
entreated full of mercy and good works
without partiality, without Hypocrisy
Inculcate that to be honorable, they mus
be useful that no employment is meal
that is Of use set before them our Lord
example, who washed his apostles feet
and commanded us TO do the same TO eacI
other.
Teach them that it is more honorabl
as well as more blessed, to give than t
receive; and that in order to this we mus
be frugal, even in the highest stations an
fortunes. Ease, ofluence, generosity
Justice, and charity, are the lovely of
springs Of this humble virtue; as wan
anxiety, injustice, avaricc, and hardness {
heart, are the necessary consequences {
careless prodigality. The mind Of
prodigal resembles his mansion, wher
the vain glitter concludes in an habita
ton for beggars and owls; but the pei
son who with order and skill conducts b
affairs, like the sun b!esses all within h
influence, and himself is not impoverisl
ed thereby. Never show fondness Il
beauty, 6nery, fortune, titles, or any van
" before them: teach them to be discree
show an adherence 10 the least instanc
o. insincerity. Children will be insince:
if not permitted to speak their minds FIRE
". Let there be no punishment stated
the school for certain faults; let Les, mi
ice, anger, envy, falsehoo1, and all i'll n
ture, never escape tondign punishmel
which never should be inflicted by pa
sionate expressions or blows, and seldo
by whippings, as these may be constru
from passion, and none others can:
the former, they will blame you; for t
latter. themselves. Children should
dealt with, as we would be dealt by. '
wish that our lives may be made agre
bic, that our inclinations may be consu
ed, as far as II Is consistent with our Int
est; deal thus by :hem. Trifes pie
o. displease them; but it is no trif'
mater whether you gain or lose tn
hearts. --s ..
Above all things, give them taste
reading; and then, by laying good boz
in their way, they educate themselves
Lettheir works and studies be for use,
for parade, Fear not to lose respect
familiarity: respect follows esteem I
love, and not constraint. You can o
cure their faults BY knowing them; ,