Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-01-26
roR THE sEsTlNkL.
THE SCUOOLM ASTER.

schools, ! shall, IN this, call yoaf atten-
ton to what conceive to be some OF the
requisite qualifications of an Instructor.
The subject is one Of high importance.
1t is not every one Of those, even who
possess the requisite literary attaInfnehts,
who is qualified to assame the direction
Of school. Many entirely fail OF useful
ness, though possessed Of highly cul'lvat-
ed minds. Several ingredients enter
into the composition of a good schodl-
master. Amung these enmmon sence IS
the first. This is qualification exceed
+ingiy important, as m teaching school
one has constant 0ecasinntor its exercise
Eiany, by no means deficient in intellect,
are not persons of common sense. j
rSean by the term. that faculty by which
things are seen as they are. ltis the ex-
ereise Of reason, uninauenced by passion
or prejudice. Uniformity Of temper IS
another Important trait in the character
of an Instructor. Where this is wanting,
it is hardly possible to govern or to teach
with cess.
Acapacity tounderstand and discrlml-
nate character, is highly important to
him who engages in school keeping. All
the varying shades of disposition and ca
pacity shca!t be~eaickly learned by the
instructor, that he may benefit all and do
injustice to none. a school master
should be aifectionate. The human heart
is so constituted, that it cannat resist the
influence OF kinlRess. A just moral dis
cernment is Of pte-eninent Importance
fh, 81, IS
less governed by consideration Of his
mora! obligation, he is bat poorly quail
fed to dischase the duties which devolve
upon him, when placed at the head of
l. school. He is himself, ;Horal agent,
and accountable to himselfto his employ
ers, to his country aud to his God, tor
the faithful discharge Of duty. If he have
No moral seusbllity, no fear Of disobey-
ing the laws of Col, no regard for the
institutions Of our holy religion. how can
he be expected to lead his pupils in the
way that they should go? An instruc-
tor, without moral feeling, not only brings
ruin to the children placed uuder his
care, but does injury to their parents. to
the neghborhood, to the town, and doubt
less to another generation. The moral
character of instructors should be consi-
dered subject of very high Importance;
and let every one, who knows himself 10
be immoral, reHounce at oncesthe thought
of such an employment, while he continues
to disregard the laws of God and the
happiness of BIZ. fel!ow-men.
Passinss over many topics connected
with those alteady mentioned, / shall
notice the necessary literary quaiGca-
tons of a sehoomastcr. 1T will at once
be apparent that no oae is qualified for
this business. who has not a thorough
knowledge Of the branches required to
be taught in common schools. These are
Reading, Writing, Grammar, Arithmetic,
Geography. & in some instances the His
tory of the United States. Al these
branches are necessary, to enable lndivi-
dualS to perform the common business OF
life.
Every one whe tea ches school ought
10 be eminent as a good reader. The
value OF THIS art is discussed by DR.. Por-
ter, in his Anal ysis of delivery. He re-
marks that .'in this country, where liter
AIRY institutions of every kind are spring
ing up, aad where the advantages of ed
ucation are open to all, Nc enc Is qaalih-
ed to hold respectable rank, in we'll
bred society, who is unable to read, in
III interesting manner, the works Of 9th
ers." To the teacher of children this is
an requirement Of very great importance;
and no one is qualified to engage in teach;
ing till he is able TO read WELL
A thorough knowledge OF Arithmetic is
also indispensable to The sehoolnaster.
do not mean that siGathefing of the
science, which So often passes for a
knowledge vi it /; but thorough acquain.
lance with its principles. To be able, by
the aid VI rules and uranus e-lpts, to solve
the question given, is very far from be-
ing the knowledge necessary.
No one is properly qualified in this
branch Of science, until able, from his
own knowledge Of its principles, to origi-
nate rules, even if they were not given in
his book. He should be able to tell the
why and the wherefore in every ope-
ration, else he is not prepared to teach.
Ffe pupil will derive bataittle practical
benefit from the study, and every process
will be mechanical. As this science is
necessary in every condition Of life. as
is to be used almost every cay III car
lives, great Importance should be attach
ed to the mode of teaching it. Dir. Park
hurst justly remarks, 9 Its tie practical
utility of any branch Of knowledge that
gives it IFS chief value. The difference
between the practical utility Of the varI-
Gus branches Of knowledge is very great"
A knowledge OF the nature, power and
combination OF numbers, whether we re-
gard its e feet as important to mental dis
cipIi.e, or its use IN the business OF life,
must be considered aiming the most I'M
portant requirements. Several valuable
tle.t'ses oI. tbs subject are now before