Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-03-09
FOR THE SENTINEL
TO SCHOOLMASTER

" l. r..
Gentlemen, Revelation assures US, that
our future condition will be decided by
the character formed in this world
that man will be rewarded in the world
TO come. according to the deeds done in
this. The formation of character is not
then matter Important in relation to this
life only. The children with whom you
associated, are all the children of one
great Creator. They are part of His
extensive kingdom. They are the SUBJ
jects OF His government. and are under
the highest obi CATION to obey His wise
and holy laws. He has enioined upon
them TO - Remember their Greater in the
days Of their youth" 'to love their neigh
bors as themselves -and to honor their
parents. He has prohibited prdfaneness
and'falsehooa. He has enloined the du-
ty Of gratitude to the Saviour, and of re.
Pentance for sin; and each individual
committed to your care is liable every day
TO be summoned away from this world
anu TO render up on account Of the
'''dseds done in the body" And as their
happiness, PRESENT and eternal, depends
on the temper they exhibit in regard ito
the character and laws Of God, yeur res.
possibility is indescribaby great. If
you are so happy as toll lad item tod we
Him, who has said, .'sutfer little children
to come unto me; and forbid them not"
how great the bene6: you may confer up
on them /! But if by your example and
instruction YOU should lead them away
from the paths of wisdom. how great is
the injury They will be no e likely to
llsten TO unset and advice, frt m be-
loved teacher. than from almost any 9th.
err person. They will generally be more
disposed to regard what you say to them
on the subject of their moral obligation,
than what is said to them by their pi rents
ertheir minister. This talent whieh,yon
are permitted to occupy, is one for the i'm
provement Of which you are accountable |
to God. And how much does it increase
the interest of your calling! Hence l I
should be guilty of unfalthfllRess if | I
should neglect tod rect your attention to
your own moral obligation. You, as
we'll as the youths committed to your
charge. have an account to render to |
Him who gave you YOUR existence. III
you are put in posse ssion of an influence,
which if properly exertad, may greatly
augment individual happiness. as well IS
that OF the nation or. on the other hand,
1t not properly exerted, may, in the sane
ratio. increase the amount of human mis-
cry; fail not to ponder well the subject,
which is to throw upon you SO i'm 1ortar t !
responsibility. have been led to the I
above reflections from having the convic-
ton forced upon me, that many who
have offered their services as teachers, I
have had no higher motives in as doiug.
than the attainment of a pecuniary re-
ward. But, while | am firm in the be-
lief that 1.-the laborer is worthy of his !
ahlre," and while | am as firmly of the
opinion that the ordinary compensation is
lower than it ought to be, cannot con.
ceiye that any one ought to engage in this /
highly responsible business, merely for
the purpose of compensation.
In business less spOnsible. it may be |,
justIficabie to make that the first object. |
But where an influence so important is to
he exerted. it does seem to me that Pa |
striotism requires that the first object of |
teacher should be to do good, and that
those only shoald engage in teaching, who
are willing to devote the largest portion
eof their time, that can be rendered bene.
fetal to the school. Let every teacher
engage heartily in the work, and devote
his whole time to the business. /
dNkLrNG.