The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1845-05-01

ways been exempt from this charge
though the time has been when we should
have repealed it with suitable indignation!
But when we review the past, candor
compes US TO acknowledge land we blush
at the imposilion) that we attempted 10 dis
charge duies, which we were not qualified
TO meet-to teach branches, of which cur
knowledge was very imperfect. Too
many of our country teachers commence
the business before age has matured their
powers and given them a suitable degree
offamiliarity either with scientific pursuits,
or The passions which infesl the human b.
som, and the influences which are most
successful in controlling them.
Parents manifest strange indifference
with regard to the qualifications of those TO
whom they entrust the most sacred inter
ests of their chIdren. Ii will not do to
employ an inexperienced mechanic, but
all that they require Of their teacher is 10
have cipAered through aralhmetac"-to
be able to re>parse the old lessons on which
they have been drilled from childhood to
manhood, and last, though not least, TO
teach cheap! Though young gentle
man or lady may have made good i'm
provement of his or her time, and may
have studied the branches usually taught
in our district schools with great industry,
it is very far from following that they are
qualified to give instruction in those
branches. We may possess to'erable
acquaintance with a particular science,
and yet, not be sufficiently familiar with it
to convey lis principles TO another, with
that degree ofclearness which is necessary
to becoming successful teacher. The
textbooks, now in use, do not profess 10
give anything more than first principles
they merely assis, the student 10 take the
iniiatory steps, and prepare him for future
advancement. The one whose researches
have been confined to them, can lay no
claim 10 any amount of scientific knowl>
edge; and is moi, as we conceive, qualified
10 become an instructor of others. Ii such
teacher undertakes to explain an obscure
principle to his pupils, the demonstration
will be confused and perp|exing; and, in.
stead of solving the difficulty, will only
serve TO render it more formidable. The
consequence is that pursuits. which a u
dicious instructor would render easy and
agreeable, become difficult and disgusting.
And vet unfortunate as such Influences
may prove, appeal to those who are best
qualified to judge, TO say if a ma orty OF
our teachers are not in a similar situation?
10 say If very many of them are not de-
pendent on their labors, from day to day
10 keep in advance of their own scholars
While this is the case, Jour schools can new.
ct De well instructed.
But it is not more necessary that teach
ers should be thoroughly educated, than
that their morals should be of The slernes,,
puresl kind. In order 10 see the necess-
ty for this we need only reflect that the
moral influences, exerted by the teacher,
are among the earliest, that are brought TO
bear upon the mind of the child-that i'm.
pressons may be made, which time will
never oblierate. Who then does not feel
the importance OF having teacher pos
sessng noble and vinuous feelings? Who
would not desire to trust their children in
the hands OF one, who would rebuke vice
wherever he should see it, and would suf
fer manyrdom rather than be gully Of
mean aclion2 Yet strangers are employ
ed, without so much as asking for tes!imo.
mails Of character.
Where is the remedy for the evils that
exist in our common schools! Who can
put stop to them? Parents may, and
they alone can do it. II they will but say
The word, they may soon be supplied with
efficient teachers; but If they continue to
love their money better than the mental
and moral well-being Of their children
they will continue TO be cursed with in>
efficient teachers and worse than unless
schools. A TEACHER.
For the Voice of Freedom.
Christians, what are their dutiesg