The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-12-13
STUDY A CHlLD'S CAPACITIES

If some naturally dull, and vet strive to do
WELL notice the effort, and do not censure the doll
ness. A teacher might as we'll scold child for
being near sighted, as for being naturally dull.
Some children have great verbal memory, others
are quite the reverse. Some minds develope ear
ly, others late. Some have great powers of ac-
curing, others of originating Some may appear
stupid, because their true spring of character has
never been touched. The Ounce of the school.
may turn out in the end. the living, progressive,
wonder working genius Of the age. Ia order to
erect the best spiritual influence we must under.
stand the spirit upon which We wish TO exert that
influence. For with the human mind we must
work with nature, and not against it. Like the
Leaf OF the netile, if touched one way, il stings
IKE wasp; If the other, it is softer than satin.
Ii we would do justice to the human mind, we
must find out its peculiar characteristics, and a.
dept ourselves To its individual wants. 10 con-
versation on this point with friend who is now
the principal IN one of our best grammar schools
and to whose instruction look back with delight
=" your remarks" said he. " are quite true let
me tell you little incident, which bears upon the
point. Last summer, had girl who was ex
ceedIngly behind in all her studies, She was a,
the foot OF the division. and seemed to care but
little for her books. 1t so happened, that as
relaxation, let them at times during school hours
unite in singing. noticed tina. this girl had re-
maTkabe clear, sweet voice and said TO her,
" Jane you have good voice, and you may lead
IN the singing" She frightened up, and from that
time her mind seemed to be more active Her
lessons were attend To, and she soon gained high
rank. One day as was going home. 1 overlook
her with school companion. Well jane"
said l. you are getting along very well, how
happens IT,, you do much better now than at The
beginning of the quarter 2" 81 do not know why
it is," she replied. II know what she told me
the other day." said her companion.
And what was that? 2" | asked.
"Why she said, she DGs encouraged"
Yes, here we have it-she was encouraged.
She felt she was not dull in every thing. She
had learned self respect and thus she was encour-
aged
Some twelve or thirteen years ago, there was
IN Franklin school an exceeding dull boy One
day the teacher wishing to look at a word, took
up The lads dictionary, and on opening it, found
the blank leaves covered with drawings He
called the boy To him.
Did You draw these" said the teacher
Yes, sir said the boy, with downcast
look.
81 do not think it is well for boys to draw in
their books" said the teacher, " and would rob
these out if were you but they are we'll done,
did you ever take lessons"
No, sir" said the boy, his eyes sparkling
We'll, think you have a talent for this thing;
| sHouiu ike you W draw me something when you
are at leisure, at home, and bring it 10 me- 10
the meantime see how well you can recte your
| lessons
The next morning the boy brought picture,
and when he had committed his lesson, the teach
er permitted him to draw a map. The true spirit
was touched. The boy felt he was understood
He began to love his teacher He became AMI
mated and fond Of his books. He took delight in
gratifying his teacher by his faithfulness to his
studies; while the teacher took every opportunity
to encourage him in his natural desires. The
boy became one of the first scholars, and gained
the medal before he left the school After this
nc became an eOgraver, laid up money enough to
go to Europe, studied the works Of old masters
sent home productions from his own pencil, which
! found place in some Of the best collections oil
! GlntDgs, and is now one Of the most promising
artists Of his years in the country. After the boy
gained the medal, he sent the teacher a beautiful
picture as a token of respect and while he was an
engrsver, the teacher received frequent tokens OF
continued regard and doubt not, this day, no
feels that that teacher, by the judicious encour'
sgemenl he gave to the natural turn Of his MIND
has had great moral and spiritual effect on MS
| character.
The MoRMoNs--The Nsuvoo Neighbor says
that the Mmnons have nearly two thousand hVe
| hundred wagons completed for the journey to the