Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1845-06-06
To the Clergy Of the State Of YER
mont,
Reverend and Dear Brethren,


The subject Of Common School Education
has ever excited a wakcfu interest in the free
States of this country, and especially in New
England. The clergy have always stood on
the most forward rank in promoting this great
cause, and on their jealous endeavoFs aud sgen-
cy, its advancement must continue, materially,
10 depend
II cannot, we think, be denied that Vermont,
notwithstanding her indomitable spirit of en-
terprise, is pursuing less efficient means to i'm
prove Common School Education, Than the
other States of New England, or the adjacent
State Of New York. Ia view of this fact, ma
ny who anxiously aim at the moral elevation
and honor of our State, are grieved, and not
few deeply mortified The result has been va
riOus conventions to devise remedy. Al one
OF these, recently held at Middleburv, measures
were taken TO awaken attention in the commu-
nifty TO this important subject, and TO direct its
zeal to an suspicious result. Arrangements
were made to secure, for a few months, the
services of our distinguished feIlow-cilizen,
Thomas ii. Palmer, Esq. of Pittsiord. This
gentleman has been long laboring 10 improve
the common school system of Education, and
is, we believe, eminenily qualified TO advance
mentioned, the subscribers were appointed a
committee 10 address the clergy of the different
denominations in Vermont land 10 request them,
by effective notices, and by such modes ofcom-
munication To their respective cong regations as
they may think most proper to employ, TO pre-
pare the way for Mi Palme's visits and adj
dresses. When notified that he viii visit your
respective towns, you may render essential aid,
by efforts 10 secure him audiences, and by your
countenance and encouragement you may, per-
haps, give ien-fold influence TO his addresses.
There are special reasons why the clergy are
to be relied on, in all endeavors TO elevate the
character of our District Schools. What more
important and effective check, under God, can
be imposed on the balelul influences of the
sceptic and the fanatic, than a well educated
community! There is one circumstance of
fearful moment, Of which many, who deporr
the imperlections of our District Schools are
not probably aware. Our children and youth,
are not taught to read, in these institutions,
with concentrated attention. Thence they
read the Bible, as well as other valuable books,
with comparatively little profit. And often, az
ter having attained the meridian OF life, their
minds are so accustomed, by long habit, to
wander, and they are so incapable of giving an
undivided attention 10 any subject of reflection,
that they Tecoect very little OF what they read,
and of course turn but small portion of il 10
any account This evil il is most important TO
correct in the early stages of education, and we
think MIR Palmer will satisfy you, if you hear
him, that very much can be accomplished, in
regard to this, as well as many other defects in
early education, by improved regulation Of our
District Schools. The same observation which
has been made in respect 10 reading, is also ap-
plicable 10 hearing. The consequence is, that
our sermons and addresses too frequently fail of
effect;ng the results they are calculated 10 pro-
duce, because so many of our hearers have new
er been trained to the habit of concentrated at
tenton. We mention these points, as more
particularly pertaining TO the great objects which
our profession is, with Gods blessing, endeav-
orng to secure.
Permit us, also, to call your attention 10 9th
| er imperlections in our common school system,
as il practically operates among US. There are
often great defects in the location, construction,
warming and ventilation Of school-houses.-
| Teachers, too frequently, have not the requisite
qualifications, and generally there is not the SUI
pervison which IS necessary TO encourage and
| invigorate them in their arduous labors II is,
moreover, 10 be lamented, that many, even a.
mong the intelligent and wealthy, finding, as
they do, the district schools in a neglected and
low condition, instead Of taking measures TO ell
evate them to what they ought TO be, and thus
give them character and attraction, and the
power OF being more generally beneficial, re-
sort TO private schools, which though, perhaps,
more select as regards the rank Of those who
compose them, are often of quite as humble
claims. BY thus Withdrawing their patronage
from the district schools, those institutions are
thrown upon the less wealthy classes of the
community iOI iHcH support, ana are suffered
TO anguish, and sometimes sink into contempt.
You know, however, and so do the iniel-
gent part Of The community in general, that
while large sum annually raised in Yer
mont, by taxation and otherwise, our common
schools come vastly short of what they might
ensure, even under the existing legal provis-
ions, If teachers were selected with more care,
and were encouraged and melted, and perhaps
we may say guided, by the supervision which
should be Systematically exercised by those
who sustain the schools.
We commend Mr. P. to your courteous and
Christian regards, and hope that his labors, in
connection with your own efforts, and those OF
others who deplore the deficiencies of our COM
mon Schools will at least secure, as has been
done in other States, legislative provision for
the examination of teachers, and a reasonable
supervision of our district schools. Experience
has proved that nothing Of this sort can be an
ticipated as a general result, without the aid of
public Enactment
This is a subject on which, whatever may be
the diversity ofour religious opinions, we shall
all, we trust, agree. Nothing is proposed
which can possibly tend to the elevation or ad-
vantage Of any one Christian denomination over
another. The benefit aimed at, is TO be en-
joyed by all the citizens of the State, without
limitation or exemption. There is no room,
therefore, for any jealousy or prejudice. On
this ground we can ACT in harmony.
We trust that you will excuse us in taking
the liberty to address you on subject in which
we all feel common nterest-in which the
stability of our free institutions, and the vital
interests of our holy religion, are so deeply con-
cerned. Your Brethren in the Lord.
THOMAS A. MERRILL,