The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-09-06
POWER OF KINDNESS.


The night of mind is gone! 81
POWER OF KINDNESS. s2.1
The power of kindness in school teaching is
beautifully illustrated in the following anecdote,
which we extract from the answer of Hon. Hor-
ace Maun to the rejoinder of the masters:
'Tn town not thirty miles from Boston young
lady, who aimed at the high standard of govern
ing without force, and had determined TO live or
die by her faith, went into a school which was far
below the average in point of good order. Such
were the gentleness and sweetness OF her manners
and intercourse with her pupils that for few days
there was nothing but harmony. Soon, however,
some of the older pupils began to fall back into
their former habits of inattention and Mischief
This relapse she met with tender and earnest re-
monstrances and by an increased manifestation Of
interest in them; but it was soon whispered among
the transgressors that she would not punish, and
this added at once to their confidence and their
numbers. The obedient were seduced into diso-
bedience, and the whole school seemed rapidly re-
solving rto anarchy. Near the close of one fore
noon, when this state of things was approaching
CTlslS, lne tedCneT ieSuidi cAciSiscS
of the school, aud made an appeal individually to
her insubordnate pupils; but finding no hope-giv-
ing response from their looks or words, she return
ed to her seat, and bowed her head and wept bit
terly. When her paroxysm of grief had subsidized,
she dismissed the school for the morning. After
intermisson she returned, resolving on one more
effort, but anticipating, should that fall the alter
native of abandoning the school. She found the
pupils all in their seats. Taking her own she pau
sed for moment to gain strength for her final ap-
peal. At this juncture of indescrbable pain seve-
raj of the rngleaders rose from their seats and ap-
preached her. They said to her that they appear
ed on account of the school, and particularly on
their own, to ask pardon for what they had done,
to express their sorrow for the pain they had eau
sed her, and to promise, in behalf Of all, that her
wishes should hereafter be cordially oheyed Her
genuine sorrow had touched spot in their hearts
which blows could never reach, and from that hour
the school went on with degree of intellectual
improvement never known before; and like the
sweet accord OF music, when every instrument
has been tuned by masters hand, no jarrIng note
ever afterward arose to its perfect harmony
Story FOR CHILDREN.-A farmer bought
five peaches from the city, the finest that were to
be found. But this was the first time that the chill
dren had seen any fruit OF the kind. So they ad-
mired and greatly rejoiced over the beautiful
peaches with the red cheeks and soft pulps The
father gave one to each of his four sons, and the
fifth to their mother.
In the evening, as the children were about to
retire to sleep, their father inquired, Well boys,
how did the peaches taste'' r-
Excellent, dear father. said the eldest, ut is
beautiful fruit, SO juicy and. so pleasant, have
carefully preserved the stone, and will cultivate
tree for myself. ..... ..,
We'll done, said the father. This is husban-
dry to provide for the future and is becoming to
farmer
{ | ate mlne,' exclaimed the youngest, and
threw away the stone, and mother gave me half
of hers o, that tasted SO sweet, and melted in
my mouth
'You,' said the father, have not acted very
prudenty, but in natural manner. There is still
time in your life to practice wisdom
Then the second began, picked up the stone
which my little brother threw away and cracked
it open, it contained kernal that tasted as good
as nut And my peachI sold, and got for it mo-
ney enough to buy twelve when go to the city,
The farmer patted him on the head, saying that
was indeed prudent, but 1t was not natural for a
child. May heaven preserve you from being
merchant e
'Andyou, Edmund" inquired the father.
Frankly and generously Edmund replied, Il
carried my peach to George, the son of our neigh
Dor who is sick with fever He refused to take
it, but laid it on the bed and came away
NOW, said the father, who has made the best
use of his peach?
All exclaimed, Brother Edmund i
But Edmund was silent; and his mother embra-
ced him with tear standing in her eye. ~
Time, patience, and industry are the three