Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-09-03

yfactice the preceptS they teach. In
speaking of school discipline, | have
already adverted to the necessity of
gaining the confidence and respect OF
youth, by cultivating in our own hearts,
disposition to promote their own
happiness. We should endeavor to
govern, not with the arbitrary sway of
a despotic ruler, but with the mild and
attectlonate authority of a good parent.
BY this means the school room will
lose its repnlsive character; it will not
be considered as place of painful and
gloomy restraint; but as scene of af-
iectionate intercourse, and mental ex-
ertion. In our daily intercourse with
children, frequent opportunities will
be afforded to illustrate the principles
we wish to enforce, to point out the
beauty of virtue and the deformity of
vice, to show them chat the one con-
ters happiness and respect, and the 9TH
er entails misery and dishonor. In
order to instruct them in the cardinal
principles of Christianity, we must set
before them the example of Christ, in
his humility and purity; his active be-
nevolence and unwearied love. The
New Testament may with great pro-
priety and advantage be read in
the schools, and the duties it enioins
should be recommended, but in schools
made up of different religious sects, it
is obviously proper to abstain from
meddling with doctrinal points, and to
avoid all sectarian teaching. Surely
there is in the benevolent principles of
Christianity enough that is common to
all religious sects, to enable us to teach
what is requisite to fulfil the duties of
life.
Having now taken cursory view of
the principles that should govern US in
the establishment of common school
system, l will advert to the duties that
devolve upon us as members Of the
great human family and citizens of re-
publican government. It has pleased
the author of our being to endue US
with feelings and affections that lead
to social intercourse; we are dependent
upon the community in which we live
for much of the happiness we enjoy;
and from the same source arise many
of the evils that we suffer. We are
therefore deeply interested in the pros
perity of the world around US. If ig-
norance, incompetence and vice pre-
vail, the effects will be felt not only by
their unhappy victims, but their cor
ruptlng influence will coun,eract the
efforts of the wise and good, and poi
son in the minds of youth the very
fountains of public morals.
We are therefore called upon to ex-
ert ourselves in this good cause, by ev-
cry consideration that can influence a
rejecting mind. Not only by motives
of religious duty, and feelings of SYM
pathy for our fellow men, but by an
regard for our own inter-
ests, which are inseparably bound up
with the welfare Of society.
The learned, the rich and influential
portion of the community, have been
neglectful of their duties in
regard to the interests of education.-|
They have allowed their attentian to
be engrossed by the cares of business,
or the exciting politics of the day, for
getful of the sacred obligation that rests
upon US to transmit unimpaired to The
next generation the intellectual and
moral treasures we have derived from
the past, and to contribute our share
in promoting the progress of the hu-
man mind.
After a few years shall have passed
away, many of the topics that now ag-
itate the minds of men will cease to be
remembered, or If remembered will be
considered of transient Importance
Not so, the principles that are instllled
into the minds of yonth;-these will
operate when we shall have gone hence
to be seen of man no more; the seed
that is sown now will spring up and
produce fruit for future gene1ations.-l
If it be good seed, it will be productive
ofpeace and joy, but if it be evil, the
harvest may be gathered in tears and
blood.
How desirable then, that this work
of enlightening the minds and impro-
wing the hearts ofthe rising generation
should be undertaken and earnestly
pursued by those who have influence,
talents and virtue to ensure its success.
Nor should the effort be confined to
those of our own sex, for the female
part ofsociety is as deeply interested
and as fully prepared as ourselves for
some Of the services it requires. Let
me then invite Won to take mart with lis