Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-04-21
For the Ypsilanti Sentinel.

this department., by stimulating the public
mind.
For ifpublc opinion is formed, somebody must
form it. If the youthful mind is moulded some
body must mould it. If our nation has charac-
ter, somebody must give it character. If the
youth are tending towards fearful destiny,
somebody must aid in directing that fearfuldes-
tiny. Who shall be if not the instructor of
the youth! Look now, at the hundreds
and thousands of teachers in our land holding
in their hands the mind of this nation, and
moulding it as the Potter forms the clay,
and then Judge what are their powers of doing
good or evil, of creating happiness or misery.
Is not their advice almost as good as law, to
their pupilsa Their suggestions sacred, and
their decisions not to be repealed Next to
The public ministers of re igion, (if second to
ANY, they stand, to give law, and principle and
character and tore of action TO this whole ma
ton, and through them to the world. 1t may
be pretty clearly determined, what will be the
character of this nation fifty years hence, by
determining the character of this great mass of
teachers; they will have fac-similed of their
character upon the youthful mind, indelibly i'm
printed. | do not unjustly augment their i'm
portance. l do not over-rate their power; do
not exagerate the weight of their influence. Of
whom do children speak with the greatest ap-
APPARENT reverence in after life. | speak from
personal experience. None will be held in high
er esteem, none will be remembered with more
ardent affection than beloved Instructor; even
revered father and beloved mother will have
to divide the affections of their children with
the teacher whom they tenderly love. What
strong attachments are formed between an af-
feetionate teacher and his pupill A few short
months changes them from entire strangers, to
friends for life; friends under all circumstances.
How sad and painful the final closing day of.
school oftenis.when all crowd around the teach
er with tears to give him their salutation, and
bid him final adieu.
Does not the utmost importance then attach
itself to the business of teaching the rising gen.
Grafton. Were | asked, Who'll supposed were
to affect our civil and religious interests, most
to affect the affairs Of the wide world? ] should
not hesitate to say, in my opinion, the public
ministers Of religion, and the instructors of the
rising generation, were most prominent actors.
If this is truth, then their business is far above
the mere aborer who affect nothing above the
present moment.
A moments labor may affect interests and
create influences that will live to the close of
time and affect those yet unborn.
This then is no mean employment. 1t is
no ordinary occupation. No contemplate cal
ling. And should be most Justly classed among
the learned professions. II should be looked
upon as of the highest Importance, it should be
made business for life as an honorable calling.
| am induced TO think that teachers are not suf-
ficiently rewa rded for their labors. A good
teachers time, land influence cannot be reckoned
in dollars and cents; a poor ones ought not to
be. Let teachers consider the Immortality of
their pupils, the unwasting energies of the
minds they mould; their ever charging capa-
city for business or misery, the boundless field
of investigation. Let them consider how soon
their pupils may be removed from the scenes of
instruction. Let them take into the account
all the relations they must sustain in life, and
the duties they may have to perform, and how
ever fitted they may be to instruct they will
shrink from the task.
Now, say, let teachers remember that they
are training immortals. let their instructions
be such as shall give their pupils right view
of the relations they sustain in the various inter-
ests of life. Let their government, be such as
would secure their own affection and obedience
in the same circumstances.
need not ask whether severe treatment
would affect their own minds favorably, especi-
ally if often repeated, and for slight offence
doubt not, the day is drawing nigh when NOR
al influence, kind and tender words; when reas-
oning with students as reasonable beings, will
instead of the rod, be generally adopted and
their beneficial influence and tendency felt.
Why should not teachers meet together and
compare views upon these important points,
The association of a few teachers, their con-
situations and deliberations, and the result of
their combined wisdom and experience might
produce great revolutions, less important events
have determinedth destinies ofempires OF king
doms. The flying of bird from the mouth of
cave the moment the Prophet Mahomed pas
sed, determined his course and has given to
one. third of our world, spurious religion.
If the interests, the stability and the very ex-
istence of our nation rests upon virtue, and
the diffusion of general intelligence (and who
disputes it,) then teachers are class ofcitizens
with whom we cannot at all dispense, with
safety to our nations interests. They are the
safeguards ofrepublican institutions, with their
increase or diminu ton, our safety or danger is
connected inseparabIy. Would it not then be
as strictly in accordance with the design OF an
animal collaboration IF tho birth dav of orr indie