Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-09-23
FOR THE YOUNG.

A School meeting was once held in
country village, for the purpose of dis
cussing the question, Whether an in
FAINT class shall be formed 7" The min
lister and teachers took up the question,
with spirit,-all admitted It's importance
difficulties were started, but one by
one they were set at rest, save and except
this, Who is to be the teacher ~
Over and over the question was put
One name after another was suggested,
but " all with one consent began to make
excuse" The failure of the plan SEEM
ed imminent, and the discussion was on
the point being postponed, sine die,
when up rose man IN one corner of the
chapel, who unobserved, had been sit
ting, musng, till the fire burn ed. His
words were few, but earnest, " Sooner
than the little ones shall have no teach
err, sir, III try TO do it" All eyes were
turned upon the volunteer. He was a
tall, dark visaged, ill-condiiioned looking
man, and people stood amazed as they
recognized in him the village blacksmith
OF all men he seemed the least likely
to attract children. His voice was harsh
and his countenance and manner rough,
and almost unpleaslng. No one could
believe it possible that he was in earnest.
But he was, and though the smile went
round, and the sceptlcal whispered their
doubts, that man went home resolved
to try He did try, and for months,
while every one supposed the work
abandoned this teacher was training
He felt difficulties. He had to learn a
new language. lie borrowed of lady
some children's books, and taking Mrs.
liooker's Bible Stories, he set himself to
work He read and thought, shutting
his book, he tried to write the stories out
in his own words. Early and late he
toiled at these appointed tasks. Often he
failed, but at last like Bruce's spider he
succeeded He had learnt the secret
He had acquired simplicity of thought
and expression. He had brought do wn
his mind to the level of child's mind.
1t was now time to begin. He was a
wise man. Not parading his triumph,
but watching his opportunity he made
his first attempt. In the dusky after
noon of a November day some little ones
stood at his smythy door, watching the
bright sparks shooting out from the glow
ing embers OF the blacksmith's forge, as
they were now being quickened into a
blazing fire. They had occasionally
wandered there before, to feast their ewes
on thIs woudrous scene, ddd to listen to
the roar of the mighty bellows: but some
times the man had spoken roughly &c
them, and even now, as they looked
they seemed undecided as TO whether
they dared to stay. But this time the
backsmiths face, seen by the reflection
of the fillul flames, wore a different as
pect and as he turned his eye upon
them, the children felt more confidence.
Edging nearer TO the door, they gather
ed courage, and gradually ventured in.
The smith spoke. His voice no longer
gruf' and harsh, was kind and pleasant,
and now he spoke 10 them, not at them
= as before. They listened as he talked,
) His heart was encouraged, and their lit
! tie hearts warmed with strange liking TO
, the altered man. He drew the heated
bar from the fire and made it the subject
E of the first lesson to his new infant class,
and the first school-room was the village
forge. That man has now one OF the
best infant classes in New England, and
a hundred little ones rejoice to call him
> friend and teacher.
Children and youth-neyer say can't
G to good cause, but always say-FHT Try
y and you will do it. What ought tC
e be done can be done.