Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-04-20

aff z9t Written for the Eastern Times.
To Rev. s. F. Dixie, .tJs o.tGiI
DEAR SIR Forced az we are by ruth
less hand, to sever the relations which have so
long united US as teacher and committee, al
low me to express to you my sincere thanks for
the uniform kindness you have always shown
me. The object of our labors and of our sym.
pathles, although we have had different parts
to play IN the execution Of it. has been the same.
Standing as you have, between me and my
pupils in the department of instruction on the
one hand, and those who have committed the
education of their children to me, on the other,
you have been called upon to act az the con-
servator of important interests. Happy am
to bear witness to the faithfulness and impair
TALLY with which you have executed your
trust. You have turned aside from the avoca-
tons of your professional calling. and gener-
ously devoted part OF your time to our public
schools. In this labor of love, you have the
conviction of having rendered an important
service, not only to the scholars in our city,
but to the community in general. You have
cast your influence on the side of sound learn
ing, and diligently labored for its advancement.
With the other worthy members of the Com
mittee, you have helped to raise our public
schools to position which ought 10 be the
pride Of every citizen I
Tho advantages Of your labors. however,
have not been confined by geographical limits !;
they have been extended TO the towns adjacent,
and to the State entire. Our schools have be-
come an object of afectionate interest to the
Committee, the teachers and alarge part of our
citizens, and they feel very deeply any attempt
to mar their beauty or impair their usefulness.
Here is rallying point, free from all party
pickering and narrow dogmatism. where good
influences have been impaired and received.
Here, there are ties that bind, and sympathies
that kindle. known only to spirits of kindred
mould. lis here we have learned much Of the
human heart. Childhood wears no disguise.
Unlocking at our schools in commercial
point of view and this is a view that is often
taken of things in these days-it has been seen
that our schools are no disadvantage TO the
community. Property suffers no depreciation
on their account. But on the other hand, they
create wealth. They sustain the responsibility
Of wealth. That money is Of little worth with
out intelligence. But you have labored to
show that the true value Of education is not TO
be measured by the revenue il secures. 1t
strikes deeper chords. 1t touches more vital
interests II deals wish the impeFishable mind
1t takes hold on eternity, and tracks its way 70
the very throne of God.
am also happy to refer to the good feeling
which has marked all your deliberations and
counsels as Board OF Committee. You have
indicated by your conduct, the desire to sink
all considerations of personal character, and
to labor for the welfare of the many. Our
views on all the leading topics of education and
classification in my school have harmonized.
1t is to this fact as much as any other, that the
prosperity of my school is indebted. A house
divided against itself cannot stand. tl GgAV
To you, Mr.. Dixie. are these remarks rartic-
ularly applicable. You have labored for our
schools in season and ont Of season. You have
done what you could for their prosperity.
have always found in you q faithful friend. and
true and enlightened friend Of popular edu-
cation.
And now, in retiring from the Board of Com
mittee. let not the memory of our morning
gatherings, the song of praise, and the sweet
incense Of prayer, ascending from young hearts.
soon be effaced. Let the impression Of them
deepen as years roll on, and mingled feelings
Of Joy and BADNESS I'LL the soul, as you glance
over the catalogue Of those familiar names.
And in extending to us-the parting hand, may
you bear away with you-the recollection Of the
many happy years have passed together.
May your days of usefulness and happiness be
long continued. N, A. WEST.
Rev. s. F. Dixie, , tf rr-.t
Bath, April 18th, 1854. .rr.