Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1855-12-21
The Teacher and Parent.

HE winter seasoh ~ rapiaiy approach
ing, and the people are beginning to look
around for their sehool-teachers; than the
selection Of which there can be nothing Of
greater Importance; yet in many localities
this important responsibility is unfelt and
unapprsciated. When We reflect that the
most tender interests Of the child for this
world and for eternity, are 70 be intrusted
10 the teacher, that be is to train up the fee
blest and most helpless of all creatures into
godlike sovereign of animated creation;
and that one misstep may forever ruin and
blast the immortal soul, ii is truly astonish-
ing that so great indifference exists in COM
munity in regard to this subject. have
often thought, if angels ever leave their
bright homes in heaven, and hover unseen
around the abodes of men, if ever they feel
an anxious solicitude for the future DESTINY
and welfare Of man, it must be when the
teacher enters the school-room to discharge
his high and holy duties There he exerts
an influence in The formation of character
which extends, not through time only, but
through eternity. The minds with which
he comes in contact are tender and i.,press-
ible, and he can mold them at his will, eth
er for the glories Of heaven or the darkavx
of perdition.
Parents who are fully conscious of their
responsibility in properly educating and
trimming up their children, must feel deep
and lively interest in securing the labors of
devoted and well qualified teachers. They
car. not throw off this responsibility without
fearful foreboding Of the future. Too
many OF our teachers enter the school-roon
without that enlightened conscience and no.
bic purposes which are ever demanded. -
They can easily engage in the holy and sa-
cred duties of the Office, without prepara-
tion, but 1t is not SO easy to undo the mis-
chief which mistake may produce in the
development of the mind, at that tender age
IN which mistakes are most fatal. Ignor-
ance will not excuse the teacher, for he has
assumed to 6ll place where ignorance it
self Is crime; and the responsibility is
still on him "Just as true as it is a great
thing to guide the mind Alright, just as true
as it Is a deplorable, nay, fatal thing, to
lead it estray, SO true is it that he who at
tempts the work, whether ignorant or skill
full, whether thoghtless or serious incurs I'll
the responsibility of success or failure; a
responsibility be can never shake of. as
long as the human soul is immortal, and
men are accountable for such consequences
of their acts as are capable of being fore
seen.' Yet many give not only no aiten-
tion to any preparati on, but resort to the
business from sordid and selfish motives,
and frequently from conscious unftness
for any thing else. 1t is not so in 9th.
er professions, and should not be SO in
this.
Let the teacher, then, be impressed with
the overwhelming Importance of his posi-
tion; let him 90 to bis work with thor
ough appreciation of its responsibilities; lie,
him devo,e every power of his soul to q
thorough preparation for its duties, and
above all, let him 60 to it with motives
which are puro and holy before God.
Parents, would you have mora, religious
! intelligent, thorougbly-qualiied, kind, and
affectionate teachers, to train up your
children, you must use discretion in making
selection. And when you have selected
your teacher, do not place him in your
| school-house with your children, 70 work
all alone, but visit him, in school and out
| of school; talk with him in reference TO the
progress of your children, and of his vari.
GUS plans for promoting their moral and
intelligent growth; encourage him BY your
smiles, your visits, and your counsel, a.
we'll as by your dimes Let him know tha
you feel an interest in the prosperity of the
| school, and he viii labor with renewed en-
thusiasm. When you employ one to feet
your pigs OF calves, you are sure 10 visi
them, and inquire after their welfare, an,
why not feel an equal interest in the vel
fare Of the immortal souls ofyour own off
spring? Parents should awake to the res
possibility which rests upon them. Th
question should not be, what is the loves
price for which We can get teachers but
where can VIC get one who is thoroughly
qualified, Intellectually, morally, aud phys
lcallr; ono who feels the responsibility o
his cfice, and who understands the capa
bilities Of the human toull God graut tha
the community may be aroused to sens
of their duty. T. B. Il.
December, IS55.-CAristidn advocate
Recent advices from Utah territory stat;
that fha Qraot Calt ~ IVA, L.. L.,