Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-12-20
For ne Ea,ssrs Times.
School Papers. No. 8.

habits, the manners, the general condition,
health and behavior of the pupils.
j The success of this depends upon those who
have the immediate charge Of the household
and the school-room.
What may be the precise condition Of the
soul or spiritual nature after the death of the
body, 1t is not given for man to comprehend i;
but this we do know from universal analogy,
that where existence is continuous, causes act
ing in one part must have effect upon another.
He who cver-stimulates, who stupefes, who
brutaizes, or who in any way dstorts his
spiritual nature in time, may be affecting its
condition for eternity.
We have honest and earnest preachers, who
set forth, continually, the Unreasonable value
of the SOUL and who warn us against every
thing that may put it in peril but when the
schoolmaster shall have taught the people to
see the beauty and sanctity of the body, and
close connection between its condition and that
of the spiritual nature, then the preacher may
avail himself of the labors of the Psychologist,
and teach that He who numbers the very hairs
of our heads, does continually hold US respon-
sible for the condition of the body, and pun
ishes US, and through us our children, for ev-
ery sin of omission or of commission. Until
then, great must be the harm, and sin, and
suffering, arising from the gross ignorance and
grosser errors concerning this matter, that so
| Ia, Whom loa1oro
are blind, Of course we all fall into the ditch.
1t is true that there are distinctions made be-
tween the mind of man and the soul of man,
but these are as likely TO be false az to be true.
If false, then they lead 10 grievous errors in
practice, which if consciously made, would be
| henous sins against our spiritual nature
Men who would shrink with horror from the
thought of selling their soul 10 the devil, do,
nevertheless, So live in the body as to give it
over to his dominion during this life, and it
may be, give him mortgage upon it forever.
Vague and speculative as these general con-
siderations may seem, they are intended 10 set
forth and to illustrate The importance of attend
ing to and caring for the condition of the body,
especially in the training and education of our
children. Numerous cases can be cited, TO
show that there is really close relation be-
tween physical causes and moral results where
none would be suspected by the casual observ-
er. We must not shun or finch this material
istic view. 1t is the only sound one, and those
who would treat children successfully must act
upon it trustfully and fearlessly. They are
weak who deny it. They kick against the
pricks who oppose it. 1t stands manifest. 1t
is an ordinance of nature; and it is character
lied, like every other ordinance, by divine wis
dom and benevolence. Nor is it important
that teachers alone should admit this princi-
pie. Parents in the true interest of their chill
dren, should understand it and act accordingly.
To train the intellect merely, to impart
knowledge to the young, is comparatively an
easy task for SO doth the soul thirst for
knowledge, that it will attain it even when
half its avenues are blocked up; and sponge
placed in water will not more certainly imbibe
it than will the mind of man take in knowledge
of the condition of things with which his
body is surrounded. AS for intellectual knowl-
edge, only set it before any children in the
proper shape, and they will take it as surely
as they will their food. There are very few
who have not committed excuses of some kind
in reference to the health of the body, and es-
peciaily in eating and drinking. Among the
punishments Of excuses are morbid appetites
and diseased body. Morbid appetites grow
into ravening propensities, which, like Acta-
on's hounds, rend and devour their MASTER
Besides, these are deeper cause of intemper-
ance than is suspected. 1t is very easy TO see
how millions upon millions of material value
would be speedily added to the common capt.
tai, if all people lived in accordance with the
laws of physical health. But what arithmetic
shall compute the moral gain, and show how
greatly sadness and suffering, and crime would
be lessened, and how pleasure, and enjoyment,
and virtue would be increased.
Now in the training of youth, the teacher
should be well informed and act faithfully in
this matter. No teacher can be excusable for
neglect of duty in reference to the children
placed under his care. The faithless teacher
is guilty of the deepest wrong, for which the
parents and children have no redress. Before
the committee or The parents are aware OF it,
the teacher may have committed an evil the
influence of which shall reach through eterni-
ty. And both parents and committee are slow
to see, and'when they see slower TO act on this
point than any other in reference TO the school.
Very few, if any teachers, ever think, before
commencing teaching, what are its duties and
responsibilities and too many pass along
without ever learning all their duties and re-
sponsibiities in the education of the pupils I'M
der their care. And too many parents will
find fault about some rule of the school, some
lesson or place in the class, and about which
the teacher knows much better than they do,
while the grossest errors in reference to the
health and manners of their children are al
lowed to pass unnoticed. This ought not SC
TO be.
Nothing is of more importance, and hither-
to, nothing has been more neglected in oul
methods of school arrangement, than conve-
nient and proper play grounds, large and con-
4 venient entrv-wavs and DRESSING rooms for the