The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-09-06

aThat Education forms the mind
Just the twig is bent the trees Inclined,
And | presume few viii undertake to controvert
the position how vastly important it is that those
who have the charge of the youth, the keys Of the
sanctuary of knowledge, the control of the tender
mind in its plant plastic and lnclplent state ready
to receive any impression that the moulder may
impress upon il; that the hands OF the instructor
should be clean that his mind should be purified
and his heart regenerated; that his disposition and
temper should be under the most perfect control
then his education and requirements can be brought
into useful requlsiton; bat possessing the ole
without the benefit of the other must ever fail in
effecting the object desired Tie instructor should
possess such attractions that his pupils coad look
up To him to a loved and tender parent. who
would do nothing that wrong Having Sc
cured this position, a complete understanding ex-
lists stJetween teacher and student, and the mind oil
the latter=becoues susceptible TO any impre>S L
image that may be presented to i, and the art
of teaching then becomes pleasure as we'll 10 the
teacher as To the learner. But when no sgch at
fractions felt TO surround the instructor, he Is
cold and repulsive in his manners, his temper
his address unpleasant, his calculations short and
hurried as if he had some other matter before his
mind of more Importance, the recitations of his
classes are dry ard uninteresting, no pleasant eX-
position of hard dry rules, mingled with his illus
tratoas; his class returns from the recitation room
dscouray yed and dspirited, and no benefit felt to
The student. What can be expected from such
teaching but disatfection among his students, dis
satisfaction in employers and disgust IN the teach
er; and under such state Of things there is no
wonder why the minds of children are destitute of
interest in educational pursuits. and grow up like
the uncaltivated soil of the suggard full of the
rank weeds Of vice and profigacy-
There has been much reformation among teach
within few years past-there is still room for
more, aud | rejoice in the consideration that pro-
gressive steps are being taken in our adopted
State for their Improvement, that means are more
extended, avenues opened In various ways, for a
better state of things. This very Institution-ths
first official convocation of teachers called togeh
for the 6rst time in this county, having for its
object the further improvement of the brother
hood hope will do much good, and continue to
spread its influence over the whole State. The
monthly association of teachers in each county
should be steadily kept up, their meeting together
fiequent exchanging with unreser, ,edness and
freedom their views and experience in matters per
tanning to the profession, may be of incaiculabie
advantage: ideas occurring to one be COM
muncated to another, and be made useful to
all who are in attendance. The prospect of com
petent examiners being appointed to cXanilRe into
the qualification of teachers before they enter upon
their respective duties is another valuable addition
to our system, from which we may expect TO derive
much advantage.
Then can we ho G for more thorough system
of education, then we hope to see those in the
lowly walks of life, raised up to a common level,
and then | hope to those who, like myself,
have had to crawl step by stop slowly onward
whose minds act tardy, and who labor under ma
ny dissouragements III consequences OF the OH
tuseness Of their native talent but who under this
better state of things, have the pleasing intel
lgence whispered in their ear, that the day-star OF
their hopes had arisen to illumine the diml ylight-
ed twilight path they had early travelled and they
may be brought to see by patient and careful in
structors, and assduous labor, the bright picture
thrown open to the view which before was nvol
we'd in midnight darkness: that they may be ena
bled to reach as lofty submits IN literature, sci
aud art, as those who, by nature, have been
more bountifully supplied with brighter per
ceptOn.
There is another view OF this important subject
ofeducation to which wish to direct the attention
of teachers, well as all other persons who are
interested, and that is the custom which is adopt
ell almost everywhere on this continent, well as
on the Eastern of the propagation of Religions
Sectarian dogmas i'll schools L am fully aware
that this j, subject in the Investigation of which
will require much in order to adapt ii TO the
approval Of such of religious aihereats "a
have steadily neu Gated sectariau views. and in
deed have Invested large sums Of money for this
expressed object. In the examination oil this
ject, | shall endeavo- to be frank liberal and gen.
erous 70 respect the rights of ali religious perSua
sions, bat hope to be able to show that to preiI-
dice the minds of the young. and forestall them in
certain religious rituals aud proposes their minds
in favor OF this or that particular sect or party is
wrong. | hold that all members of the
same great famiiy-are accountable 10 the same
Universal Parent for our acts of commission, as
well as those of omi ssion-that a | stand upon
the same great platform of equal rights-have ac-
cess to the great fountain OF light and know
ledge: and that in the proportion of our honesty
of purpose and devoted sincerity of heart in flI-
filing our duties to our God, and to each other
in that proportion our acts are acceptable in His
sight.
dn this system of sectarian Eiucatiou the miads
of The Young are bassed to particular shade or
complexion of things-to regard this peculiar view
right. aad that one wrong-to respect mis d 10
slight tha!-to lore one, and TO hale the other;
shis IS the effect OF Sectariaa education and far
this effect extends it is gst fatal to the exen-
ion of human happiness, if it be exerted by the
Papist or by the Protestant The evils arising
from this system are similar difference from
what source they -emanate. the education based
on this system must therefore be incompete-is
one-sed. inculcaes and fosters bitterness OF spirit
towards the sect or party opposite its own, eBgen
ders strife in the human family, and is opposed 10
that pure, holy and universal precept of doing
unto ali men would that they should DO untu
us which l consider the most valuable equitable
noble and inst principle that can actuate the miHd
of man Education, therefore, that is based upo-
any other principle than this unire,Sa! one mas
be wrong. And vet see scattered throu thou
the whole land, wherever any are found colleges
high schools and seminaries of learning devoted
as they profess, to the inculcation OF right princi
Piles, having these hidden monsters, these odou:
hydras with many heads and many horns insinua
ting their fatal poison into the innocent minds O
the rising generation. Oh, save rs from such de
lusion, Would that l could appeal TO those who
are called Ministers of the GOSPEL, who should bt
the 'sayiors of the people. 10 exer, their potent
arm in arrestiny this frightf1l evil; men who art
occupying the most pFomnen. places in society
and could exert much influence Tor geod-whoss
counsels might stay the troubled waves of dis
cord. and heal the dSSentious that exist anone
men. But, alas. such an appeal would be mad,
in VAN l have very much feared that much o
their Influence hss been been lent TO the support
this very scheme which is producing such nische
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