Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-06-14
For Tie Eastern Iimes
School Papers. Mo. 8.

| to receive the most careful attenuon vohoulu
it be ntrusted to ignorant and superficial adj
venturers, who, through misfortune or want
of success in some servile employment, turn
their attention as last resort to teaching
It is thus that the profession has been brought
into dsrepute. The community look upon II
as mental occupation-one that can be taken
up at any time without preparation. Now,
who but society is responsible for this want Of
appreciation charge this low estimation
of the teacher upon society.
Look at the miserable caricature of the ped
agopue, which is but the embodiment of pub
lie sentiment; wretched old man, of attenu-.
ated features and pointed nose, whose grizzly
hair and bent form, and glaring ,eyeballs, and
bony hand, bearing aloft the uplifted scourge,
betoken that his origin is from below, and that
his business is to wander ==sIiuug the tombs
and torment the people before the time. And
as the eyes of the community are turned upon
him, he is regarded as prodigy of stratagem
and dishonesty; and the wonder is that a
character so dangerous to the peace of society
should be allowed to run at large.
But let us be serious, and consider the
standard to which every teacher ought to as
pire, and by which all teachers ought to be
willing to be measured. Let Us consider how
vast are the responsibilities, how incalculable
the interests committed TO him who is charged
with the moulding of mind. Who can de-
!
him who would offer his services for such a
work. He must have large and reverential
views of God. He should look upon man as
a fallen, sinful being, still bearing the impress
of divinity upon his brow. He should pity
him in his abject state, and deplore the calam-
ity which has befallen him. He should point
him to the cross, strive to guage the value of
his soul, and in Imagination trace its pathway
of glory or of shame in the endless cycles of
his being. He should also have mind
properly cultivated, and stored with useful
knowledge. He must be apt to teach
He must be able to govern himself, and never
yield, however strong the provocation, to the
impulse of passion. 1t is here that many fail.
They give way to angry denunciation, and
forever lose the charm, the talismanic power
Of government. A person of sour, morose
temper should never be intrusted with the
management of youth. His presence is like
the nightmare, fitted only to scare. The
teacher should never deceive his pupils. He
should win their confdence-should be mild
yet firm in the administration of discipline
should study the characters of those commit
ted to his care, and adapt himself to their Pc
culaities of temperament and habits for nc
two are exactly alike, and each, consequently
requires treatment peculiar to himself. Hence
the necessity Of GOODNESS and elaboration or
the part of the instructor.
When teacher applies himself TO his task
he should aim to educate the soul of chile
in the very highest sense he must set before
him all lhe faculties of the soul he mus
have ability, not only to see the naked truth
but Imagination, which leaps far beyond the
actual, to the conceivable and possible, by
which he passes the flaming bounds of time
'...J space, hnlJs cnn~orse with an eternal in
telligence, and anticipates Immortality. HI
should possess taste, which is susceptibility
to the beautiful in art and nature conscience
vicegerent of God in the soul; and ,oiH, TIT
most imperative of the prerogatives will
which man has been invested Is that man al
educator, who ignores conscience, religion
taste, imagination; who overooks the noble
affections and passions, which cluster aroun,
the heart, and devotes himself to making ;
knowing animall
No, our businesses educators, in the sane
tity of our homes, in the school-house, III TIL
highways, and in all the relations Of life, j
! to remember that those powers were given b
God to be developed by our guidance an
training. The teacher, too, should be an ca
ampl. for the imitation of his scholars hi:
character must be above reproach, and his &C
tions be the counterpart of his precepts; els
he may lecture till dOomsday without. produc
ing any good effect.
Such are some of the elements of a goo,
= teacher. But where are these TO be found
Alas alas, for the infrmities of humanity
In closing this article, permit me to say
that in laboring to subserve the interests Q
: education, we have great and noble wor
before US. Let us do all we can to furthe
that work, in our daily walks, and in the re
tiremcnt of our homes. Let US always hav
good word to speak in behalf of the tru,
teacher, and when we find such an one bray
!, ing the heat and burden of the day, instead o
: putting false construction upon every act o
his life, let US cheer him forward with word
! of hope, and bid him not to be weary in wei
doing, for in due time he shall reap, if he fain
not.
A heather poet has taught us chat it il
sweet to die for our country. Is it not sweete
TO hue for it to carry with us the glorious
: consciousness that in all our tolls, even tn,
humblest as well as the highest, it is our am
bition to be the friends of every good work
and the benefactors of our land and of The
world N. A.. w.
Bath, June 11th, 1855.
e The rain of the past week has given a
49,, E,oo 60 ,,,~o.,,;on All 49, NJ, r.,