Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1855-11-14
PRIMARY SCHOOLS.
nY MRs. LYnIA VI. sIGOrRNEy.

BIZ MRS. LYDIA II. sIGOURNEY.
Much light on the great subject of Educa-
tion, has dawned upon the present age. Yet
broad wastes are still unilluminated. s.There
remaineth yet, very much land to be possess
ed" The theorist may have made prosper
Gus way through the wilderness of conflicting
| opinions; but the practical teacher seems yet
TO stand upon Pisgah, exploring varied and
| beautiful heritage, not yet fully reclaimed
from the heather.
Philosophical writers have laboured TO IL
| lustrate the different departments of mind
They have unfolded its chart, and said, 'shere
is a stream, and there is mountain. and there
a valley.'' B ut have they told US how the
stream may be guided until it becomes riv-
cr =? how it may fertil;ze and gladden. its banks,
! until it meets the sea? Have they pointed out
among the rocks, and tangled foliage Of the
mountain, the sunny spots which are capable
of culture or ornament? Have they instruct
ed us, how the valley may be best made rich
for the harvest? how its fruits may be safely
gathered into the garner of eternal life?
1t is the province of the faithful teacher to
enter the field which the philanthropist has
described; to test the validity of the precepts,
which the sage has promulgated. And is not
this Office as honorable as it is responsible p
The Emperor of Russia has directed the fe-
males Of his family to engage in the work of
instruction, and in st. Petersburgh are sever
al schools over which they preside. The Pa
cha OF Egypt has induced an English lady to
take charge Of one hundred female pupils at
Cairo, and to give countenance to so strange
movement in i Mahemcdan realm, where it is
doubted whether women have souls, Misplaced
his own daughters under her tuition. The
King of Greece treats, with respect and con
fdence, the lady from our own land, who ed
ucates several hundred children at Athens,
and causes to be supported at her school
delegation Of girls, from the different provin-
ces Of that classic cline. Ifthe rulers of the
Old World, even in some of the strong holds
of despotism, are disposed to show honor to
teachers. our own country, where right ed
ucation is enphatically the safety and defence
of tho people, ought not to be backward in
following the example.
1t is but too often the case, that primary
schools are undervalued, or their interests
committed to unskilful hands. The assertion
is sometimes made, that s:any one will do to
keep school for little chiIdren.'' Any de-
cayed, ignorant woman, unable otherwise to
earn living, whose dim eyes fail TO guide the
needle Alright, or from whose palsied hand,
the distaff had fallen, she is pronounced fit to
gather around her the freshest, youngest spir-
its; to spread out, and to inscribe at pleasure,
the tenderest, most impressible page of hu-
man existence. Should this be so? Is he who
builds house inattentiye to its foundation p
he who would erect a pyramid, careless to
give solidity to its base? So, they who aid
the mind in its earliest Developments, should
be qualified wisely and efficiently to use their
delegated authority.
Primary schools are assuming more impor-
tance, in the opinion of the public, as the ne
cessty of moral training becomes better un-
derstood. Intellectual education was former
ly considered almost the sole object of schools,
and the culture of right principles pursued
only far as they advanced or impeded it,
Yet is it not rather the true order of things,
to give the highest place to that which regu-
lates duty here, and affects our happiness
hereafteri If so, Knowledge should be en-
listed in the service of Virtue, as powerful
ally; for we have too often seen, that when un-
controlled by such sacred influence it has been
placed on the throne, its tendency is to blind
and wayward, to selfish or criminal courses.
five view the intellect as an instrument By
which We arrive at the heart, those who edu-
cate the young should make every science,
every lesson, an adjunct in the culture of right
dispositions and correct conduct. Under such
a system, the pupils who are least advanced in
age, may prove their most promising subjects; |
for their hearts ripening sooner than their un-
derstandings, are more readily reached, more
easily modified, less permanently injured by
evil habit or example. Formerly, they were
held in promiscuous schools, as sort of him |
drance or interruption to the elder classes
To keep their station on hand bench with
their little feet vainly reaching after the floor;
to study strange characters; to be occasionally