Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1857-12-08
For the Telegraph.


LITERARY SENTIM ENTS.
Mr.. EDIToR,-llilherto, and now, the un-
dersigned has chosen to treat the subject OF
education upon its intrinsic merits, for every
tub shoull stand on its own bottom without
undertaking morality, at the same time, or at
tempting to divorce Christianity from supreme
scholarship. On the contrary, he has uni
tormly contended that literature is not only
the'sovereign remedy for curing ignorance,
but that it is the great moral agent for reform
ng mankind and for augmenting mate rial
wealth. This appears evident from the fact
that classical England, the German states,
and France, have not only the most classical
literature, profound scholars, phlosophers,
and stateSn EN-; but, those countries also excel
other nations in material wealth; while, on
the other hand, benighted Africa, without lit
erature, and the aboriglnals OF America, dwarf
down to mere an mal existence. 1t is moi
the object of the writer to attempt t o prove
what is self-evident; but to quicken The edu.
cational pulse in those who take but partial
interest in elevating the standard of educa
ton, and to urge the Importance of thoroughly
educating the incoming age, for on the chill
dren depend the future prosperity of our
country, and the perpetuity of its free nsti-
tutlons. 1t cannot be too strongly urged upon
the attention OF teachers, that TO educate
children rightly, they must study the capaci-
ties and dispositions of the pupils under their
charge. Hitherto this has been done either
Tor the purpose of ascertaining the parti cular
sphere of activity to which they may be adam
ted In order that their mental energies may al;
be exerted in that direction, or with exc lusiye
reference TO the moral training, the Importance
OF which cannot indeed be overrated; vet pa
rents and teachers should study the mental
and moral constitution for more important
ends than even these, for the sake of supply
ing deficiencies when they have learned what
is wanted. They should strive not OILY TO
"form the common mind" but to make every
mind fit for formation-capable of bearing
fruit worthy of cultivation. Good husband.
men do not resign their fields to briars and
thistles' even though they may have discov-
cred that these are their native productions.
BY no means! When they have acquainted
themselves with their natural defects, the v at
once apply themselves to uprooting them, and
preparing Soil fitted for something useful.
Thus 1T is with competent teachers. They
first Prepare the minds of their pupils, by their
own amiable examples and by Observing a
clock-work system in school, for without per-
feet order there can be but little positive gain
or mental discipline, and then by teaching
them the value of forming studious habits,
good principles; for these are as needfuI as
training them correctly in spelling, reading,
mental arithmetic, and the other every DAY
branches; for correct habits, good principles,
and intelligence, make the most reliable and
efficient men and women. On the prevalence
and success of good schools, depend all the
improvements in agriculture, mechanics, sci
ence, government, and society generally.
...... ........ X. BISSELL.
Middleport, O., December, 1857.