The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-01-12
For the Standard.


In all the vocations which were ever fol-
lowed, there is, perhaps, none upon which
rests so many weighty responsibilities, and
is attended with SO many petty trials and
vexations, and heart pangs, and every act,
at the same time, has such an immediate
and powerful influence on community as
the vocation Of the teacher.
The faithful teacher strives and struggles
to overcome difficulties--to eradicate some
evil, to implant some noble, high born
principle thereto do what is for the pres
ent and future good Of every one eutrust
cd to his or her case praying earnestly for
guidance from on high that every duty
may be discharged faithfully and conscien-
tiously. u
The true teacher knows no difference in
rank or station. Each one of bis scholars
possess an immortal soul, from which, if
possible, every evil must be eradicated,
aud good implanted in its stead; each one
possesses mind which must be cultivated
and nourishcd with suitable food; aud if
there is even ono in the little flock who is
wayward, idle and careless, how many
hours of heartfelt pain, of serious consid
Grafton, is spent on their account-and
what have they for all their pains and
trouble? All! Too many times they have
nothing but bitter invectives, heartless con-
formations, and unjust accusations from
unthinking parents aud guardians. How
many there are, who listening to the ex-
agerated accounts of their children when
they are in the heat of passion, condemn,
as it were, without judge or jury, make
unkind remarks, and, perhaps, withdraw
them from their care and instruction. To
such, we would say-in the first place,
know to whom you are sending your chill
dren-know that they are actuated by
pure and unselfsh motives, and that they
are striving for the highest good Of those
entrusted to their care, and then trust to
them implicitly-think that they are capa-
bic of judging what kind of books your
children shall study, where they shall be
placed, whether their disobedient acts call
for reproof and punishment, and in what
degree. Don't imagine your teachers to be
like some ferocious animals, ready to
pounce upon your child and half kill him,
at the slightest provocation, but know that
they have human souls like other people,
that sooner than do wilful wrong to your
child they would sever the right hand from
their body, or pluck the tongue from the
roof Of their mouth, and in order to do
him good they will be willing to make al
most any sacrifice, however great.
If anything occurs which does not seem
quito right, visit the school, and we will
be ready and willing to give an explara-
ton, for we have no hidden mysteries, no
dark dcns which may not be exposed to
the light of day; and, doing every thing
with due moderation and forcthought, and
in the fear of God, we are willing at any
time to be called to an account, when, if |
we arc convinced Of having committed an
error (for teachers, as well as others, are
liable to err sometimcs,) we are willing,to |
acknowledge, aud do differently; but, if,
praying to God for light and direction, our
conscience still stands clear in His sight
regardless Of rcproaches, snccrs and cen
sures-we have nought to do but to press
on in the path of duty, hoping that if not
here, hereafter our reward will be great.