Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-12-24
Educational.

We heartily commend the following circu-
lar to the attention of parents and others who .
are interested in home education. The meet
ings for the discussion of the subject of home .
education last winter met with gratifying sue
cess, and awakened an interest in this impor-
tant movement which should not be suffered :
to die out. We trust that meetings will be
held at least once week in every city and
large town of New England during the COM
ing winter to discuss this subject The good
which must result viii De incalculable;
ATTENTION INVITED TO A USEFUL MOVE /
MENr
Our material interests are evidently ad-
vanced by public gatherings and the living
speech Common schools and Sunday schools
are improved by conventions and institutes.
Why shall not the same methods be adopted
in behalf of societys first and most vitality
important school-the Family; Is there not
need Why cry about economy in the eX-
penses of the State Yet look at this fact:
About one-sixth part of the time of public
school teachers is taken up in the manage
mcnt of disorderly pupils. Of course, about
one-sixth part of the immense amount Of mo-
ney paid for school education is lost from its
appropriate object. And why Mostly be-
cause of the failure Of parents in their own
previous duty to these pupils. Again, how
enormous the cost of our criminal courts and
penal institutions. The largest portion of it
might be saved by oevating and purifying
that first Of all institutions-the Home. Be
sides, how are our sensibiities daily panied
and our fears excited by accounts of vices and
crimes in all grades of society injustice in
business, intempcrance, RIGHTEOUSNESS, frauds,
embellishments. thelts, burglarios, robberios
hre-settngs, stabbings, murders. This vast
expenditure of money and these terrible WISH
tations might be very greatly diminished by
early. night, and continued culture in the
home Now why shall we be so slow in get
ting understanding How long shall Wis
dom cry and wait and wall at our gates I;
However, sumo little opening, at length, has
boon made. The educational meetings and
discussions held in Boston and vicinity last
season were most successful experiment and
a decided step onward. There was a full, Of
ten crowded, attendance. Some, even of
the most intelligent parents, acknowledged
their obligations 20 them as the source of new
or clearer views and wider comprehension
of the subject. The young seemed as much
interested as the heads Of families themselves.
They felt that they were thus most essentially
preparing to make and deserve happy homes
of their own in the future. The numerous
and touched the hearts of very young children
while they fastened principles and ideas on
the memories of the older.
The State has its birth in the Home. Here
grows up good or bad citizenship. Here i,
the chasm Of deficiency in which is sunk near
ly one-sixth of our school moneys. For thi'
reason, the series of meetings at the Stat,
House formed new era in the advancement
of the Commonwealth. The Governor, him
self, presided on the initiatory occasion
Thus, for the first time in history the caus
of home education was carried into the CAPT
tol of the State, and made to look forth upoi
the people and speak forth to them undo
the highest auspices.
Now, shall this intellectually important wor
stop here from the lack of laborers to carry
on; We, who participated more or less i
the movement of the last season, cannot bu
hope that similar meetings will be held tn
ensuing winter. We would earnestly beseec
our fellow-citizens in all our cities, towns an
villages, to take up at once this true, this il
teresting, this surest method of reform. w
invite Woman to a sphere of reiormatory az
ton Of which nobody can complain. We as
the young to gather and listen and learn wit
the rest. Weentreat clorgymen. school teacl
ers and others Of influence to take a lead
the measure proposed.
To facilitate arrangements, it is suggesto
that the subject may be considered under Il
following heads, each one Of which will pr
sent numerous distinct points for discussion
/. Physical Development and Health;
Authority and Obedience in the Family
Conscientiousness A. Loving A Elections
Home and Benevolent Action Abroad 8. r
lations between the Home and the Schoo
G Selection Of Books and Methods of Rea
ing; I. Amusemonts 8. Taste for the Bea
tiful in Nature and Art; o. Manners |
The Choice of Business Vocation and Il
Preparation for IL; H. Education for d
Rights and Duties Of Citizenship; II Re
gious Culture.
WARRES Burton, HENRY HoYr,
c. {. FELTON,, JosEPH STORY,
GRO. S. boutwell,, s. X. IoTHRop.
john ID. PHILBRfcK, JoHN WARE,
MARTIN MooRE, Gro. h. EMERso
Gro. NJ RANDALL, WIN, A. ALcoTr