The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1858-04-08
FOR THE JEFFERsoNIAN.
THE TEACHER
As he was, is, and should be.

ual development of the human intellect
can be afforded, than the contrast between
the present and social condition of the
Teacher. In the earliest ages, the Office
of Teacher and Of Slave was so pearly
allied that the ancient Greeks expressed
both By one word PAIDAGoGoS, from
which is derived our word 2occlag0eue -
! These individuals were commonly the
property of Kings, who used them rather
as servant, and companions for their chill
dren in their sports, than as Instructors.
Diol0ruS SiculVS mentions somewhat
remarkable instance Of the Use to which
certain Teacher was pct, in those bar
barian days, 10 describing the celebrated
Argonantic Expedition to the shores OF
the Pontus in search ofthe Golden Fleece
The following is nearly a literal transia-
;ion:
Ills (Phrixu-) Teacher, named Crios,
was sacrificed to the gods, aud his bod y
being skinned, the skin was hung up in
the temple accordin! to a certain custom.
After this the Oracle having announced
to Aietes (the king) that when strangers,
sailing to his coast, should carry away
the skin of Crios. he should be compelled
to die, they say that the king fortified the
place and stationed over it guard, and
in addition to this be gilded the skin in
order that by appearance it might be con-
>idered by the soldiers, worthy of a most
diligent protection. If is permitted for
those who know these things, to judge for
themselves concerning the authe nticity Of
the story"
And truly all the wild extravagances
of beatheu Ny thology should not he re-
ccived as gospel truths, nevertheless there
are many things to be considered and
learned by a careful perusal of it, con-
ceruing the manners and customs Of those
supersttious ages.
A Teacher sacrificed, fayed, and biz
cuticle converted, for aught we know, in
to patent leather! Think of it, ye Teach
ers of the Nineteeuth Century!
But let US look at the Teacher as be Is
in our own time and country. Writers ofall
grades and shades Of political opinion
unite at least upon the subject of the CON-
petent Teacher, the magnitude of his Of
fee, the vastness of his influence. And
the Teachers profession as a noble one
its Importance can not be overrated. 1t
is one, upon which more than any other,
the future destiny of the Republic de-
pcnds.
What signifies it, iftbe men ofthe present
day are wise, energetic, and industrious,
if their children grow up stupid, dissolute
and idle: what if Utey enact good laws
for our government, if their SUCCESSORS
make bad ones what if the nations cap
itol be adorned with all that science aud
art and learning can borrow from anti.
putty, with all the ight of liberty kindled
IL more modern times, if those into whose
hands that capitol will soon be con6ded,
Je careless Of their privileges and iguo-
-aDt of the method of perpetuatiug them;
shat If the nations forum thunder with
be eloquence of old Athens, in the cause
If Freedom, if it is soon to be filed With
FOWLS of discord, and groans of dismay
What if her Senate house be radiant With
he choicest intelccts and the conceUtra
ed wisdom of the age, if that radiance is
oon to be immersed 10 the murky filth
1 ignorance and crime what though We
ave now for Pilot at the helm, a man /
{ known skill and integrity, if be is to
e succeeded by one who has neither the
tliity nor the will to guide us past the
hoals and quicksands. And is it not to
he tboro ugh, conscientious Teacher that
'e are to look for the training up and
isclpllnlng Of our future legislators and
ulers! What responsibility then rests e
pom the Teacher How important that
oOd Teachers, and zone other be EN-. !
loyedl How incumbent upon parents
nd guardians to exercise the utmost Wig c
ance. that their children be properly \
arcd for at school! But we wander from )
ur subject. F"
The Teacher is identified and interwo. r
en- With the early history of our country.
olloWiDg the footsteps Of the earliest p- t.
neers, into the western wilderness. with CT
le spelling book in one hand and the al
xe IN the other, be felled the forest. G. =
ected catius, cleared the soil, and in.
ucted the urchiDs of the settlement into ell
le rudiments of an English education. p
nd 1t is from such schools have come ia
'me OF the brightest stars th at ever ;llu.
mated the literary. political or soc;.l