Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1858-10-20

objects. Hence we often ask, what were
the early associations which surrounded
an individual, when we wish to judge of
his character. A child reared amid flow
ers, and taught to love them cannot fail
10 possess an amiable disposition. They
will weave themselves into the rugged
recesses of his nature, and their lowell
ness will be transmitted by the child
If this be true with regard to inanimate
objects, how much more powerful the in
fluence which one whom the child looks
up TO as his superior in wisdom and good
ness. Is the teacher coarse, and uncoulh
in his manners, how soon do we see his
pernicious example terminating in his
pupils. If he is so, or if he is addicted
10 any of thoee habits which intelligent,
refined society discardS as low and inju.
rious, let him not desecrate your school
house by his unhallowed presence-for,
be assured you cannot compel your chill
dren 10 pass through fire, and expect
them 10 come out unScathed. Let the
outward and inward self of the teacher be
that perfect model which you would wish
your children 10 initiate. But an indi-
vidual may be this, and still not be fit to
teach. He must not only possess knowl-
edge, but he must know how 10 irnpart it
to others, in the language of the great
apostle, 'he must be apt TO teach and in
order to de this, teaching must be his
business, his profession. He must love
ii; and must feel that it is as high a call
ing as man can aspire to. That it needs
no high sounding title to give il dignity;
but that 10 be a teacher is dignity enough.
Shun that man who says he makes teach
ing stepping stone TO something higher.
Be assured he will never magnify his
Office He is one who knows not the
worth of mind, and realizes not his re-
sponsibility in thus tampering with the
mysteries which God has hidden in the
soul. Much more might be said to prove
that a fearful responsibility rests upon
parents in their choice of teachers; but
let US glance for a moment at the man
ner in which this responsibility is often
met. How much oftener do we hear the
parent ask what wages does the teacher
ask! then what are his qualifications
And on, how often has a dollars differ
ence in the price, sent away teacher Of
he highest grade, and substituted one,
whose unskillful hands will mar the i'm
age of Deity, and blight the youthful
mind, so that its opening beauties never
can unfold.
But if after you have erected your
house and furnished it with teachers fully
competent, you stop, and think you have
all the responsibilities resting
upon you, you will find that you have
come fearfully short, and all that you
have done may be lost; for teacher may
faithfully discharge ell his duties, yet if
you fail to cooperate with him, but little
good can be done. The teacher NAV, in
his efforts to correct every immortality,
have succeeded in pointing out some vice
of which he knew some one of the pupils
Was guilty, in such hideous light, as to
cause the heart of the child 10 lcathe it;
and resolve never again to practice it, yet
a word from The parent, may be sufiicien!
to rekindle the smoihered vice, and that
word may sacrifice the child. A word
from fault finding parent has often re-
versed the current of healthy influence
which was beginning to be felt in the
school room, and utterly counteracted
Efforts which if they had been left to their
ssue, would have given high moral and |
character to the school. III
you have aught against the teacher, go 10
him and state TO him wherein you think
lie has done wrong; but as you value the /
of your child, beware how
you speak in his presence. Be not hasty
n forming your opinion upon the "say
so' ofothers, but before you Judge, inves-
igate. If your child is not making that
proficiency which you ;hink he ought,
'efore you condemn the teacher, seek to
now the canse. Ascertain how many
planted errors the teacher had
D eradicate before he could begin TO
each. See if he had not formerly been
ut into the higher branches, in order to
acilitate the teachers method of enlarg-
lg his ''fye dollar classes" even before
e understood the first principles of the
mailer branches. See also if you are
OF in some degree responsible for the
low progress of your child. Go TO the
,acher's register and ascertain how
lany days the scholar has been absent,
nd remember that no teacher should lie /;
eld responsible for the improvement of
he scholar that loses one lesson. If !;
;holar that loses lesson is ever able 10 ,
nderstand the lessons after it. be CRATE :
al to the teacher for taking upon himself .
n extra task, that of explaining sepa. ,
ltely to your scholar, when he should :
ave been there and learned with his ,
ass. Remember that all the sciences !
-e founded upon principles so intimately
,nnected together, that child that loses :
lie lesson, can never make any further
lccessful progress any more than he can