Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1858-07-01

vince the people tnat you are III earnest In you
movements.
There are none more thoroughly convince
OF the necessity of primary instruction tina
business men or those who commence the stud
of one of the professions; in either case, the
find 1t absolutely impossible TO advance singh
step intelllgently without such knowledge, ant
how inconsistent and derelct to duty are thos
| parents who give little or no attention to thi
essential part Of education, but are ready to eX
pend hundreds of dollars for an academic or col
leglate course for their children. Vain deu
| sion AS we'll might they attempt to builC
without a foundation. Such procedure car
but end in modification and chagrin to theil
children and disappointment of the reasonable
expectations of society. But such we find &c
be the case all around US. 1t is general com.
plant among business men that none of their
clerks or apprentices are thoroughly drilled in
these primary branches--bad spelling, poor
writing, inaccuracy in arithmetic, or some vio-
iatlon of Murray mark their every step,-and
that such is really the case there is every rea-
son to believe. And such result reflects dis
credit somewhere. The more rash would un-
heSltatingly blame the teacher, the teacher
might blame the scholar, the parent mig hit
blame all. 1t becomes you, then, as profess
sion, to ascertain what part Of the blame falls
to your lot, and to endeavOr TO remedy it and
by thus doing, perhaps you may work reform
IN the detects of others. The school-rOom
should be made cheerful by your own cheerful
coHntenances; the exercises should be made
interesting and practical, so as to draw out the
thinking qualities Of the mind, as the term edu-
cation implies, and to apply the example so as
to make it tangible. Thus the hearty CO. opera
tIon OF parents and 4 regular and prompt at
tendance of pupils will be secured. In this
practical age, children as well as adults like to
see some utility in what they are doing, and if
once convinced of this, their labors will be much
more cheerful; but, to study from week to week
and from year to year, without seeing some
practical end TO be attained, is to them so much
time and labor thrown away, and they long to
see the day when their school hours shall be at
an end, and they be able to get at some kind of
practical business. Hence we sec SO many en-
gagng in business even III their minority, or
Impatently waiting their majority. little
pains on the part of the instructor would easily
show them such utility and silence all their OBJ
lectlOns and mpatience. The school-room too,
and its furniture should occupy share of your
attention in your efforts TO advance the interests
OF education. An easy chair, comfortable desk,
plenty Of light, aud fresh air, all promote the
Shpiut HChitH anu COuIlOIts uuu u uISpOSILlOu
to cheerful labor. Neat walls, a clean floor ii
mat or scraper at the door, polished stove, a
pretty boquet, tidy habit, all have a wonder
ful influence in developing the taste and pro.
noting refinement in the habits of your little
charge. uniformity Of books and regular
plan OF exercises will enable you to accomplish
much more in less time than by any other ar
rangement; aud it is to be hoped that some
such uniformity will soon be brought about by
the influence of this and similar associations
These are n1ttGrS which are intma ely related
to your calling, and should receive share Of
your attention. Your charge is a most ilnpor-
tant one, and unless attended TO properly by
yourselves will be neglected by others. 1t is
undylng mind you have to do with lit is not
so much for the present that you are laboTing,
as for the future,-it is not for the material
part of man, but the immaterial and immortal.
Then 20 forth deeply impressed with your re-
spOnslbllltles, looking not for your reward in
this life but in the life to come. The time will
come, aye, it is near at hand, when your servi-
ces shall be more highly appreciated and re-
warded. ! see indications for good in your pre-
sent movement, aud in other similar and stimuli.
taneOus movements throughout the county aud
State. | see indications for good in the inter-
est manifested in your discussions here from
Llille " Tune, uuu IIOul tue ReHcTdI awakening
shown not only 10 this State, but throughout the
country, and other Christian countries, on this
most important subject.
Another means whereby you may be enabled
to elevate your profession in the estimation of
The people, is, statistics. Show them the mate
ria! upon which you have to labor the number
of children that ought to be educated, and the
or rather the great disproportion of
10 NXhO oonl1 loo a.,
facts thus revealed by such statistics with in
difference? The statesman will remember that
among this number of children are the Presi-
dents, Senators, Representatives, Governors and
officers OF all descriptions, who are TO fill the
places of those who now occupy them,--the
petriOts who are to stand up for their country
in times of peril, ready to make any sacrifice
for the maintenance of the principles for which
our fathers shed their blood. The philanthro-
plst will see in them those who are to carry out
the plans of benevolence, thirty-three years
hence, now already set on foot and TO devise
other means which shall tend to elevate and
expand the human mind. The ministry will
see in them those who are to preach the Gospel
to the many millions of our own and other
lands, and to carry it where it has not yet
spread. The historian, too, must be found
among them, who shall make a true record of
passing events. Among this number must be
found the farmer the mechanic, the tradesmen,
the bone and slnew of society,-upon whom
all others must in great measure depend
And last, though not least in importance, among
the rising generation are to be found those who
must be the educators of millions yet unborn.
And who are to educate these Who must in
still into them the love of truth, virtue and So
briefly, principles of integrity and habits Of in
dustry In what other period of their lives
must they be taught the necessity Of a due
submission to the authorities of State govern
ment At what other time but in their youth
should they acquire taste for mental culture
Who is 10 bring before them the examples OF
the worthy heroes Of our revolution, who
thought it not too great sacrifice to pledge
their property, their hives and their sacred honor
for blessings of the free government we now
enjoy. And who shall teach them how properly
to appreciate and exercise the duties of Anne
rcan citizens Yourselves, with the many
nnm o. oa ornd in DIN, "a.