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

petals on the bosom OF Jesus. The little
earth-fower was "big enough for Heav-
EN-"
RESPONSIBILITY OF PARENTS II
EDUCATING THEIR CHILDREN.
am aware that have selected an old
subject; one that has been written upon
and talked upon until it may seem to be
exhausted. may not offer one new idea,
or add one thought 10 what has already
been written. Bul these hints may fall
into the hands of some parent, for many
such there are, who has never read, or
thought upon the subject, or, at most has
never thought farther than this, that if
his children are sent to school his Iespon-
sibility ceases; if so, read this pray you,
and may it seem to arouse your mind, in
some degree, 10 sense of the fearful re-
sponsibility resting upon you; response
bility which you cannot possibly transfer
TO another. Think not because your chill
dren have reached an age when it be-
comes necessary TO call in the aid ofsome
one to assist you in educating them, that
your responsibility ceases, or lessens.-
No! Every true hearted, intelligent pa
rent feels when first he sends his children
forth, that their minds may be modled
and fashioned by stranger, that he is
but augmenting his own responsibility
A thrill of deep anxiety perVades his
whole being as he sees them depart for
school, and from the inmost recesses of
his heart, comes forth the prayer. 'God
grant that my children may fall into the
hands of faithful teachers Think not
either, if you have gone so far as to erect
splendid edifice in which your children
may be educated, that your work is done.
That edifce may have cost thousands Of
dollars; you may have had sleepless
nights thinking how ytn are going to be
able raise the amount required of you TO-
wards defraying the expense of that
building; but after all this the most diff
cult part of your task is to come. 1t is
far more difficult 10 find a teacher suita-
bic TO discharge the duties 10 be perform
ed in school house, than it is to build
the house. Unenlightened selfshness
may say that is no. so, but educate that
scl6shness and you viii acknowledge that
| am telling universal truth. What is
it you want of that teacher? what are you
about to intrust to his care? Is il mere
matter of dollars and cents? If it were
SO, the apathy which prevails in the minds
of many parents would be excusable, for
these will soon pass away. But these
are not the treasures that you are entrust-
ing TO him. Immortal minds have been
put into your care by god himself. You
have been made the recipients of treas
ures to improve for him, undying spirits
for you TO mould for eternity, and you
employ an agent 10 assist you iii mould
ing those minds. Now is it not import
ant that you ask, and ask with interest
too, what kind of an agent shall employ?
If your child was sick, you would think
no pains too great for procuring the very
best physician in the country. You would
not employ mere quack who made the
practice of medicine an occasional busi-
ness 10 fill up vacant hours-a minis
ter, or lawyer by profession, but doctor
from necessity when his profession failed
to rePlenish his empty purse. No! You
would procure one whose profession is
medicine; whose whole soul is enlisted in
the best means for curing dis
cases, and beneftting his race physically.
Now will parents be less particular when
mind is at stake? when the eternal inter-
ests of their children may be depending
upon their choice in the selection of
teacher.
1t is not book lore alone that is neces-
sary TO fit one for the office of teacher
Though "a thorough knowledge of what is
to be taught is all important, yet there
are many TO whom the sciences are as ia.
niliar friends, to whom you would not be
wiling ID intrust your children for day.
rhe teacher should be person of high
oned morality, and strict integrity of
'urpose, one whom nothing can divert
rom the standard of truth-one who can
each by theory, but far better by prac-
ice. Children are creatures of imitation, 8
md they viii learn by example. The +,
rery relation of teacher and pupil, is, in ,
high degree calculated TO inspire conf.
ence, and no sooner is the first spark of ;
'onf1ence inspired in a child's heart, ,
han that child to commences to learn Of :
i'm in whom he has first learned to re-
'ose confidence. How soon does the .
eacher become the oracle of the child
What parent but has heard the teacher :
ays so brought forward as an argument h
1hich even the parent could not be per- .
nii,ed to gainsay?
But not only in his words is he their .
racle, but in his actions, his daily man. q
ers, and habits. II is universally ad- S