Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-11-10
For The aRahsman's Journal.


The season for the commencement of winter
schools is not far distant, and it becomes the
duty of directors to see that school houses are
IN order, the window lights all set, plenty OF
good fuel provided, broom, pail, cup,
black boards; and even outline maps and
globe should be provided, and some attention
paid TO the comfort OF both the teacher and
his pupils. If colds, sore throats, and sick
ness occur to either the one or the other, as
too frequently happens, resulting in death from
neglect Of duty on the part of the directors,
the latter should be indicted. They are the
holders of a sacred public trust, and if they
betray it, they deserve TO be arragned before
a criminal tribunal, as they certainly will be-
fore high heaven. The parents should see TO
it that their children go to school in season,
and be provided with books and all the appa-
ratus necessary for instruction. Some parents
are so unreasonable as to pronounce teacher
ninny, and yet expect him to impart instruc-
tion to their children without the requisites
send them with piece of book, perhaps not
another like it in school, and one or two days
out of a week: and then expect to see some
great change in the education OF their chill
dren. This class of persons are very often ex
tremely patriotic, so much so that their chill
dren are even imbued with political spirit
before they know their 4 3 Cs. Let them
come early, regularly, and neatly dressed; no
matter If it be coarse in texture, provided it
be strong, well made mp and well fitting. The
humblest dressed boy in school. if he is orly
neat and clean in his appearance, will be much
r.r
is sIouch. And above all things, sustain the
teacher; if you would have good school. and
have your children improve in their studies,
you must aid him in the enforcement of his
rules. Do not say when your neighbours boy
gets punished that sit is all right and then
fall to abusing the teacher when the hagelation
comes home to your owu door. IL almost in
variably happens, that when you see a man
habituaIly finding fault with school teachers,
that ne has a bad set of children, and if we
reason from analogy, must suppose that he
is no better; answering in the negative. by his
own conduct, the inquiry in holy writ-'sDo
men gather figs of thorns or grapes of thistles?''
The most difficult, harassing, and patience
trying business in the whole range of human
employments, is that of teaching a district
school; and it is improbable for teacher
to go through a winter school and do his duty
without having fault found with him in some
quarter, as it is for rich man to enter the
kingdom of heaven. / speak from observa
ton and experience. Teachers are not infal
lible; they are but human and liable to err
IF they do wrong unintentionaly, You should
not fall to and berate and abuse them, bu
rather sympathise with frail humanity. Pa
irons, You should remember that the teacher
if in duty, has very great care on his mind
he should remember that he is training i'm
mortal minds and act accordingly,-mind:
that will expand and mature through all etcr.
nifty. How vastly important it is then, thai
he should instill into the youthful mind noble
and generous principles Of virtue and morali
ty- He is influencing their destiny for more
than the present time. There is something
far beyond, infinitely grander, immeasurabIy
more enduring, inconceivably yaster, which
shall begin its endless duration, when tim,
shall be swallowed up in eternity. A.B.T.