Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1859-06-23
For the Times.
ARROW Rock, ],

Arrow Rock, June goth.
MR. EDIToR-Dear Sir: Permit us through the
medium of your paper TO make few remarks
upon the subject Of education It's subject in
which we have ever felt deep interest, because
we consider ii of so much importance and so cs-
sential to our greatest usefulness and happines.
An educated mind Is passport in any commu-
nity. mind well stored with useful knowledge,
is treasure that is indistructible; no can rob
US of it. While all other sources of enjoyment
are evanescent, and sooner or later fade, it has
within itself the elements of satisfaction, and can
fall back upon Its own resources and find relief
when all extraneous objects fail to please. Un-
fettered and free it roams 10 earth's remotest
bounds. With one mighty conception, the i'm
mortal mind grasps tire universe, vls's the PIdurts
and treads among the stars. When the sun shall
be darkened. the moon turned TO blood, the stars
vc heaven foil from Their sockets, and all the
wheels of nature cease to roll, the undying mind
shall still Eve-drinking deeper and deeper still
from the pure fount of wisdom, which flows from
God alone, and through endless ages, approaching
nearer and nearer to perfection.
How important, then, is the selection of those
who are TO preside over the dawninf= and advance
ment of the youthful mind; we should secure such
a, will properly and thoroughly instruct them
II is not so much the business of the teacher TO i'm
part knowledge 10 his pupils as to teach them to
think end show them how to educate themselves.
That is, he should rather teach them the way to
the fountain, than carry them to the water. The
time usually spent in teaching children principles,
the reasons of which they do not understand, is
worse than lost. It is teaching them 10 resign
their faculties to authority; it is improving their
memories instead of their understanding; It is Civ
ing them credulity instead of knowledge, and il is
preparing them for any kind of slavery which
may be imposed upon them; whereas, if they were
assisted IN making experiments; induced to attend
to the consequences Of every action; to adjust
their little deviations, they would collect facts
which nothing could controvert. These facts
they would treasure up in their minds as secure
and eternal truths, and in time they would be
formed INTO principles of action, which no circum
stances or temptations would overcome. Such a
course would form men and wemen who would
answer the end of their being and make themselves
and others happy.
On Friday, the 18th inst, we had the pleasure
Of attending the annual examination and exhibition
of the students of Elm Ridge Academy, under the
care Of ]. II. SANBoRN, NJ. D., and I am con-
strained to believe that il is of the few Instlu
tions where the above system of education has
been pursued. During the examination of the sew
eral classes, the pupils evlnced an originality of
thought and depth of understanding, which could
only have been secured by suitable training; and
they acquitted themselves with much credit, both
to the teacher and pupils sho wing that By the ex-
ertlons of their teacher and their own diligence,
they have been put on the high road that leads TO
the true fount of Wisdom. Among the exercises
of the examination. by no means the least import
ant and interesting feature, was the display OF
specimens Of drawing, crayoniug aud painting, by
the pupils of Mrs. Sanborn, evIncing that the or
namental as well as the useful branches have been
carefully attended 10, and diligently taught.
The exhibition would have done honor to an
Institution much stronger in the number and ad-
yaneement of its pupils. We have heard but one
opiuion expressed in regard TO il, which was
that Of entire satisfaction. Ina word, we regard
II complete success--eyery part being performed
with extraordinary ease and exactness.
Many Of the characters were played with an
almost inimitable fidelity, and called forth rounds
of applause. The Orations were all Of supe-
rior order, and show the authorsto be young men
of great promise. We think it by far the best ex-
bibitron we have ever witnessed in the State, and
doubt if ii can very soon be equalled. The Frus-
tee. have reason to congratulate themselves on
having been 50 fortunate as TO have had the servi-
ces of teacher, so well qualified 10 instruct. If
such closing exercices could be witnessed every
year, Elm Ridge Academy wouid' soon take
rank beyond what if has ever yet attained. We
feel satisfied that when institutions of learning
throughout the land can compare with Elm Ridge,
education will have taken npid strides toward
perfection, and mankind viii have become inf
nitely wiser and happier.
mo. C. PRICE.