The Lambertville press. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1858-1???, 1859-08-04
Lambertyille. No.. Aug. 4, 1859.
Our Teachers.


Turn in whatever direction we may it is i'm
possible for us to find q more striking iustra-
ton of the arrangements of Providence than in
the position of the teacher. The ideal view of
his Office is one of the grandest and nobest that
can enter the mind. Call it the craftsmanship
among those intellectual and moral forces which
have the welfare of society committed to their
guidance, and the language, Sc far from ap-
preaching the borders of extravaganza and bonn
bast, is justified by the more sober reason. And
yet, despite this great outstanding fact the tea
cher has his soul crushed by burdens, which the
pride, ayarice, and meanness of tyrant task mas
ters have imposed upon it The majority of
American people regard education as a valuable
piece of machinery, It truly is the machinery
of factories and railroads-only in a more Gig
nltled form. 1t is commercial thng-appre-
ciated in accordance with the laws of trade
1t is an organic part of an earthly system-a
most expert means of training the eye to sharp
looking, the hand to quick dexterity, the brain
to an efficient fundamentally in business purpo-
ses The position of teacher, what then is it to
I'LL If teacher fail to cultivate the pruden
tai virtues of human life, if he neglect the great
practical everyday qualities that are needed for
sagacity industry and thrift, he certainly falls
short of his responsibilities We consider the
teacher, in specific sense, one of Gods agents
in the performance of great and noble work
To form men to just and respectable citizen
ship, SO they can honorably discharge the duties
due the commonwealth; to fit them for life and
to develop their faculties so that they can an
swer the ends of an earthly existence. and at
the same time contribute their share of effort
toward the regeneration of human society," is in
one sense, the teachers vocation 1t is divine
work nc has to perform A portion of his labor
ny Its nature and results, is incorporated with
the psesent construction of society. It may be
seen in the industry and skill of thriving popu-
lation. 1t may be seen in smiling homes and
crowded thoroughfares of business. The earth
iy magnihcence of civilization attests it's presence
and exalts its recognized power Men feel that
there is not enough of dignity attached to teach
ing; and furthermore, that the results of our
present systems of education are not what thew
should be. Teaching has deeper, broader
basis than trades and professions It belongs
to mind as mind, springs from the essential con-
ditions of its present state, and involves the
whole system of Providence in its mode of deal
ing with mankind Other men in their business
relations to society, may be viewed as the pro-
ducts of civilization, a sort of after growth,
that the diversity and complexity of the social
state call into existence Not so with the posi-
ton occupied by the teacher Society affords
him field for action, but it does not originate his
responsibilities, nor define the measure of his
duties. Next to the preacher should be ranked
the teacher for as one is the minister of grace
the other is the minister of providence When
ever the teachers work is elevated to the rank
God has assigned to Whenever men enter
upon it as upon hallowed task, meet its trials,
bear its burdens, discharge its Duties by the mo-
tives and for the glory of the cross of Christ,
then shall we see the quick gathering of new
splendor on our nations sky.