Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1860-11-22

NJ. Edior.-Although there are great
many who endeavor to raise objections to the
numerous " fandangled" notions which, they
say, have crept into school teaching and the
school system in these latter days, all thinking
men agree that there has been II vast improve
ment made within the last few years in the
cause Of Common School education. This is
not only the case in one or two particulars,
but the revisions and changes have been so
numerous, and the advancement SO great.
that we may say there has been almost an en-
tire revolution in educational affairs in the
noble old Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
since our late school law has been in force
As great many old fashioned arrangements
have proven to be far from the best. we find
few modern shallow Drained individuals who
endeaVor to discard all SUCH while in not a
few cases they can give no otherreasons than
that they are, IS they are pleased to term
them, old fogyiSms Just az though our
ancestors had not the ability to discover, eth
er inten tionally or by accident, any plans
worth anything, or, if any were at first. of
any value, old age and long continued prac
tice has rendered them unfit for the present
day. Those plans and arrangements which,
by being old and long practced, have proven
themselves to be good, are the ones in which
we should put the most confidence and be the
most eager to copy after. 1t would be far
better for many in this fast age, if some Of
the old landmarks, Of late years lost sight
of. were followed by them.
One Of the greatest signs Of advancement
and Improvement in the cause of education,
is the vast increase in the number Of period
icals and books bearing directly upon the
teachers mission. These have nearly all
been established Or had their origin within
nf
within five or six years. This is evidence
that the public mind is beginning to wake
up to the importance of this subject, and tlat
the instruction of youth is fast moving toward
that position which duty loudly calls upon US
to give it.
We are well aware that the more distant
different sections Of the country are, the
greater their difference and variety in climate,
in the occupations, habits and, opinions Of
their inhabitants, and, consequently. in modes
and methods which make up their teachers
labOrs. 1t is through the agency of the press
that we can have access to a knowledge of
this variety. through this agency We can
acquaint ourselves with the practice. expert
cnce. and results Of those who are, or have
been, long tried, successful and renowned
teachers can, as il were, coHrcrse with q
Page, a Mann. a Aorthond, Rnd IL host of
! others whose names are in the same lluStrious
catalogue But it is not only such who can
give good practical ideas to his fellow teach
| ers through the press. That teacher who has
not &oMethiag which would be of use to others,
must indeed have very small faculties for
originality and observation. Do you say you
cannot write? that yOn have not accustomed
yourself to it? This practice like everything
else must have beginning; and there is but
one way of ascertaining to "A certainty wheth
er your inability is reat or imaginary. Have
you given that way fair trial? need not
explain what opportunities for writing have,
through the kindness of the County Editors,
been offered to the te,t.hers and friends of ed
ucation in Little Mifflin." We can have
no good excuse for not taking advantage If
the opportunity. 1t is a duty we all as teach
ers owe to our profession and to ourselves.
| And we should ever remember that whatever
we do for the good Of our chosen calling will
result in our own personal benefit, and rice
rerSa. TRY.