The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-03-02
For THE BEDFoRD GAZETTE.
DUTIES OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS.
By GEoReE SIGAFoos.


Now, how are we to determine what these
duties aIe2 Certainly not by referring to any
speculative theories which may have had their
origin ~ the hot-bed OF some sickly imagination ;
but by lnquirlng INTO The object TO be accom-
plished by the parent and teacher, and what is
the aatore and destiny of the being committed
whoiiy9o their guidance and discipline
thus Tie duties OF Physician are obvious.
The object had in view, is the restoration ofthe
human system when diseased, TO perfect health,
or the mitigation of pain ard the palIiation of
disease by the use OF medicine and SURGERY
Hence, his first duty is TO make himself acquaint-
ed WITH the structure of the human system, the
functions OF the several parts, and the physolo-
gIcal laws pertaining to each. Secondly, he
should understand the Pathology of the various
diseases, to which the human BODY IS subject.
lhndly, he should fully acquant hlmself with
the properties and nature of the various medi-
cInes which have been found to have saluiary
influence IN assisting diseased nature to regain
her former VIgor and health.-Lastly but not
least, his duty requires him as an honest and
intelligent physician, when called to see a pa
tIeBt; carefully 10 examine the symptoms OF the
disease, ascertain, if possible, what physologi-
Cal fGWs have been violated, what organs do
net perloFm their functions properly and then,
aad not Til then, in view of the fact that he is
dealing with ''(ije and de1th." should he pre-
scribe such medicines as he may deem best
suited to bring about state of perfect health 10
the patient and if necessary he will not with
hold the blister, the lancet, the searlier. or the
probing knife, though It may be ever so painful
md l.,
self In The discharge OF his duty, he will not
hesitate TO amputate the diseased member, or
even to pluck out the eye, if thereby he may
save lite.-The duties of parents and teachers
are very analogous TO those of the faithful Ply
sician..
Without further preliminaries we may first
inquire what are some of the duties of Parents!
We may in answer TO this question ask, what
IS 1t to be parent To be parent is to be
placed solely IN charge of being (when first
broug into the world, the most igaoraat, de-
Pendtat and deipleSs OF all the animal species
lhs being Is possessed of physical organ
Ism, subject to a thousand diseases pain, ana pre-
ihdtufe death, an OF WHICH gIou out of the Vi
oIat0n of the law Of lis existence, under which
a wise and benefcient Creator has placed H.
Also, this same being is endowed with an in
mortal, moral and intelligent principle Soul
capable of endless progression ID knowledge
and virtue OF inefabIe Joy and happiness, or OF
IndeScribable degradation ard misery, even in
this life and exposed 10 hie OF eternal wretch
edness and misery IN future state of existence :;
with nature Predsposed to those very acts
that bring both physical and moral disease, suf-
fsTng and death.
Now, in view of the powers, nature ard des-
tiny of this being, We come to the conclusion.
that the "Education of such a being includes
all those influences and discipIines by which its
faculties are unfolded aud perfected.
1t is that agency that takes the helpless and
pleading infant from the hands of lis Creator,
and, apprehend;ng its entire nature, tempts it
forth, now by auStere, and now by kindly in
huences and dscIpIines; and thus molds il at
last into the image OF perfect man armed at
all points, to use the body, nature. and life for
its growth and renewal, and 10 hold dominion
over the luctuatlng things of the outward. 1t
seeks TO realize III the soul the image of The
Creator. It's end is a perfect man. It's aim
through every stage of influence is self renew
al. The body, nature, and life are its instru-
nents and materials. Jesus is its worthiest
ideal. Christianity its purest organ. The
Gospels are IFS fullest observation-disclosures is its
nspiraton-hoIinesS IFS law-temperance lis
discipline-and Immortality IFS reward"
Now if this be the work of parents (which
it undoubtedly isl we'll may they exclaim-
awho then is sufficient for these things 2" But
ffarful as the obligations of parents NAV be,
they must meet them. There is no such thing
as wholly transferring those duties TO others.
The child is given directly by God 10 the
guidance and discipline of the parents, and If
It's education is neglected and the child becomes
reckless and miserable 10 this life, and finally
IN outcast from Heaven and happiness forever,
The Parents will be responsible TO fearful de-
sree, for this great alteration from the Laws of
God, Nature and Man.
The injunction of the Bible is "Train up a
child IN the way he should 90 and when be is
old he will not depart from it," Now this TAIN
ing, or education, begins when the little one
first opens its.eyes to the light, 10 looI; upon
the visage of the mother that gave it birth. 1t
soon learns TO trace the stern and contracted
features of that mothers face and ere decade
OF weeks has passed away, the mothers angry
trown will bring tears to the helpless child's
eyes.
How soon does it learn to distinguish be-
teveen the soft, winning voice of love, and the
hash and repulsive tone OF petuIance and an
geL-Thus early in life is the education aud
discipline of the child begun and as man is
progressive being, his faculties are capable OF
anindefiaite expansion.-His tuition therefore
cainot be supposed TO terminate at any period
Of lis terrestrial existence, bot is carried on
Though every stage of life, from the cradle 10
thtgrave. And when he closes his eyes ia