The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-07-12
THE TEACHERS REWARD.

| we nave often been led 10 observe that the
| greatest benefactors and the most ardent labor
ers for the public veal, are, in general poorly
remuneratet for their tolls, Republics, it IS said,
| are ungraetul and the greatest statesmen and
purest patriots are but indiferently appreciated,
while they are zealou5ly laboring for their
country's welfare while those who are well
stiled in the intrigue and political knavery Of
ofth7 day often carry off the palm and win .he
iondest applause. While this is the case in
matters Of state IT applies with equal force 10
| the teachers vocation. In free and enlcht-
ened country like this, where the government IS
wholly based on public opinion, and the rulers
| are created by the governed, it behooves all 10
| see that that opinion has the proper training
| and Is conducted into The proper channel;
otherwise, bv mis-education it may overthrow
! that which it is designed 10 build up. No one
contributes more, or even so much, TO the for
nation Of good and wholesome public opin-
ION as the teacher, and yet few are SO illy pro-
vided for as he. On no shoulders rests there
greater weight or lies there a greater response
billty, bat no one bears those burdens With more
meekness and frmness than the true teacher
He is selfsacrifcing being. when he enga-
ges to "ieach the young idea how to shoot" he
must make up his mind 10 undergo many pri-
vations; 10 sacrifice many opinions and pred
Elections for the good of those placed to hrs
charge. If be does this in the right spirit he
will be true public beneiacto7.
But should he not be, or is he, rewarded for
bis labor2 He is destined to exc out bis exis-
tence in the narrow sphere OF his oft miscalled
school rooon; to waste his energies and ship
wreck bis health, and the small pittance he re-
ceiveS Is but mere mockery, by way Of rem
unetating him for hls IaboFs. We have sard
thai The teacher is but poorly rewarded for his
toils Pecuaiarfly speaking this is SO. And
were he TO engage in his aedGous profession
merely for the luxuri-s il afoids, ne would
certainly fall short OF his mark But he has
nobler rewards than mere pelt HIS Is high
aad noble vocation and IN proportion as lis
e4iaii's . htgb and bosy, are his true reward,
% q higher and sroe'=e ,rz1zz7rys
earth can afford. OF course he must be- bro
vided with the g unleeling, artificial inyen-
lions Of society," for he can not clothe himself
with imagination, nor will intellectual allment
sai'ate his appetite aad keep alive his animal
nature. But beyond this bis worldly prospects
are written in very narrow lines. And, lei
not.
''Fancy her mggieal pinions spread wideo
and picture 10 him sweet hours of re pose, OF
luxury and ease 'Twould be but "building
castles in the air." bubbles that would soon ex-
Pode phantom that would never beirealized,
though he were to grow as gray as winter, in
his profession, But the teacher has reward
in knowing that he is engaged in one ofths /
most useful yocations that "mortaIs here below''
can follow. The fruits of his labors are
growing around him every day. While 9TH /
ers are makeiug impressions on mailer, which
wiI wear away with time, those which he
makes Cd mind shall live forever While I.
others are rearing fabrics that will be elTaced
b Times rude hand be is training something
that viii expand while Eternity rolls Or.
The artist may show, to gaping world, the
oenaties oi his pencil: the sculptor may Initiate
nature itself; and both may have encomiums
showered upon them while the teacher is labor
ing in obsculity;' but the Prometheus and the
Venus de Medlei, with all their periections,
will have been cast into oblivion and swallow
I'd up in eternity, when the benelit of The teach
sr's labors are being realized. These reflections
ire some Of his true rewards. Aud II be has
'een true 10 his calling; il he has trained the
mind IN the way OF usefulness, he shall have
many bright pearls to shine in the fair diadem
hat shall crown his labors
SIMON SYNTAX.