The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-08-28
Consolation i'm Teaching.

Amidst all the difficulties with which
the instructor has to contend, there Is
much to alleviate his burdens, much tc
cheer him IN his troubles and perplexi
ties, much to encourage him in his exer,
tions True, he is subject to the con
tempt of the ignorant a istocrat, the con
tumely of the purse-proud millionaire
and the neglect of the ambitious polite
ian. He caa rarely aspire to the tonor>
of Office, or to the ease and luxuries Of
wealth. But, at such apparently dis
heartering circumstances, sound philoso
ply and genuine philanthropy only smile
There is luxury in doing good, which
abundan'ly compensates for many de
privations.
The principal enemies against which
the instruc or has to combat, are vice and
ignorance. He is, therefore, never called
upon to battle in any unjust cause. He
never has to defend the wrong in oppo
stion to the light, ard his most efliceut
weapons are bloodless arrows. Aloof from
the turmoils of political strife. beyond the
Influence of that most bewitching and
most decelful of syrens, ambition for po.
litical distinction, and rarely jaundiced
by irordlna'e thirst for gold, he is CON-
paratively removed from temptations to
which other classes of men are exposed
The legitimate object of his exertons, the
end Of his proper aspirations, is to impart
and develop the good and the true, to re-
press and correct the evil and the false,
to make mankind wiser, purer, holler.
What glorious goal for ambition, puri-
fed from its gross and poisonous elements
The materials, too. placed in the teach
er's hands-what are they ? Immortal
minds, in their nascent and most plant
state, ready to be moulded into forms of
undying beauty and perfection, or distort-
ed into shapes of hidcous and ever during
ugliness. The sculptor fashions out the
inanimate marble into the &c unterfe;t
presentment" of man. while he VITO con
verts an ignorant and vicious child into a
wel-informed and virtuous citizen. Gre
ates, it may be said. the real man him.
self. The Instructions, admoaition and
exhortations of the clergyman, 100 often
fall inetfectively upon the indurated heart
of the adult, and not unfrequently, are
too general and comprehensive to reach
the feeble understanding of the young.
But the intelligent, kind hearted teacher,
can adapt his instructions to the compre-
hension and affections of his tender charge.
Here, then, is field worthy Of the high
est efforts of the Wisest and most ski llful
hus bandman
Besides, how cheering to the teacher
are the subsequent success and respecta-
bility of his pupils To possess sensible
evidence that we have been instrumental
in sending out into the world, men and
women whC are an ornament to their
country and blessing to their race, is
surely no slight compensation for the
anxieties we may have suffered, the tolls
we may have endured, and the patience
and perseverance we may have exercised.
To feel that we have rescued even one
individual from an ignominous or prema-
ture death, is more true and lasting glory
than to have won a crown. And then
the gratitude cherished by his pupils
throughout life, towards faithful IN
structor, comes to his heart like refresh
ing dew-drops.
Finally. the teachers vocation is be-
coming more and mole appreciated and
he himself. as he improves IN character
and knowledge, fulfls more faithfully and
efficiently the sacred charge entrusted to
him. attains to increased respect and a
higher remuneration for his services
With such motives to cheerfuness and
energetic action, let no teacher despair
let none despise or slight his calling; for
even the humble and obscure guide of
the lowest grade of children, may be ac-
eomplishing the true purposes of life, far
more perfectly than he who rides victo-
rious over conquered nations, or he who
sits in jeweled majesty, sovereign over the
richest and broadest domains.-MaSsa-