Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-06-25
l30Q9A1Q90A4a
Edited by A. SMITH, County Superintendent.
For the Educational Column.
The Next Institute.

AAO 4sCAt 4ASI1GuGG
The next County Institute will be held
the last two weeks of August, and it seems
we'll, even at this early date, to urge upon
all who design to teach next season, the
Importance of making preparation to attend
the Institute, and to reap all possible bene-
fit from its exercises. As is we'll under
stood by those who have been in the habit
of attending Institutes, it is not the object
of such a gathering to make any special
attempt at display, for the sake of astonish-
ing the simple portion of the public; nor
yet to exhibit striking originality and mar
velous wisdom but to learn as much as
possible concerning the principles, methods,
and objects of common school Education !;
to gain clearer vision of the real nature, and
capacities, and springs of action, of the hui
man mind to become newly inspired with
zeal in a cause so sublime and benefcent,
as is the right training of children in school
for the duties and manifold experiences of
life
This is no assumed feeling
the real nobleness and sacredness Of the
teachers work; no person can soberly think
Of the subject without being deeply i'm
pressed with sense Of the momentous in
terests Of which the teachers of country
have the care. And teachers themselves
should cherish so elevated an idea of their
calling as never to boast Of it, never to try
to awe the public by revealing their indie
scribable Importance; it should be borne in
mind, that teaching is most useful and
noble calling, but teacher may be most
useless and ignoble member of society.
Again, it would be we'll if teachers could
become so convinced Of the dignity Of their
work, as to be unwilling to engage or con-
tinue in it without suitable literary qualifi-
cations. 4 teacher who takes no honest
pride in his work, might better follow some
other business in which he can feel an hon
orable interest; and teacher, who is proud
of being teacher and yet has no sufficient
knowledge for his calling, is an object of
pity, and the unfortunate children who are
under him are still more objects of pity.
Every teacher ought to feel it burning
shame, wrong not to be forgiven, to offer
himself as guide to others when he knows
his inability to guide them Alright. He
should regard himself as the worst kind of
an impostor, as reckless trifer with the
most sacred human interests, if he desires
situation as instructor of those who need
wise teachings, prudent guidance, the firm
ness of fathers law, the tenderness of a
mothers love.
1t frequently seems as if some persons
were perfectly satisfied, if they could just
succeed in getting certificate, no matter
how damaging the list of grades. If they
could be we'll marked, it would be very
short time before they would receive no
certificate whatever; for such persons ought
to have distinct understanding that they
are not wanted in any school room-unless
to learn more.
Teachers should aim at securing the best
qualifications, and not be content with the
minimum that will entitle them to certi-
ficate Here, just at this point, is one of
the most fitting places for them to exercise
a pride of vocation.
In some townships, which are quite poor
" represented at Institutes and-as nat
ural consequence-are very poorly served
in their schools, it would be well for Direc-
tors to insist upon the attendance of the
Institute by all those who think of apply
ing to them for schools In this way, by
the wholesome pressure of legitimate au-
thority, much can be done to give the cause
of Education new impulse, by having on
ly teachers who will take all practicable