The Portland daily press., 1864-12-29
Importance Of the Teachers Vocation.

AL R@L bttAOO Va HAAO AOeSAAAA t~t&hASAAt
Recently wehavs been able mark the dividing lima
between treason and patriotism Where schooihouses
stopped there treason began. BxEoHER.
I take it for granted, that your readers are
not all politicians nor military men, but that
many are students and teachers. And as it
requires diversity of subjects to interest all,
and while the politician is talking Of state
matters and the military man Of war, 1t be~
comes me occupying as / do more humble
sphere, to speak of that. And when say
more humble, Imean atthe same time equal
ly as responsible, as either ofthen. Those
who understand the material 1t requires 10
constitute statesmen and warriors, viii agree
with me, that upon the educauon oi Ae
youth more depends, towards Inc support ana
preservation of civil liberty, than any other
thing. II il in act the very nucleus" OF civil
lization. Lord Brougham once said, sLet the
soldier he abroad il he will, he can do nothing
a, This age. There is another parsonage, 3
nor.onsge less imposing in the eyes Of some,
,arhaps insignificant The school master Is
abroad, and trust to him, armed with his
primer against the soldier in full military ar
ray"
This was said at a time, when, after pro-
tracted struggle, the combined armies OF Eng
land failed to bring about the desired results,
and she was obliged to listen to the advice OF
her statesmen. That he is a parsonage less
imposing than the soldier, that he1is often re-
garded inferior, does not make his calling less
responsible. 1t is no strange thing that in
these times, when the public mind is turned
from the peaceful avocations of life and buried
In the turmoil Of war, that the humble "peda-
gogue" is forgotten. The "man in blue" is
attracting attention now, and war - the con-
slant theme. Fe@rgfses7
But when the nation looks about her for
suitable men to I'll the places Of those with
drawing from the stage Of life, it is in her
schools, she finds the candidates for emolu-
ment For to be successful warrior, one
must have disciplined mind. l. is his pro-
vince not only to achieve victories. but to pro-
At by them. .a tl
But teaching when rightly regarded Is no
unpleasant avocation; when conducted sys-
tematically and in proper manner, its per-
plexities though many, win not render the
task so irksome, as some imagine. 1t is neces-
sary for one to adapt himself to the work and
teach with higher aim in view than money
merely lit should become
Delishtsnl task! to rear the tender thought, K
To teach ths young idea how to shoot" -srss <
1t is a gratifying thought, that we are hav-
ing the control and training Of minds, perhaps
designed to guide the destinies Of nations.-
This should render the task an easy one, for
there is nothing more interesting than to watch
the progress of intellectual deyelopement.-
The teacher is constantly student. While
he is laboring to impress the mind with new
truths, his own mind seizes hold upon then
/ with firmer grasp, and while he is taxing
his ingenuity to enlighten, he discerns in him
self, powers he never thought in his posses
sion.
That very much depends upon the instruc
ton of the youth, no one will deny. Western
Virginia is the only place 10 the whole South
ern states, where Sabbath Schools have beer
patr onized, and her character we have every
reason to believe was fashioned by their in
luences. In those localities where moral ant
religious training had been discarded, we dnt
the most tyrannical and rebellious Spirits
aKnowledge is power Such power a
makes tyrants cover, and traitors tremble.
Our school-houses have been greater sourcs
Of fear to those plotting the overthrow of thu
government, than our arsenals. The forme
they could not curb, the latter they coul,
weaken, and deprive Of their virtue.
4 Allrespect then to the influences that hove
about our school-houses; all honor to thos,
who adorn their calling by energetic, persever
ing efforts, for the up building of the youth
And while claim no superiority as teacher
nor hold myself an advocate, what 1 say or
the subject, not only do SO with sense o
discharging my duty, but ofregarding the say
ing 30 often quoted: - =
j saa Vessels large may venture more, an 4as
But little boats should keep near shore.n
- saa a ink.