The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-12-19


great principles Of Christianity, snd so
impress upon them
"How empty Learning, and how vain is Art,
Butas they mend the life ,and guide the hearti
It is, however, his peculiar province
a duty from which be cannot escape if he
would be faithful teacher-to see that
the bodies Of his pupils are duly desel
oped and strengthened tina. their social
abilities are rightly directed that their
intellectual powers and mental faculties
are expanded and discplned-orin in other
words, that the a0hole beiug IS symetri-
cally cultured.
When we think of these duties, well
may We ask, "wbo is sufficient for these
things ?"-no finite teacher is, without
divine help from the Great Teacher. o,
that all teachers were christians Then
they could, meekly but confidently, ask OF
Him who is the source of all wisdom, for
that wisdom which would enable them to
be sufficient for these things.
We have already spoken briefly of the
character of our Government. A further
examination of its system shows that it is
composed of three distinct, yet harmoni-
Gus departmeuts-the legislative, judici.
ary aad executive. Each of these de.
partments requires honest and efficient
officers. Selfish politicians, fanatics,
ignorant legislators, or weak executives
never enact and enforce laws promotive
ofpersonal safety, and conducive to public
prosperity. Only those who are intelli-
gent, and virtuous too, can ever make and
execute such laws. But how fsaO are
qualified to select the right man for the
right place, and how rarely is that right
man to be found.
Now these things ought not 10 be so,
and would not, if the young in every fam.
lily, and in every school were taught, as
they should be, the principles of our gov.
ernmeut, its history, its worth at home,
and its glory abroad.
No Wonder that 1t is so valuable in its
character, and that 1t has a worldwide
reputation as being
"The land of the free and the home ofthe brave"
Think ofits blessings! Think of its cost
Think of the immense sacrifice of treasure
aud blood, which have made aud preserved
it Think of it as as it really is now
thank Gcd "a FREE Government 1t
has always been worth preserving; but
now the dearest interests of mankind
everywhere demand its preservation,
Thousands of the oppressed in other
lauds; thousands of those once enslaved,
but now free, in our own land the count
less tears of those bereft of most dearly
loved ones who bravely fought and glori-
Ously died in its defense !; aud four hun
dred thousand graves of patriots and
chieftains plead-Oh, how eloquently they
plead, for its preservation
And yet it cannot be preserved without
the most liberal and virtuous education
the highest possible symetrical culture of
the whole people, in whose hands is placed
its destiny.
In conclusion, I would ask all, but
parents aud teachers espccially,t TO consider
carefully, the very comprehensive language
Of Paul in his Epistle to the Philippians,
by which he evidcntlyinteuded toimpress
upon them the duty of attaining all that
is embodied in complete manhood. The
words of him, who was a model of what
he wished other men to become, are these :;
Finally brethren, whatever things are
true, whatever things are honorable,
whatever things are just, whatever things
are pure, whatever things ere lovely, what,
ever things are of good report, if there be
any virtue, and if there be any praise,
think on these things"