Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-03-19
Address to Parents and the Public Of
Virginia.

The undersigned have been appointed bv
the Educational Association Of Virginia" n
committee to address you GU their behalf
urging you to " more hearty CO operation
with teachers i'll matters of instruction. dis
ciphne, &c.
benefits which would be secured ~
education. and the aid which would be ufnrd.
ed teachers Wy such co operation, you'll bg
very great; as all who have any experiences
on the subject must be aware of the Ob,tacl.s
az the very threshold OF education arising
irom the want OF proper family management.
II. therefore, they can be removed. mu,B
good will be attained, Since, the teacher il
properly t" be regarded as the parents agent,
to nss'ss y: the training of his children, II an.
pears obvious that parents may be best in.
ducei to this important concurrence by point
ing them to the fundamental principles to be
observed IN the education of youth.
In lts broad, comprehensive sense. educa-
ton embraces the physical, moral, and intsl.
lectual instruction OF child, from Infancy To-
manhood. Any system is imperfect which
does not combine them ALL and that is best
which, while ii thoroughly developes them,
aliases the coarse. animal affections of htih1an
nature, and exalts the higher faculties and
feelings. A child has everything to learn.
and is more readily taught by having before
it good examples to initiate than by simple
preeepts lie should, therefore, as far as cir
cumstances will permit, be encouraged to as
sociate with his parents; for his heart must
be affected, his feelings moved, as well as hisr
mind expanded lie may be taught that II.
is criminal to steal, and sinful to lie. and vet
be unable to apply this know ledge to the rov.
eminent OF himself; and it will therefore be
OF no value to him unless the principle is con.
formed into a habit.
Obedience is the first requisite in family,
training. 1t should be made sincere and pef.
iect, aud to proceed as much from affection
as conviction Of its necessity To accom-.
PIish this great prudence aud the exercise of
much patience necessary BY frmnes6
mixed with kindness the child will learn. by
repeated experience. that he is not to follow
his hrst impulse, aud that seIfcontroI. which,
even an infant can understand. is necessarv
to bis comfort. Neither violence nor harsh,
ness should ever be used and the parent
must bear constantly in mind that to govern
his child he must show him that he can con-,
troll himself One of the most common ar,
rors IN management of children is irrepularitv
"f behavior towards them. They arc az skill.
tui, as Pertlnacious IN their attempts to graft
~ Their seii~wIIl at one time trying to evade,
authority, at another to oppose it. If they
once succeed, they are encouraged to perse
we're. and it is necessary for the parent to meet.
the first attempt with firmness. aad NOT rerl,
nit himself to be baf1ed by evasion or resist,
anee. Although child may not Weld to,
threats, and may defy punishment, he cannot
resist patient kindness and gentle admonitiop..
Ihe love Of truth is equal in importance to
habitual obedience. Every encouragement.
even to the pardoning of offences. should
be given to its cultivation The first impulse
OF the mind in children is always to spezh
the truth rather than falsehood, unless
some eT;l motive arise to sway them to I'M
truth. They should be accustomed to beartLs
truth always spoken. Confession of error!
with a detestatIon of faIsehood, honesty. and
equIvocation should be sedulously incuicats9.
a strict adherence to promises made to them
IS OF the utmost importance, as we'll as the re-
moval OF all temptation to misconduct.
The influences OF Christianity form thu
essential element Of moral character, a. III