Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-03-29

Education Address {" the Parents an"
Public OF Virginia by Cen. r. q. Ice and
! Professors Tiinnr and rahnsT-
General Lee and Professors Minor aud
Debney have published ali address upon
tue subject of education, which Is SO judi
cio,ts, practical and sensible III ats views,
that we transfer it to our columns. Lit will
we'll repay an attentive perusal by every
persol, WHO is Interested iii the education
al training I'll children.
The address is rs follows:
The undersigned have been appointed,
by the 9 Educational Association Of Virgin
ia" a committee tn address yon on their
behalf, urging you to IA more. hearty coop
Grafton with teachers. IL matters Of 1nstrlc-
tiuu, discipline, &c
The benefits which would be secured to
education, and the aid which would be af
forded teachers by such operation, would
be very great; as all who have any expert
euce on the subject must be aware Of the
obstacles ut the very threshold of education
arising from the want Of proper family
management. Ii, therefore, they can be
removed, much good will be attained.-
Since the teacher is properly to be regard
ed as the parents agent, to assist III the
training of his children, it appears obvious
-
important concurrence, by pointing them
to the fundamental principles to be observ-
ed in the education Of youth.
In it's broad, comprehensive sense, edu-
cation embraces the physical, moral and
intellectual instruction of child, from in
fancy to manhood. Any system is imper
feet, which does not combine them all, and
that is best which, while it thoroughly de-
velops them aliases the coarse, animal af-
fections of human 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 precepts. He
should therefore, as far as circumstances
| will permit, be encouraged to associate with
his parents, for his heart must be affected,
his feelings moved, as we'll as his mind ex-
banded. He may be taught that it is Grim
inal to steal, and sinful to lie, and yet be
unable to apply this knowledge to the gov
eminent of himself; and it will, therefore,
be of no value to him, unless the principle
is confirmed into habit.
Obedience is the first requisite i'll family
training. 1t should be made sincere and
perfect, and to proceed as much from affec-
ton as a conviction of its necessity. To
accomplish this great prudence, and the
exercise of much patience, are necessary
BY firmness, mixed with kindness, the child
will learn. 10y repeated experience, that he
is not to follow his first impulses, and that
self-control, which even an infant can I'M
derstand, is necessary to his comfort
Neither violence nor harshness should ever
be used; und the parent must bear con-
stautly in mind, that to govern his child,
he must show him that he can control him
self. One OF the most common crrOrS III
( the management of children is irregularty
l,ol,, L.
skilful, az pertinaCious IN their attempts to
crafty their self.will; at one time trying to
evadc authority, at another to oppose it
II they once succeed, they are encouraged
to perseyere, aud it is necessary for the par
ent to meet the first attempt with tirmneSS,
and not permit himself to be hatfled either
by evasion or resistance. Although IL child
may not yield to threats, and may defy
punishment, lie caunot resist patient kind
ness and gentle admonltiou.
! The love Of truth is equal i'll Importance
to habitIa! obedience. Every encourage
ment, even 10 the pardoning of offenses,
should be given to it's cultivation. The first
impulse of the mind III children is always
to speak the truth rather than ialschood,
unless some evil motive arise to sway them
to untluth They should be accustomed
to hear the truth always spoken. Confess
sion of error, with d dotestation uf false
hood, dishonesty and equiyocation, should
be sedulously inculcatcd. A strict adhe-
renee to promises made to them is OF the
utmost importance, as well as the removal
of all temptation to misconduct.
The influences Of christianity form the
essential element of moral character; as its
principles are the only sufficient basis of
virtue OF happiness. Hence, the parents
most sacred duty to his child is to impress
the sentiments Of our holy religion carly
upon his mind, by personal explanation
and systematic instruction. rs the intel
lect expands, it's sacred truths will be COM
pretended and felt, and its motives and
princi pleS be strengthened and confirmed
| 10y practice and habit.
An essential part of the education of
youth is to teach them to serve themselves,
and to impress upon them the fact that
nothing can be acquired in this world with
out labor and that tho very necessaries and
comforts of life must be procured ny earn
est and regular exertion. They should also
be taught to know that after having been
reared and educated by their parents, they
should not expect them to provide further
for them, and that their future subsistence
and advancement must depend upon them
! selves. Parents sometimes commit the mis-
take of allowing their children, after hav-
ing reached period of life when they ought
rely upon them for support. This en-
courages them in injurious idlenoss, and
destroys their spirit of self-dependence,
which is necessary for their advancement
in life, and cause them to appear so I'M
reasonable as to depend upon them, after
having arrived at an age when they should
think and act for themselves.i
The choice of profession is not of so
much consequence as the manner in which
it is pursued. If habits of self-control and
self-denial have been acquired during the
season of education the great object has
been accomplished. Diligence and integ-
rity in any useful pursuit of life will be-
sure to secure prosperity and fame, anil
success will result from engaging in that
business in which the generality of man.
kind are Interested.
Such being the correct view of education,
the support and corporation which faith
full teachers should receive from parents
can be easily inferred by the good sense of
each one. We only ask especial attention,
in concluding, to the following suggestions,
/ uli o,1r hoe cI, nc 30 10 e