The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1867-03-20
To the parents and the Public Of Yir-
ginia.

ginia," a committee to address you on
their behalf, urging you to be more
hearty cooperation with teachers, in mat
tiers Of instruction, discipline, &c.
The benefits which would be secured to
education and the aid which would be
afforded teachers by such cooperation
would be very great as all who have any
experience on the subject must be aware
Of the obstacles at the very threshold of
education, arising from the want Of prop
er family management. If, therefore,
they can be removed much good will be
attained. Since the teacher is properly
to be regarded as the parents agent, to
assist in the training of his children, it
appears obvious, that parents may be best
induced to this important concurrence, by
pointing them to the fundamental princi-
pies to be observed in the education of
youth.
In its broad, comprehensive sense, edu-
cation embraces the physical, moral and
intellectual instruction of child, from
infancy to manhood. Any system is i'm
perfect which does not combine them all,
and that is best which, while il thorough
ly deyelopes them, aliases the coarse, ami
NAL affections 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 pre-
cepts 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
well as his mind expanded. He may be
taught that it is criminal to steal, and
sinful to lie, and yet be unable to apply
this knowledge to the government Of him
self; and it will therefore, be Of no value
to him. unless the principles is confirmed
into habit.
Obedience is the first requisite in fami-
" training. 1t should be made sincere
and perfect, and proceed as much from
affection as conviction Of its necessity.
To accomplish this, great prudence, aud
the exercise of much patience, are necces-
sary. By frmness mixed with kindness,
the child will learn, by repeated experience.
that he is not to follow his impulse, and
that selfcontrol, which even an infant
can understand, is necessary to his COM
fort. Neither violence nor harshness
should ever be used /; and the parent must
bear constantly in mind, that to govern
his child, he must show him that he can
control himself One Of the most COM
mon errors in the management Of child
rem is irregularity Of behavior towards
them. They are as skillful, as pertina-
cious in their attempts to crafty their
self-will; at one time trying to eyade au-
thority, at another to oppose it. If they
once succeed, they are encouraged to per-
severe, and it is necessary for the parent
to meet the first attempt with frmness,
and not permit himself 80 be bafaed, either
| by evasion or resistance. Although a
child may not yield to threats, and may
defy punishment, he cannot resist patient
kindness and gentle edmonton.
The love Of truth is equal in impor-
lance to habitual obedience. Every en-
couragement, even to the pardoning of
offences. should be given to Its cultivation.
The first impulse Of the mind in children
is always to speak the truth rather than
falsehood, unless some evil motive arise
to sway them to untruth. They should
be accustomed to hear the truth always
spoken. Confession Of error, with de-
testation of falsehood. dishonesty and
equivocation, should be sedulously incul-
Gated A strict adherence to promises
made to them is of the utmost importance,
as we'll as the removal Of all temptation
to misconduct
The influence Of christianity forms the
essential element Of moral character as
its principles are the only sufficient basis
Of virtue or happiness. Hence, the pa
rents most sacred duty to his child is to
impress the sentiments Of our holy reli-
gion early upon his mind, by personal ex-
PLANTATION and systematic instruction AS
the intellect expands, its sacred truths
will be comprehended and felt, and its
motives and principles be strengthened
and confirmed by practice and habit.
An essential part Of the education of
youth is to teach them to serve themsel-
YES, and to impress upon them the fact
that nothing good can be acquired in this
world without labor; and that the very
necessaries and comforts of life must be
procured by earnest and regular exer-
ton. They should also be taught to
know that after having been reared and
educated by their parents, they should
not expect to provide further for them,
and that their future subsistence and adj
vancement must depend upon themselves.
Parents sometimes commit the mistake of
allowing their children, after having
reached the period Of life when they
ought to be engaged in making liveli-
hood, to rely upon them for support
This encourages them in injurious idle
ness, and destroyes that spirit of self
dependence, which is necessary for their
advancement in life, and causes them to
appear so unreasonable as to depend upon
them after having arrived at an age when
they should think and act for themselves
The choice Of a profession is not of SO
much consequence as the manner in which
it is pursued. If habits Of selfcontrol
and selfdenial have been acquired during
the season Of education, the great object
has been accomplished Diligence and
integrity in any useful pursuit of life
will be sure to secure prosperity and fame
and success will result from engaging in
that business in which the generality Of