Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-03-19
Address to the Parents and the Public OF
Virginia,

virginia.
The undersigned have been appointed by the
Educational Association OF Vlrginla" COM
mittee to address you on their behalf, urging
you to a more hearty cooperation with teachers
in matters Of instruction, discipline, &c.
The benefits which would be secured to edu-
cation and the aid which would be afforded 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 proper
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 principles
to be observed in the education OF youth
In it's broad, comprehensive sense, education
embraces the physical, moral, and intellectual
instruction of a child, from infancy to manhood.
Any system is imperfect which does not com
bine them ALL and that is best which, while 1T
thoroughly developes them, aliases the coarse,
animal affections of human nature, and eXaltS
the higher faculties and feelings. 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 encour-
aged 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 gov
eminent of himself and it will therefore be Of
no value to him unless the principle is con-
firmed into habit.
Obedience is the first requisite in family
training. It should be made sincere and per-
feet, and to proceed as much from affection as
conviction of its necessity. 10 accomplish
this, great prudence and the exercise Of much
patience are necessary. By frmness mixed
with kindness the child will learn, by repeated
experience, that he is not to follow his first Inn
pulse and that elf-control, which even an IN
FAINT can understand is necessary to his comfort.
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 common errors in the management of chill
dren is irregularity of behavior towards them.
They are as skilful as pertinaclous in their at
tempts to crafty their selfwill; at one time
trying to evade authority, at another to oppose
it, If they once succeed, they are encouraged
to persevere, and it is necessary for the parent
to meet the first attempt with frmness, and not
permit himself to be baf1ed either by evasion
or resistance. Although child may not yield
to threats, and may defy punishment, he can
not resist patient kindness and gentle admonl-
ton.
The love Of truth is equal in Importance to
habitual obedience. Every encouragement,
even to the pardoning of Offences should be
given to it's cultivation. The first impulse OF
the mind in children is always to speak the
| truth rather than falsehood, unless some evil
should be accustomed to hear the truth always
spoken. Confession of error, with detestatlon
Of falsehood, dishonesty, and equivocation
should be sedulously inculcated. A strict ad-
herence to promises made to them Is OF the ut
most importance, as we'll as the removal OF all
temptation to misconduct.
The influences of Christianity form the essen
tal element of moral character, as It's principles
are the only sufficient basis of virtue or happi-
ness. Hence the parents most sacred duty to
his child is to impress the sentiments OF our
holy religion early upon his mind by personal
explanation and systematic instruction. AS the
intellect expands, its sacred truths will be COM
pretended and felt, and its motives and princi-
piles be strengthened and confirmed by practice
and habit
An essential part Of the education of youth is
to teach them to. serve themselves, and to I'M
press 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 them to pro-
vide further for them, end that their future
subsistence and advancement must depend up
on 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 a livelihood, to rely upon
them for support. This encourages them in
injurious idleness, and destroys their spirit Of
self dependence, which Is necessary Tor 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 profession is not Of SO much
consequence as the manner in which it is pur-
sued. IF habits Of selfcontrol and sef-denial
have been acquired during the season of educa-
ton, 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 mankind are
interested
Such being the correct view Of education, the
support and cooperation which faithful teach
ers 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 which our experience
has shown to be Of prime importance:
l. The parent, after committing his child to
the teaching of another, should continue to
manifest an affectionate interest in his improve
ment by constant inquiry and encouragement.
2. The supplying of young persons, while alb
sent from their homes, with needless money,
and the permission to contract debts, are to be
reprobated, as tempting to sinful prodigality
and multiplying the dangers ofcontracting hab-
its of vice.
3. The proper authority of teachers must be
firmly sustained by parents.
T. Every young person should be Informed
by his parents that he must give diligence to
profit by his studies, or else must be compelled
to make himself useful to society by actual la
Dor in some humber sphere.
And last; an unworthy parent cannot reason;
ably expect the teacher, against the current of
his wrong example to form his son into wor-
thy man.
{ E. {, T ! ,: II p NJ Or Committee.
March s, 1867.