Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-07-31
EDUCATION.
An Interesting and Instructive Lee
ture by DIR. McGuney Last
Evening.


DR.. W. H. McGuffey, Professor of
Moral Philosophy in the University of
Virginia, but better known as the author
Of popular series of school readers and
his long identity with the common school
interests of the country, addressed an
intelligent and select audience, in the
lecture room of the Cumberland Presby.
terrain Church, last evening, upon the
topic Of 4" Education" A veteran tutor,
and one literally grown gray in the field
Of educational labor, none could be better
prepared to interest and instruct an
auditory appreciative of long ex-
perience, vast observation and va
ried arguments. EHe appeared as one
knowing whereof he spoke, and not the
least attractive feature Of his lecture was
the ease and familiarity with which he
handled his theme, talking to his au-
dience as we imagine he would to his
class. Among his hearers, and those
doubtless most benefited and edited byhis
effort,we were pleasedto note large mum.
Der of the city teachers, members Of the
School Board and tutors in the private
institutes. The venerable lecturer, after
an invocation OF the Divine blessing by
Rev. Mr.. Hanson, was introduced to his
audience by that gentleman with a few
we'll chosen remarks.
On rising he remarked that he did not
come prepared with any elaborated adj
dress, but proposed simply to draw upon
his experience as teacher for the past
forty-seven years. He impressed upon
those engaged in the arduous labor of
teaching, the Importance of developing
and educating the faculties of the pupils
mind at the same time. Better develop
ment, he thought, without aquire-
ment than requirement without devel-
opment. He compared the school
to our intellectual gymnasium, where
the weaker organs were to be strength
ened and disciplined until healthful
uniformity of all had been attained. The
pupil should be taught to think as well as
to read and write and cipher; for by
thinking development of the fac
ulties would be attained. The i'm
portance of illustration and ex-
PLANTATION, especially to the younger
pupils, was alluded to, and he especially
desired that his scholars should feel at
liberty to ask questions, whenever in
their studies arose anythin they could
notfully comprehend. File looked upon
the position of teach er as requiring
peculiar natural quail ications to FILL.
The instruction of the young is
especially difficult. More knowledge and
skill is requisite to teach the child than
the class in the university. The first
duty of the teacher is to know exactly
the minds of his scholars, and then it be-
comes him to know what he attempts
to teach. The teacher should be
interested in the lesson; for if he
is languid and lukewarm, the pupil
will be very apt to be the same. In
marking out the studies to be pursued
by the pupil, he should not be al
lowed to choose only those for which
he has a preference and q predilec-
ton. His preferences show in them
selves there are faculties which
require development. The cultivation
of any one faculty to the neglect of
others, produces an intellectual mon
strosity, mental deformity. Develop
meut should be proportionate and uni
form. The perfect man is one who has
learned to reason, to judge, to choose and
to will with equal clearness, preci-
sion and force. Information should be
general. No man can be q lawyer or
minister in the present day without
knowledge of the arts and sciences to
some degree. The man who knows but
one thing cannot know that thoroughly.
The lecturer especially alluded to the
moral influence the teacher should bring
to bear upon his class. The same rela-
ton should in measure exist between
the teacher and his class as that between
the parent and child. The teacher should
stand with bis scholars Taco PARENTS.
In conclusion, the lecturer advertod in
the most commendatory terms to the free
school system ofthe country, and invited
the attention of his hearers on Monday
evening next, at which time be promised
TO again address them upon other topics
Throughout, the lecture was listened
to with marked interest and attention,
and We doubt not the gentleman second
appearance win be greeted BY largely
increased auditory.
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