The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-04-09
Tho Village School.

I spent some days at Littertin, near
Volkesberg, and, as is my custom, caileo
ON the parish priest. There was no reason
to regret it, for spent two charming days
with him. In little village, with scanty
population, he was nevertheless an excel
lent man, scholar, polished in manners
yet firm and dignified.
When he found out I was an artist, ne
showed me the paintings in the churc9
which were deemed of greatest merit-oid
masters dating from the seventeenth cen.
| tury. masters Of local renown, yet in some
cases evincing genius that evidently never
| received the culture and breadth which
true art education would have gwen.
| Seeing my interest in these, he drew
carefully forth from its velvet case the
miniature of his parents-his father, tne
baillie of Hernsdorf, and the mother whom
long years had but endeared the more to
the surviving son, as the lover rlm, worn 0n
by his frequent kisses, testified. MY oner
to retouch it lighted up his face with JOY
full gratitude. uy
will see q poor edi6ce, indeed; we have not
even yet q separate school Tor the girls.
best Our teacher is worthy, devoted
man, who, on losing his wife last year, Tell
into q fit of dependency; but aroused
him by showing him how noble and neces-
sary our labors were. We have ooth care
l of souls, and our union is of vital import
; ance to our flock. l teach the destiny OF
man, the aim of life, the love of God, and
: : the hopes of immortality. l cultivate the
religious instincts, and train them 10 90
, battle with the low passions and material
interests that deaden religion IN me near y.
:, Tie teachers task is to pour into those lit,
!. tie brains the greatest intellectual light and
sound iudgment-means to acquire Inform
y alton and, in their sphere, judge betwe eu
>, what ia beneficial and what is hartful. he
a displays the wonders OF creation, the ms
" of Which our own land has been the thea
- tire. He teaches them to love their native
. land and their fellow-men; to be goot
q citizens, as I try to make them grow ul
- good Christians."
% We soon reached the door. There was
!, stir in the little group as we entered. Ate
10 few words with the teacher, took m.
" seat on the bench, to watch the scene. III
~ teacher called out four pupils. The pries
=. questioned them, familiarly and kindly
40 Familiar with their studies, his question
,e were clear and simple. Their geners
u views Of the earth, the heavens, their ow
- country, and it's division; its relations VIII
VI others. The oldest, the son of an old OF
u Ger, ran briefly over the history OF the la
d, Having tested their general knowledl
o a as we'll as their late lessons, he put son
ve questions on morals and prudence. VIII
I'M is a good mani What would you do if Il
ny enemy invaded the country? What
would you make OF rlc6es II 10Y 80
he them to youf How would you act II owe
as taken by a heavy snow stormf He q
len proved or corrected their answers with b
ing SA1d now,n said he, 'let us sing togett
cry err At once the teacher took down
lily violin, and gave the tone. The four en-
dren sang a hymn, first in unison then
ted parts the priest accompanying them in
undertone, when not taking his necessa
Q pinch of snuff.
| of "Well, my children, after God, C
ray All Joined in this, leaving their books a
TOYS that had been furtively got out. I
'th- teacher frightened up, and played so as
lnts surprise me; the priest beat time Wig
emit ously, and the rustic little schoolhouse tire
bled with patriotic enthusiasm. The sc'
'oks impressed itself deeply on my mind.
a I