Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1871-12-21

Y. 8. D.
The Teacher and His Mission.
By WIN. J.. BARBEE.
III. The QUALIFICATIONS OF A TEA
CHER.
In studying the qualifications of q
teacher we are reminded of Paul's Bish-
op q Tim. iii, 2-7), q character seldom
found. We have often shut our actual
eyes, and then in Imagination beheld the
presiding officer pictured by the apostle /;
but just as soon as we opened our eyes the
picture would always vanish.
1t is somewhat so with the teacher
He may be contemplated as an ideal be-
ing. and then as a real presence, existing
in mind and existing in fact. The one is
u mental conception the other a living,
moving, speaking mortal.
Let us look at the perfect model. and
perhaps we may be able to detect our
own shortcomings.
In imitation Of the inspired Teachers
we will divide the qualifications of an in
structor into negative and positive.
/. NcJative Qualgacations.-First.
not given to wine. lest, having the brain
| disturbed. he lose the power of reasoning,
and fail to gain that moral a%scendency
over his pupils so essential to good dis
cipline and dignifed authority.
Second, not a striker (not fond of whip
ping), lest he degrade the human mind,
and lower it to the level of the ass.
Third, not covetous, lest he teach
merely for money. and forget that he is
training the finest offspring of the AL
mighty.
Fourth, not self-willed. not \ tyrant,
but a man of principle. guided by wise
constitution.
Fifth. not soon angry. but calm aud
dispassionate.
2. Positive QualJfcatioms.-A good
teacher should be vigilant, patient, honest,
impartial. benevolent. firm. punctual, apt
to teach, apt to govern
He should be vigilant, in order to
watch closely every movement In his
school-room, to detect the beginnings OF
d~isobedience, to notice the neglect OF pu-
pills, to note that everything is moving
forward ~'.decently and in ORDER" and to
enable him to form a just estimate of the
character of his students.
He should be patient, in order to put
up with the infrmities of the young. to
hear a recitation carefully and deliberate
ly. to execute his work thoroughly, to ex-
plain and illustrate q hard question unit
it is completely solved and thoroughly un-
dcrstood, to continue in well-doing, seek
ing to make good scholars.
He should be honest, in order to speak
the truth at all times, and to impress up
on his pupils the importance of develop
ing and sustaining a high moral character
He should be impartial. that he may
decide disputes without -favoritism, OF
without any reference to self-interest II
the future.
lie should be benevolent, that he may
be the better qualified to cultivate the
hearts of others. expanding the good emo
tions and suppressing the malesolent feel
ings.
He should be firm, that he may en-
force discipline in his school with prompt
ness, never turning to the right or left, bu'
moving straight forward in the path o
duty without partiality and without hypo
crisy.
He should be %punctual, always presen
at the moment appointed for opening an'
closing the school, instructing his ciasse
or hearing their recitation, and rigid,
enforcing By his example the importan
principle that without punctuality tn
whole business of society becomes de
ranged.
He should be apt to teach. IN order t
arouse all the teachable qualities of mine
and put them in harmonious movement
to discover capacity and call it in requisi
ton. to accommodate his method to tn
particular mind before him, to temove al
obstacles, to enable a pupil to put of the
old man Of ignorance and put on the new
man Of intelligence. to divest himself @
the filthy rags of vice and invest himsel
! with the beautiful garments Ct virtue.
He shonld be apt to govern. in orde
to keep his school in strict subordinatio'
to law, and carry on the whole work SO a
to contribute to the highest development Q
!, mind.
In our next We will speak Of Method
of Teaching.-Ed. Messenger.