The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-08-14
EDUCATIONAL.

HACKER y CREEk, aug |, loil'
To Tie Elitor " The Democrat:
FrLLow.TEAcmERs OF l.Ewm:-Thc
want Of interest, on the part Of both
teacher Nnd patron, in geu,rHl "iacd-
tim, aud the more dcplorablc want Of
aa uniform system Of instruction on
our part. make it our imperative duty
to put forth new energies, that We may
both protect ana sustain the honor Of
cur profession aud the uOblcst feature
Of the c, Institution Of our State.
In comparing the efficiency Of the
teachers Of the adjoining counties with
that of Lewis. one cannot fail but m' rk
their superiority and our inferiority.
They have m uniform and regular syS-
ten, of iustruc,ion-we n total s6Scace
Of all uniformity. They arc thorough,
wide awake. aud practical teachers,
While We, as whole, are deficient in
Theory, as well as the practical part
Of teaching.
Many ask, why this diie.cnce ?
There can be only one answer u the
quciion-tliey owe their superiority
and thoreughne.s to their Teachers
Associations, There they have the
opportunity Of consulting together and
discussing the various questions per.
tanning TO the profession. There tho
Teacher not ouly gains an extensive
knowledge Of tho branches taught in
the Primary School; hut Of the man.
acr Of imparting and imprcsing the
Same upon the mind of the young.
There each individual las practical
demonstration of ,ach Teachers meth.
cd oftcacl'ing, aud tlu merits aud dis i.
advantages Of each readily present
themselves to the mind thus saving
the Teacher the trying Of endless cx-
perrin cn,s to arrive at tho desired re.
suit.
re ching is a profession well c.lcu.
lated TO c,ll into action all the energies
Of a lofty manhood and true woman
hood set many enter tho profession
without regard TO their ability to meet
its great responsibilities. They arc
lacking not only in general scholar.
SHY, but in the practical par,of teach.
ing. Many are Satisfied with the least
possible amount Of learning which will
enable them to pass IN examination,
and regard he her attainmcnts quite
supcthuous-quitc iorgctfal Of the
fact that the higlo t scholastic attain
mcnts may b. made available in teach.
Ing tho Common School. Many do
not fcrl, as they should, the great 70.
sponsibili,ics they assume, and ella, 50
marks every true 7carher.
Teachers, We must magnify our call
ing! va must keep the IDEAL Of our
work before us, aud strive to make
ourselves worthy Of our calling True
Touching is a power; aud it Is greatly
to bc familiar with the ideal
Of our calling. The lawyer. the ply
stefan. the editor, have each a noble
profession il nobly practieed, aud they
ought to have frequent reasons 10 think
Of tho ideals Of their occupations, lest
by the drag of routine they losc their
enthusiasm, or ignobly sink into mere
moncy.makers. The lawyer should be
l minister Of justice between man and
nan-tle physician minister Of heal
ing to the sick aud broken in body
The editor medium for tho diflusion
Of truth and knoWlo 'gO-,he teacher a
luiekener Of general intelligence
voice for truth, right, aud humanity.
True ideals must bc keptiu view, and
The great question that should press ii.
self upon the mind Of every teacher. is
"Arc we discbarging tue duty vO owe
TO the pupil, aud tue responsibilities
that devolvc upOu US as teachers, un-
less We use every available means in
our power tic Ct and qualify ourselves
for tho work." TmpOrfCctious and
want Of skill may be pardOnable III the
artisan, but in tho physician nCrcr
In assuming the office Oficneher, We
arc the physician, Upon US dOyclvc
the great and arduOuS responsibilities
Of training the tender mind Of the ris-