Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-03-20
Moral and Spiritual Education.

MEssRs. EDITORS: In your issue of
Thursday, the 18th inst, noticed an ar
tiele ON Education, signed Butler, in
which the writer defines education as
the growth and expansion of the pow
ers and faculties of the mind :" the men,
tai training of pupils till "They become
perfect batteries % intellectual power" &c.
Itseems to me that in the Eticle alluded to,
an important part of mentfl training has
been overlooked. Are not Moral and Spir-
itual culture necessary Accomplishments
to intellectual culture in a full DEVELOPMENT
of the mind? Burke says "Whatever
turns the soul inward upon itself, tends to
concentrate its forces, and fit it for higher
and stronger flights of SCIENCE
Is that not true education, which, while
it instructs the mind, and strengthens the
intellect, also forms the character, and
uuickens virtue? While it enriches the
understanding enlightens the will, and in
connection with other things, strength
ems the ideas of right and wrong? That
which falls short of this, cannot be true
education. sos I-.t.-
The moral and spiritual already exist
within the child's mind, as the flower eX-
lists in the bud, and education is the sun
and the air and the dew to call forth its
beauty and fruitfulness. If this is allowed
to be true, the importance of moral and
spiritual culture must be felt.
Still some may hesitate and say that the
morality taught at home is sufficient, and
that it is needless to introduce it into the
schools. If such culture is good at home,
it must also be good in the school. We
ought not, then, so far separate the intel
lectual from the moral culture as to place
them entirely under the care of different
teachers. 1t may be injurious TO the mind
itself, for the mind should be developed
tremendously. The purifying of the heart
naturally tends to strengthen the intellect
and fit it for the reception Of truth. Ought
we not, then, by morality, to quicken the
mental powers and temper them Alright
Let us learn that moral culture is essen
tial, and that mere mechanical knowledge
is not enough.
1t is the duty of teachers to watch over
the nature, and attend to the spiritual cul-
ture of those under their charge. Enter
ing upon their work with the right pur-
pose, teachers will seek 10 understand their
pupils and become acquainted with their
minds. This is high moral duty. The
child's capacity should bestudied. The
same progress should not be expected in
every scholar, neither should IL be thought
that they all can excel in the same studies.
God may have impaired to one a retentive
memory, and 10 another original powers
of thought. There are some who are OF
quick perception, and whose minds soon
ripen, and yet perhaps those of slower de-
velopment may be found in the end to
have made greater progress The capaci-
ties Of children vary not only in degree,
but in kind therefore the study of the
various capacities is a most important du-
ty, ana one lying at the very root of spirit
ual culture.
The disposition should be studied. This
is also moral duty. Many noble nature
has been injured by having been misun-
derstOod. Boldness is never superior 10
modest worth. Forwardness is not smart
ness, and many who have quick tongue
may have an empty head and bad heart.
Some children need to be encouraged,
some checked; some should be led and per
haps, few driven. The teachers should
study the disposition and the capacity OF
the scholars as closely as they wish them
to study their books. They will then work
with nature and not against her. The die
tates OF Christian morality teach us 10 have
proper respect for the peculiarities Of every
individual.
The example of teachers may lead many
to improvement. Every teachers actions
are living lesson. They may thus be
continually spreading around them their
own virtues. Let them be mild, modest,
good, Let them cherish virtue in them
selves, and respect II in others. Let them
embody the true Christian principles, and
in every act, word and deed, some good
win go forth from them.
If there is sphere in which a pure
Christian example will be likely 10 pro-
duce on the minds Of Others a permanent
influence, IL IL In that Of the teachers.