The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-06-21
For The Cecil Wing.
EDUCATION.

MR.. EDITOR:-NeXt to the matter OF
religion, there is nothing so important to a
community as education. Religion and
education cannot be rightly separated.
1t is true, the latter can live very readily
without the former; but where religion,
squire and undetiled" exists, there is al
ways the desire to have the duty of educa-
ton attended to. There are two things
about which people generally inquire be-
fore removing to another place, churches
and schools; and these two decide a great
many people to locate, when many other
things are very much to their discomfort
and inconvenience. Churches and schools
are, therefore, elements which greatly i'm
prove a neighborhood, even in worldly
point of view. Now we have both Of these
in oul town; but it is of schools want to
speak, and of our Academy in particular.
Neighboring towns know of the Elkton
Academy, and it is patronized by a great
many in our own place. 1t is good school,
with good curricul um of study; having
a very efficient Principal, with two valua-
BILE Assistants. Its course of study is
broad and well calculated to suit a COM
munity like this. Young men are prepar-
ed for College, and young ladies for the
higher departments of female education.
However highly we may value our insti-
tuition, there is one sense in which We fall
short of as good patrons, and that is in visit
ing it. The parents, should judge, know
very little about it's internal workings. If
they do not 60 and see, they cannot find
out ,cAat is taught, or ho,e they teach. 1t
was my pleasure to visit the Academy
recently, and l was surprised to find that
visits are SO " few and far between" that
when they are made, are virtually sur
prises. This is surely not the estimate We
have of the Importance of education in
cur town: We profess to take some pride
in speaking Of our educational advantages,
but what kind of interest IS that, which
never prompts to visit the institution, and
by your presence and words encourage the
scholar, who is striving after that knewl-
edge, which will fit him for the active
duties of life. A benefit is given, both to
the school and to the visitor, who will take
this way of showing an interest in educa-
ton. In the first place the teachers are
benefited. 1t shows an appreciation Of
their self sacrificing work, and cheers their
hearts, by showing an interest in the
school. Teaching often causes impatience
and irritability in the teacher, and that
results badly in the school. A visit, as
indicative of interest in the teachers work,
clears the brow of its wrinkles Of impa-
thence, and invites pleasant words to the
lips, and thaws the ice that is beginning to
form around the heart, and scholars notice
and feel this change,
When l went to school, very we'll re-
member looking with closest scrutiny into
nv teachers face when he entered the
room in the morning, to see whether smiles
or scowls were written therefor that face
was always true barometer of the CON-
ing day; we could always tell whether he,
loved and respected by all, had been en-
couraged and chesred before coming to us,
or chilled and dlsheartened-and what is
more to the point, frequently would an
impending storm be driven away, by the
visit of kindly director, or a few encour-
aging words from casual visitor.
1t is also beneficial to the scholar. Las
situde often visits the school and brings
inaction with it, and as consequence, les
sons are not learned or understood, and
they wish themselves anywhere but in
school. Now visit from director or a
friend. is like stone thrown into this
staenant pcol. Scholars brighten up and
lose their listlessnses, and try to appear
we'll before their visitor, and they are en-
couraged and pleased by this evidence of
interest in their welfare.
Then it is beneficial to the visitor. His
heart il GARNER for the education of his
place. He resoigsc to support more sener
ouslv the institution ana be- more faithful
to the interests of education in oar midst.
Frequently visit the school, they would
stimulate their children to greater earnest
ness and Diligence; cheer the heart of the
teacher, thereby causing him to be more
efficient and satisfactory. aad YARN up
their own hearts in the interests of eauca-
ton, and by this, do lasting good to our
.o,,munitv If this were realized do not
th;..k this community would allow Grip
Ming deUt 70 stand on the academy, and
iniure it's usefulnssa a2y longer. Ministers
of the town, business men. aiil ;n,ost of all,
narents who have ('iidren there at.iSr
instruction. make it a purpose to visit the
Academy aud encourage its efficient teach
ar. and stimulate the students to greater dill
igence, to their effort to get All education.