The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-06-09
written for the Rutland GLoBEl.
simplicity of Character in Educa-
ton


Simplicity of character as effected by
the common school system, is an important
point worthy of consideration in education.
Every good has its danger. Even the bless
ing of education is purchased at risk.
There have not been wanting philosophers
and thinking men, who, after considering
how often naturalness goes out rs knowl-
edge comes in, have seriously asked the
question, whether the result iustifies the
expense Whether blessed ignorance were
not better? And, looking on one side of
the matter, we find enough to warrant the
oloqucncc of Rosseau about state Of ma
turc, and to make us sympathize who fear
the mischief of schools, and hooks, and
systems, may do to simplicity, liyeliness
and harmony of the young mind. This,
we know, is but an incidental evil, and by
no means the legitimate and necessary re-
suit of education. If the character loses
what the intellect gains, it proves only bad
or partial education. The writer, there
fore, proposes to consider the danger which
there IL in all instruction of imparing the
simplicity and sincerity of the pupils char
acter during the process of instructing the
mind.
The importance of simplicity both in
scholar and teacher is an important subject
for discussion. This will necessarily in
volvc the motives which the teacher must
address if he would win the young mind
to the knowledge rather to be called wis
dom, which builds up-thc knowledge
which makes true man, and does not
merely adorn false one.
In discovering what is wanting in our
schools, II few observations upon society
may be allowed. Wherein does society,
wherein do all men disappoint us? What
are the social sins, the fashions, the idols,
the vanties, the prejudices, which so pre-
vail that the public are sickencd and blush
for the race, and some declare that virtue
and truth find small encouragement and
tempt us to acknowledge the theory that
the art of life consists in effecting cum
ming and happy compromise with the
world These are but the fruits of cduca
= ton If almost nobody is sincere, if al
are artificial, cunning, calculating, polite
pedantic, time-scrving, it is because thes'
l things are taught most eifcctually thougl
perhaps unconsciously, while it is pro
fessed to teach only letters and numbers
classes and science; it is because NOR
e pains is taken to teach than to educate be
= cause the scholar is given so much to learn
c without considering in what spirit he vii
; learn it because the intellect is often en-
t lightcned at the expense of its own integ
: rity, and, in the haste to teach the chill
5 many truths, fear not to sacrifice his self
= truth because more is thought of the lss0l
Man of the scholar, and the aim is more t
V bestow accomplishments than to inspir
|. life 1t is feared that most systems of edu
l. cation tend to foster in the child that pusi
;. lanimity, that subscrvicncc to opinion, tina
IS want of candor, simplicity and heartines'
q which are rcigning vices of society; thG
all those little fountains of knowledge, til
:, schools, opened here and there in the dr.
!, desert of politics, and trade and fashion
~ yet play too much in the market place, an
II that education takes its cue from these al
= absorbing and eorrupting influences; that
/ narrow regard to utility, and still bas'
10 one to appearances, determines too hH I.
i, aha 4iTainyBG,nnd, euItHGTGaa ted to to be me
e chants, politicians, successful competito
J. in the great show of the world, and not
,c be true and single-minded men, fountain
m of life and beauty and goodness, flown
n from Within and adultcratcd from wit
IN out
w Having made these general observation
f. on the defects of our educational system "
X shall, in the next article, consider mo
re specifically what simplicity of character
II and its relations to education. ''s."