Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1873-12-06

Try III Tue ART OF teacnlng, ana lmpart-
ing to teachers an earnest enthusiastic
appreciation of the work they have to
do, is, we think, indispensable. The
true teacher, alive to the full apprecia-
ton of all its duties and responsible
ties clearly stereotyped on mind and
heart, is one of earth's greatest and
noblest benefactors. The impress ofhis
noble energies is felt, not only on the
susceptible minds and hearts Of child
hood, but its influence is extended to
society-improving and elevating it,
thus giving an increased animus to its
prosperity. The moulding hand of the
teacher has left its impress upon the
historic page of every age and nation.
Though silent and obscure his influence
will live as long as the fame of the
orators, poets, philosophers, statesmen
and heroes, who have adorned and
dazzled the world, shall live. The
noblest achievements of Alexander the
Great but reflect the instructions of
his teacher, Aristotle. The immortal
writings and sayings of Socrates are
but the reflex of the teachings of
Xenophon, Alcibiades, and Plato, his
instructions in the school of philoso-
ply.
The noble, self-sacrifcing efforts of
the teacher reach out beyond the con-
fines of this life. The impressions
made upon the immortal mind are i'm
perishable. How to mould those i'm
pressions into a form that will best
adorn and beautify character, shaping
it into mental and moral beauty, fit
ting it for present and a future life
should be the earnest, persistent study
of every teacher. Who can estimate
the sacred responsibilities resting upon
him in shaping the character and des-
tiny of the immortalsoul? Who would
dare to wrest one single laurel from his
brow? How dare he shrink from the
labor and effort necessary to shape the
eternal destiny of a responsible being?
Is it not his sacred duty to prepare
himself by self-culture for the con-
scientious discharge of duty? Is he
prepared for this sublime work until,
by force of example, by energy of will,
by earnest, patient, persistent applica-
ton he is enabled to devote himself,
body, soul and mind to the whole work
that is before him. We should aim at
perfection in all our endeavors. Can
we hope to obtain even proximate
perfection in any branch of science or
art, unless, by thorough cultivation
and constant practice we have made
ourselves proficient in that branch
The sculptor who is able to cut from
the cold, dead marble, an almost liv-
ing, breathing form, has acquired his
skill only through earnest, patient toll,
so the teacher who would become an
adept in the art of moulding charac-
ter, and advancing his pupils in intel
lectual culture, should prepare him
self for his sublime mission, by earn
est mental application. He should
become deeply interested in the work
before him, and interest in him will
beget corresponding interest in mis-
pupils. Constantly acquiring informa-
ton himself, he will naturally seek to
communicate it to his pupils and they,
inspirited by his enthusiastic manner
of communicating his newly acquired
ideas, will have their attention drawn
more intently to the subject.
Again, no teacher can hope to attain
the end for which he labors, viz /: the
mental and moral training of his pu-
pills, until by force of example he is
able to surmount every obstacle, and
stand before them a perfect model of
self-control. He should at all times
be surrounded by moral atmosphere
so pure as to be felt and inhaled by
his pupils. Man has heart as we'll
as head-a conscience, as well as an
intellect" In order to fulfill his high
destiny he must be-virtuous as we'll as
: wise. He must be charitable, kind,
honest and humane, as well as posses
sed of ability to reason, imagine, class
ify and remember. The education OF
the heart once secured, the education
of the head becomes to the skilful
teacher pleasing task.
In view of the almost sacred respon-
sibilities resting upon teachers, it be-
comes their imperative duty to prepare
themselves carefully and thoroughly
for the grave duties that devolve upon
them. Every known faculty, that can
be brought to bear in accomplishing
this important end, should be unhesi
tatingly provided by those in authori-
ty, so that all defects in self-culture on
the part of instructors may be careful
ly remedied. Many of the States in
the Union have Normal schools for the
training of teachers in the art of teach,
ing The day will surely come, and il
is to be hoped, is not far distant, when
schools of this character will be es-
tablished In this State Until that
. time comes, we must look to the
teachers institutes, and the efforts OF
the teacher for self-improvement, to
promote that maturity of development
so essential to their success and the
well being of the pupil. Let us have
teachers institutes in the county Let
us endeavor to improve and elevate the
standard of teaching even though il
may cost few dollars and cents to do
so. The services of able and efficient
educators can be secured to assist in
making the institute useful and in
structive. Let this powerful lever be
used in making our teachers compe-
tent, and the county of Montgomery
will again take its position in the
front rank in educational improve
ment ip the State.
n j.. WHITFIELD.