The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1873-03-13
Teachers Department.
Moral Qualifications of Teach

IeIcnef S department.
Moral Qualifications of Teach
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Candidates for examination are fe-
quired by law, to produce satisfactory
evidence of good moral character, to
the Board of Examiners, before they
can issue to them certificates to teach.
This evidence may be had by a per
sonal acquaintance, or certificate to
that effect from the Local Directors,
or some personal friend, IF the Ex-
aminers certify to his moral character
from personal knowledge, they become
responsible for the act, but if some
Local Director or personal friend has
youched for him, he must bear the,
blame if any is attached; but if the
Examiners are satisfied that he is not
deserving, and still yield to other in
huences, who then must bear the
blame? I am aware that it is deli
cate matter for the Examiner or Di-
rector to say to the young man, 'your
mental qualifications are sufficient,
but you are deficient in morals; we
cannot certify to the world that you
bear a good moral character The
standard for intellectual attainments
is perhaps as high as is needed at
present, but we think the moral stand
ard might be raised? or at least
strictly applied, and all parties bene-
fited. @
We have heard of Directors giving
a certificate, &C., 'just to get rid of
them" What would be thought of a
minister or society, who, being troub-
led with an unworthy member, rather
than bring him to justice and cut him
off as unworthy, would give him a let
ter, certifying that he is member in
good standing, and thus send him
out with authority to impose on 9th
ers? Nay, rather let us be true to
ourselves, true to society, and es-
pecialy let us be true to the rising
generation. Perhaps at future time
we may say something in regard to
Local Directors.
But one may ask, "what constitutes
a moral character?' In general
terms, the moral man is one that
keeps the moral law. We viii only
give two or three negative points.
1t is not the man given to profaaai-
tu. ''Thou shalt not take the name
of thy God in vain, says the Deca-
logue. Our Savior says, "Swear not
at all, and we are sorry to say, some
who set themselves up as teachers
and patterns for our children, break
this, an important part of the moral
code.
Surely, the man who uses inton-
eating drinks as beverage, can have
small claim to being moral man.
Our moral code would be considera-
bly, zOaOered, especially when he gets
into the gutter. Who wants his sons
under the influence of such man
five days out of seven? and if they
chance to meet in the neighboring
village on Saturday, the social glass is
offered.
But, says one, 81 am not q drunk
ard" Well, sir, driaker is not far
removed from a draaakarE; they have
common origin, and frequently
have common destination.
But again: the man that plays
games of chance and CANDLES, surely
is not the man whom you would have
your sons to take as model fol
them to pattern after. Who will
claim that playing cards, even to pass
away time, is a moral or profitable
employment?
We do not claim that it is necessa-
ry, SO far as teaching is concerned
that the applicant should possess
religious character, though the high
er his standard the better; yet we dc
say he should be free from the vices
named
But, says another, ''you will cut of
some of our most successful teachers.
We are sorry to say few of our gooc
teachers are addicted to these per
nicious habits; but would they not b.
much better, if they would reform
And we believe nine out of every tel
would, if they k7aeac they would be re
fused a certificate and school unless
they did. a5
Another may say, Il do not indulg'
in any of these things before ing
scholars" If fthey know that you ere
indulge in them, it will have a bat
influence. In vain we admonish oU
sons, while such men are encouraged
and upheld by being employed a
teachers. If any of this class should
read these lines, we entreat you t.
forsake, not your profession, but you
evil practices. Take higher posi-
ton. Make yourself worthy of you
high calling, and teach by precept an'
example, the heart as well as the head
Music i'm Schools.
SICILY, Feb. 1873.
Ed. News As IS" of Mowry
town, pours shot shot" upon me,