The Grange advance., 1873-10-22

books Of reference and general reading, is
needed, not only for the teachers use, but
also for the use of the pupils of the higher
grades, that they may be taught how to
read and acquire taste for reading that
will be elevating in it's tendency
and add to the general culture Of the read
er. The young should be taught to reject
bad book and seek the good, the useful.
This can be done in measure, if the
means are placed in the hands of the
teacher.
Besides good scholarship, constantly i'm
proving, the teacher must be familiar with
the improved methods Of teaching. Moth
| ing is easier than to have mistaken conf
dence on this subject. School life is chang
ing. Pupils leave school at an earlier age
than formerly. The subjects to be studied
are more numerous. Every year higher
degree of scholarship is required for the
average man. The question is how to do
more work in less time. This question is
receiving the attention of the ablest educa-
tors in the land. It becomes every teacher
to know what methods have been discard
ed, and what new ones are approved and
what disapproved, and this, too, with refer
ence to every branch Of knowledge taught
in our schools.
Good teaching is impossible without
personal interest and pleasure in the pro-
gress of the pupils. This leads to care
full study Of their individual character, and
a diligent search for the good points that
are to be found in every nature, and the
avenues to the heart. In every pupil there
is some chord whose vibration, if touched
by skillful hand, will lead him upward.
Diligent study Of the pupils, their sur.
roundings, what they are, what they ought
to be, and what they may become, is the
part of the true teacher
But thorough, faithful teaching does not
always carry on the school smoothly.
Long travel on the beaten track may avoid
all jar. Advancing to new fields will some
times produce friction; but better the fric-
tion than no progress. The happiness o1
pupils ought indeed to be constantly
sought but it should be the happines.
that comes from healthy, intellectual train.
ing and growth, not that Of indulgence in
pernicious habits. The faithful surgeon
sometimes causes pain for the patients
good; so the discipline of thorough teach.
ing may at the time be irksome, yet it il
best. The approval of the trained scholar,
that is to be, rather than that Of the undis.
ciplined youth before her, should be the
teachers reward.
! Above all, a strong, manly or womanly
character-virtuous, truthful, honest, just
and generous-slone is fitted for the con-
troll Of the young. Pupils look for these
qualities. They should never lose the
confidence through the failure of !,
teacher. There is no sadder sight tha, :,
attempt Of one knowing herself to - y,
true, and yet trying to make it appe Ar III
she is giving all needed instructio !, to .,
young, before whose searching 4ves h,
true self cannot long be concealed
The object Of school is not to aco,;,
knowledge merely; it is not a lone to 4,
velop the mind and insur a health
growth; the broader aim Il cultiv.tin
true manhood and womanh .na .ho,,a -,
ways be in view. veryi early childre
learn to deceive. By p'!eoe,t and . M,
example they should BE taught to h
severely truthful; for! there i. no ea.;e
and no worse vice t1Iaan lying: They ~
selfish; the pleasures Of generous cond,c
should be brought 10 their view. rhev =,
indolent; the sw]5et rewards of toll shout,
be theirs. Nople Of these thinas can h
taught till thS;y are first apprehended ant
acted out. Such are some Of the oual;fca
tions Of . good teacher. Should les, b,
desired in those who are to form the mind,
OF chlidren? It Is not discouraeinp tc
know that few hsve attsined this standard
for the virtue consists in striving for it,
ana many are. 80 doing. Least useful Of
81 are those who have come up to their
own ideal excellence. They should Be
allowed to rsti1e st onoe on their l.urels.
The Board Of Education has not more