Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1874-07-30
For the Herald
OUR SCHOOLS-eArtIc No. L.
BY REV. A. C. HIRST.

The mental and moral training of the
youth, is subject that claims the atten-
tIon of every loving parents matter of
the utmost importance and interest to this
entire community. And as the writer, by
the declaration of ''the powers that be-"
stands in this work of training, in a some
| what new, but meme the less important re-
latlon to the people of Washington, he has
telt that fitting introduction to this new
and trustworthy position, would be secur
ed by short series of ''famillier talks on
the subject heading this article. The pres
ent object is to call more especial atten-
ton to the High School and its course of
study recently adopted by a unanimous
vote of the Board of Education, every
member of which is anxious and will earn
testify labor to give in every department of
he schools, such facilities for careful
mental culture and heart development as
will ensure to every pupil who does his du-
ty and takes advantage of these facilities,
trusty weapons and well tried armor for
LIES great battle. Perhaps but little
thought has been given to the influence
good High School exerts on a community
or the necessity that exists for its estab-
lshments and liberal and cordial support
l unhesitatingly pronounce such High
School as is now contemplated here, of in
estimable value in its beneficial effects up
on the Grammar and Primary Schools
The genius of the great system of Com
mon Schools-the glory and pride of Amer
ica--contemplates just such School and
just such advantages for the people, as we
advocate. In the late report of the Super
intendent of the Public Schools of Phila-
delphia, the assertion is boldly made, that
the influence of the High School, upon all
other schools, is believed, by careful OBJ
seryation, to be worth far more than its
cost in dollars and cents, (Which is very
considerable according to their published
repOrD, and this, too, Independent of the
real advantages obtained by the actual pu-
pills OF the High School. 1 believe that
fair and honest test of the course of in
struction now proposed for our High School
will, at the end of the next school year, call
fourth the same. assertion from this COM
munity. Such a course of study will be
an incentive to honest work, close applica-
ton to duty, regularity and punctuality--
proper use Of the golden moments--an
incentive to these, Of character so posi-
tive as not to be gained in any other way.
Thorough scholarship will be thus secured,
Al
| young men and women, impulses that are
manly and womanly, and deep desire for
thorough intellectual culture, will call
fourth indefatigable efforts to maintain the
high standard of scholarship and throw
about our Schools an enviable reputation.
Moreover it is affirmed, by the writer, that
this impulse-this electric influence, will
run through all the schools, and the "little
ones" of the Primary will feel its influence
and will be guided by its power. In view
of these facts I appeal to you, Citizens of
Washington, to look well to the future, ard
give your earnest and hearty support to the
Schools in your midst, for there is no civil
institution that imposes on you higher du-
ty, or brings more honorable pride to pa
rents heart. In my next, the requirements
and advantages of this course of study will
be examined.