Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-02-26
For the Free Press and Times
Defects In Modern school Education.

| = It's education forms the common Il nd.
| Just as the twig IS bent the trees iLclinet'
1t has become very common 70 sIy-->l
common that We doubt not there it truth in
it that there is now much les OF chat care
ful religious instruction and training al
home that characterized New England in
her early history-that which issued in the
fear of God, which the wise man calls - the
beginning of WISDOM" that " knowledge
of tho holy which is understanding. Hence
the whole tone ST social and moral life l.
lowered there is less regard b night and
duty between man and man, and more for
superiority and success. But 10 pass by
this primal source OF instruction and in
fuence, and 50 Of character, public and
private, Is there not another clear reason
and potent force for this loweringOt charaN-
ter in the spirit and manner N
which our schools have been IN time
past, and are now, in majority of cases
conducted To those that have sconned
these promoters of the public life and man
ners, II is clear that the qualities ana cul-
ture Of the heart have been les priced than
the activities and faculties Of the mind. No
careful performance OF dutY has 50 secured
the favor Of the school. or in most eases the
admiration Of the teacher and patrons Of
the school. as some Intellectual exercise
some sharpness and quickness that gives
the one that possesses it supremacy, and
secures him q triumph over equals snd
rivals
Have not the schools been administered
upon the suppositi0n that know ledge i be-
fore virtue il value, right ami wrong sub
ordinate to success, and 50 learning gLd
knowledge are the principal things; Look
through the schools, both common and high.
to see % what an extent this il Sd. Are not
the scales Of merit that are Adopted he
marks and prizes Of appr0ba-l0n chat are
offered from the class in spelling in the pri-
mary department, up through all To those
that strive for the mastery in - lnter-Col-
legiate Literary Contests appeals 70 the
intellect rather than. ~ the heart il Is
even claimed tor the late - lnter-C Collegiate
Literary COatest. " the first our County has
wiinl ssti, that '- Tor the irst time, the true
IDEA OF College lille found fitting expression
IL the hearing OF American teachers
And that the undergraduates who planned
this contest, contest in which the spirit Of
rivalry Is certainly prominent, and the sum
mum t0auGi prize TO be placed on the
brow Of the victor, =" have devised plan
that shall be the ornament and cr0wning
glory OF our whole educational system
From first to last. with rare exceptions, the
r
ehanlcal performances, whether these result
from Industrial application, constitutional
aptitude and qulckness. superior endOw-
mentS, or from whatever cause. Seldom
are rewards offered to those thai make the
best progress in manners and moral excel
Ienee, to those that are most punctual and
perseyering N duty; practise self denial
and ae4ulr the greatest control over them
selves; show the clearest integrity, disin-
and benevolence or. ia short.
come nearest 10 the Christian standard or
Il child or man.
The result of all this j.. there Is little OF
no real culture Of the heart out OF which
are the issues of life. Children grow up so
far a. school influence promotes growth. |
with desire for the SNOWY and cOmpli- /
rather than the substantial and /
good, with large heads and little hearts and /
les manners, 10 be selfish, shreSd and cal /
cu4atlng eTer learning but never able 10 /
some to The truth learning how to get I
and take advantage how - secure popu- /
lar favor in a community not q well taught /
IS themselves; how 70 obtain and hold I
offices OF trust, profit and power for " ich
they are least fitted. Success from such
Is dangerous thing. Il leads
10 sell assurance confidence. and the pride
NAT goeth before destruction, " and the
laughtIness that precsdes fall.
The lessons taught and learned in ,bsse
schools Of childhood are he - most 10 be
ADMIRED who turns his talents 10 the bsss
PERSONAL account, and raises himself 10 the
highest distinction among his fellow men.
hough IN his rise ne heedleSsly hurl han
ireds and thousands Of Others back 10 the
lead level OF low life. Prac.ised in the
business OF manhood, these lessons bring
orth their better fruit. They bring forth
men OF keenest intellect and largest knowl
dge with the least virtue men. subtle and
Inc ,servng-rather than generous, patriot
c, ana phl.Gnthropio men that press for
ward IN untiring and INSCRIPTIONS compe-
itIon Tor social and political promotion.
)thees Of trust are 10 these men objects Of
mbitious pursuit, and stimulants to arti-
&c and intrigue. SUCH men are the leciti-
nate and natural leaders ant promoters Of
Credit Mobilier Transactions, -" Salary !
'rabs, " Subsidies" and " Rings. 80
We would be very far from writing l
.rade upon our schools, cc-,Ecn c. L.rh
w2g,l o,;lY make iUst.y prominent \
ldical defect in their Observation-Disclosures
e4altlng mental before moral qualities IL
hem. IL Is not the fact that there Is NJ .
orrect moral teaching in our schools. auv I
lore tnan that there Is no right training in
ne family. There are both teachers and c
arents and guardians that fear God. and .
re wise to " command their children and
ousehold after them and to train them S
IN the way they should 90" We turn '
ltention. however, to the spirit and man 2
er OF much, if not Of mes, O. what IS
'ught tos and called successful teaching. {
inquire II this Is not the beginning orat J
asst the powerful promoter Of that shame. I
which we have oflate been put before the 2
iticns, IN tho deiectiOns 50 prominent il a
IN public and private life 4 o Z a