The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1877-06-14

upon which are reared the towering struc
ture of our higher and more important
faculties. tits the mirror in which comes
and goes the reflection of our spiritual life
without intellectual culture our bodies are
but caskets whose contents are valueless,
and this culture is SO obviously a want
and a duty, that none who enter earnestly
upon the great work of life will neglect it.
Books are very useful helps to knowledge,
but they are not the primary and natural
sources of culture, not creative powers,
but merely helps. The success of this
work depends entirely on ourselves. Our
advantages may be many, but much is
still possible in the way of self-improve.
ment, and the more difficult the attain
ment, the more useful it may prove. Love
of the beautiful ever attracts and urges
onward; it's the power of the world-sub-
shutting for the rude and uncultured, re-
finement and power. Our moral nature
also demands special culture. 1t supplies
US with both the motive and regulative
power. What a blessing is pure heart,
each desire chastened and regulated.
Every train of thought tending to elevate,
apure heart will be obtained-the one
thing we must possess if we would make
life truly successful. We cannot expect to
make our characters perfect, for imper-
lection is inseperable from life, but our
aim should be to come as near perfection
as we can. Closely allied with the moral
nature is the spiritual, and in the great
journey of life filled with so many cares
and duties, we are apt to neglect choosing
the better part and drift onward to eterni-
ty without the guidance Of that loving
hand above US, unprepared for the great
hereafter. The work of self-culture is
one that ends only with life. Finally
when this great life-work is finished and
we lay down our chisel for the long, long
rest, our sculpture will be just what we
have made it, and if we grasp every op-
Lortunity for self-improvement be it ever
| so small, determined to make our lives as
successful as we can, trusting in our heav-
emily father for help, we will at last when
our talents are returned to the giver, hear
the welcome appreciation, well DONE.
Miss JUNIATA SHEPHERD Of Charlton,
Iowa, followed with an essay on "The
Teachers Profession" The following is
a synopsissof her essay:
THE TEACHERS PROFESSION.
While contemplating the works Of the
people of our day, our attention is neces-
sarily attracted by their many pursuits,
some of which are called professions. The
teachers profession claims our attention
first and above all; for what other pro-
fession can claim more Importance to the
people than the one which is responsible
for the intellectual, and, to a very great
extent, the moral culture of our whole
people. The true aim of teaching may be
briefly defined, to train the young, aiming
to make of them the best and most useful
citizens, the ablest men and women. OF
the labor required to do this, it may be
said, there is no end. In the first place
the teacher must have fair understand
ing Of all the various br anches Of learning
known to man, SO that he may have well
grounded opinions on all Of them. But
especially he must be thoroughly CONVEX
SAINT with the subjects he hopes to teach,
for if he have not the knowledge himself,
it is certain he will not impart it to others,
and the more difficult problems are those
which he is called upon to explain. In
the study Of his profess ion the first prob
lem is to find the best manner Of pres emit
ing subject, the object being to store the
mind with as much useful knowledg as
possible and develop the pow ers of the
enthusiasm that will prompt to energetic
self culture after it leaves the care of the
teacher. Then, there is necessary in the
teacher the ability to adapt himself to cir
cumstances in the way of suiting the in
struction to the age and understanding of
a particular class of pupils. He must al
so govern the school. The object aimed
at should be twofold: to preserve order
and to train to habits Of self-governme mt.
But here arises the question, h ow to train
to habits of selfgovernment? in every
thing else practice makes perfect. The
pupils must be allowed to govern them
selves-not govern themselves absolutely
Of course, but each one should be allowed
to govern himself as far as may be con-
sistent with good order. This is a diff
cult task, because it is hard to determine
just how much ability in this direction
one is possessed of, for those even OF
equal age differ in ability to govern them
selves, owing to a difference in previous
training and instruction, and if one finds
that you hold another under less restraint
than you do him he will complain of par
TALLY and if pupils entertain this belief
the difficulty in governing is increased ten
fold. Another inconvenience under which
the teacher labors is the pecul lar respon-
sibility incident to his position and rela-
ton. There are many patrons and each
one perhaps has different theory Of gov
eminent and instruction. The teach
er must differ from some Of these and
some one is dissatisfied. If there should
be any trouble in the school ca Oh pupil re-
ports it to his parents, and if the report
varies any from the truth the variation is
almost always in favor of the pupil. To
those who may be thinking of engaging
the profession of teaching, say if you
are unwilling to take upon yourselves the
labor, the responsibility, the care here
spoken of, do not enter the profession, but
if youare willing to sufficiently prepare
yourselves to accept the responsibility and
labor earnestly to do your work well, then
rest assured of hearty welcome by the
teaching fraternity, and success in your
| chosen profession.
Next followed an essay entitled elm
| portance Of an Aim in Life" by Miss
LEoNA SAMPSON OF Sigourney, Iowa, who
captivated her hearers at once by her
graceful bearing and pleasant voice. Her
pronunci alton was clear and distinct, free
and easy, her expressions carefully select.
ed, and the thought and sentiment evinced
a mind highly cultivated. We give below
synopsis OF her remarks, which at best,
convey very poorly, an idea of the man.
ner in which she handled her subject;
1.-THE IMPORTANCE OF AN AIM IN LIFE"
Shakespeare says, there is Divinity
which shapes our ends" but, in this age
of progress and great achievements, we
must have some aim and some object in
view as landmark on the desert waste
of lfe,-some light on the trackless food
of years, to guide the weary traveller to
his final home. Many lives to-day are
but shipwrecks on the living deep, tossed
here and there at the mercy Of the wind
chasing every phantom which desire die.
tates, and neglecting the great purpose
and usefulness of life's work. No mar
has right TO go through life, whatever