Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-06-05
Parents and Teachers,

| 's"N ANuNhSios
Some things will not endure the division
of central responsibility; and the one es-
pecial thing of this sort, is the character
training OF II child. Either the parent
must do this work, or somebody will be
drlited INTO, or will usurp his place. An
eminent teacher in far western state
writes to us of class of boys from good
families, placed in bis school chiefly for
discipline. Not one of them seems to have
any real conception of right and wrong,
|hnd the conscience seemed to await it,
birthday. 1t Is amazing what multitudes
of these characteress children are found
IN the higher ranks of our new American
society. considerable class of private
schools has grown up, within the last
twenty years, whose pupils, to large ex-
extent, consist of these moral nondescripts
and perverts. it would shock everyb bod,
VINO mas not examined the matter, to be
told how many of the children and young
people, IN all our schools, are virtually
abandoned by their parents, 50 far as CON
Germs their moral disci pline, and cast upon
their teachers. No wise and good man,
who realizes the weight of responsibility
cast upon the instsnctors of our public
schools, Will do any thing TO lower the
quality OF this class Of public scrvants,-to
bring them into public contempt, Or to take
away any influence for moulding charac-
ters now in their hands. The last refine
ment OF cruelty seems TO us to be found
lin the parent who thrusts spoil, child
nto school, holds the teacher responsible
for his character and culture, and then de-
mands that his diseased or unborn ICON
science shall not be worried by any ex-
horlalion upon his moral and religious
duties, or any quotation from the Book
that is the acknowledged standard of char
acter in all civilized lands!
1t is one of the benefcent dispensations
Tor providence that no child shall perish
morally without one opportunity for NOR
al supervision. When the parent fails of
his center of life, the Good Father always
inspires some teacher, friend, or stranger
to bear the message of love and righteous
ness to this imperiled child But while we
thank God that He does not leave the least
ol HIS little ones uncared for, we must,
nevertheless, insist on the duty of every
parett to train up Ills own children in the
way they should 90. And most import
'ht part OF that moral training is parental
co 0pcrdtGon Oi h teacherS of every class of
schools. From the kindergarten up to the
university every parent is bound, by the
most sacred obligation, to know the teach
er OF Ills chlld,-to have a clear idea of his
personal character, habits, and tendencies :;
TO nave tuIl understanding, even to II
confidential relation with him, in all mat
ters relating TO moral discipline, and to be
spiritually on hand in any emergency.
And yet what fragrant neglect of this
commonplace duty we find everywhere !
low many OF the readers of these words.
who are parents, even know the teachers
Oh their children, on the streetR How many
visit the school room, where these little
people spend their most vital hours, after
the age of six yearsp How many invite the
teacher to their homes, and give her or
him the social recognition Without which
the child invariably regards the instructor
rs n sort of outdoor upper-class SERVANT
And how many, even professedly religious.
mothers can hold an hours conversation
lconcerning the character training of their
children, with the men and women whose
moral influence lmmeasurably transcends
that of their minis er in the church, To
one who spends much time in schools, it
almost seems as if the pupils were moral
ioundlnSs, so little does the parental in
lluence for good appear in the school room.
The vast majority of respectable people
never approach the teachers except as
strangers, and hearing complaints founded
upon the one-sde statements of their off
>prlng; or, worse yet, contine themselves
to unklnd criticism, and reckless gossip
about The teachers, whom they first drive
TO pecuniary straits, then freeze with social
neglect, and then condemn for not doing
the work Of moral discipline, long since
repudiated by themselves.
1t does not meet the point to say that
teachers, rs II class, are opinionated, des-
potic and impatient of advice. Ii thev
are so, it is chiefly the reaction from the
lack of confidence and respect of parents,
and necessity of the overwhelming re-
sponsiblily cast upon them. If II Chris
tian mother needs the nerve of a soldier to
mango her one pet mischief, amid all the
advantages of IL comfortable home, how
can the other woman across the way, teach
and govern her miscellaneous crowd the
pets or pests of score of homes, working
amli the surroundings that the people are
willing to afford herp We never knew a
good teacher of children who did not long
for the confidence and perpetual counte
tenance OF the parents of her pupils; and
the teacher who resents or shuns such
confidence is unfit to hold a position in
any school.
Neither should it be said that parents
are incompetent to advise with the teach
ers in this radical department of school
life. 1t is not necessary that father should
understand the classics, the sciences, OF
the mathematics. in order to know thor
oughly the moral tendencies of his son
and be competent, Mt least, to give valua-
bic suggestions in regard to his training.
Or, if he does feel himself incompetent,
that is the best of reasons why he should
take himself at once, morally and spiritu-
ally, in hand. In this way, wise teach
er may often become the most valuable
moral assistant to the parent, in holding
him up to his responsibility as an example
to his child. The most fruitful book for
school teachers ever written, Pastilozzi's
famous tract (" How Gertrude Teaches
her Children" is only chronicle of the
every day home life of Swiss peasant
methods of instruction taught in normal
schools are drawn from the observation of
the natural ways by which plain. good
people impart knowledge of common
things and homely duties. The most I'M
lettered parent can give invaluable infor-
nation 10 the most accomplished universe.
ty professor or president, concerning the
moral handling of his son. If the fathers
and mothers of students in college would
insist on knowing at least one professor,
and trying to inspire him with personal
interest in their boy, there would be fewer