Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-12-03

We print this week another contribution
from our esteemed correspondent. Jona-
than Lawrence, Esq, on the subject O
Education, and we hope for a continuance
of articles from his pen on this and Other
subjects of value and interest TO our read
ers. As our readers will see, age has mol
diminished his vigor of thought or force
of expression, and though we may moi
agree with him in all points we recognize,
and cheerfully, the right of others t.
opinions and the free expression of them.
rs we claim it ourself. First, in regard IL
reading lcssons-the primary use of read
ing lessons is to teach the pupils to read
and that end will be best gained by sucl
selections as will interest the pupil. S.
lections having in view the intoxicating #
some lesson or the pointing of some moral
must he very skillfully constructed or the
pupil at once discovers the snare laid fer
him, and all interest in the thing ccas ;
and becomes Il thing to avoid rather ihat
acquire. A men'&l glance over the Sur
day school literature of twenty-five yea s
ago-which treated hiefly of miraculousl,
good little boys and their early remove
highly respected minister, generally tie
writer; or IF bud boys who went fishine
Sundays and got drowned, or subsequently,
went Ia prisan-will give Il tolcrable idea
Of this
~ to the branches to be studied in
school. or to he taught in schools, it is Just
AS much the duty Of teachers not to teach
studies not included in the common school
course as to teach those which are includ-
ed. Our common schools are supposed to
be operated on the same principle as is
our government, the rule of the majority,
or he greatest good to the greatest num-
Der, and if certain branches only are
proper to be taught in the common school
to secure that result, then it is not proper
for the teacher to take time from her
legitimate duties to teach branches outside
that course. If the course is improperly
arranged it should be changed, and this
brings the question to this, Is book keeping
u study proper for the common school!
That there may be exceptions where the
teacher might introduce studies outside
the prescribed course without detrment tc
the remaining scholars, and with benefit
10 tho,e taking such studies, we think is
quite certain. How the question SHOULD
be answered, we do not feel competent tc
de 'ide, but leave it to those whose &C
gu tDtance with our schools and who's,
att inments better fit for the duty
We can readily conceive how very in
teresting exercises in reading might b.
compiled on some of the various themes
nlmed, and think Bro. Hbbard, of tn,
Ludlow Tribune, might be the man t.
make an interesting article on teaching
calves to drink, or story we heard of
cool mans trying to do the job in hi
Sunday clothes and keep his Sunday franz
of mind might be interesting enough, bu
whether it would tend TO enamor the DO,
with the business, or make him shun thu
farm, we are not quite certain. We ar,
certainly in favor of the best educatio,
possible, not for farmers boys only, bu
for all boys and girls, and the more thu
subject is discussed the better we shall b.
pleased. But we think there is too mucl
o. this theory" business, and Bro. Law
renee just touches on it when he speaks o
tn " theory of cobbling, tinkering, etc.
Of which we have no intelligent idea.
Keep the ball rolling and by agitation
an discussion we will soon come to tn
truth. And that is what we are all 10 kin
for, though in different directions, an
who shall tell where it may at last b,
foundP