The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-05-15
THE PIBLYC SCHOOLS.
THOR UBos and Wants--Itow to Effect tho
Purpose DcsigMod.
NfiNtREI, IfOI,n

| IAE FCDLfC SCbOOLS.
| Thotr VBoS and Wants--Itow to Effect thu
! Purpose Designed.
NUMBER Four.
There is another important view 0!
the teachers work, which tonds to
illustrate the point mentioned in my
last article. This shall mention,
though at the risk of appearing
abstruse to- some and prolix to others.
l allude to tho origin of ideas. sup.
few now hold to tho old theory that
the mind, ut birth, is only passive, re-
ceiving ideas by sensation, and subsc-
qucntly developed by association; but
the generally received doctrine now Is
that ideas arc elucidatcd by an appeal
to certain fundamental principles, na-
tive to the human mind, and "tllat there
exists in the mind, at the outset, poten-
tial ideas, principles Of knowledge,
which, by simple stimulation,
are capable of being evolved
into conscious truths" Now, if
these principles arc to be stimulated,
II the primary instincts of the mind are
to be awakened into consciousness, if
these primitive truths arc to be brought
into conscious power, then we readily
perceive the Importance and tho re-
sponsibility Of the teachers work.
Now, iftho teachers work be the
moral and intellectual development Of
his pupils, and if the character Of our
nation depends upon tho character of
that moral and intellectual dcvclop-
mcnt, can any calling, any profession,
be more important than that Of the
teacher? Is it less important than the
practice Of law or medicine? Does
teaching require any less learning, any
less experience, any less judg mcnt?
Is it not easier to defend client than
to train q young mind? Is it not casi-
cr to judge of the symptoms of a dis
ease, and prescribe Il remedy according.
to the direction Of the books, than it is
to Judge what course Of training and
diciplinc is best for such and such tenn
pcrs and dispositions2 1t has been
said, .'rhcrc is nothing great in the
world but man, and nothing great in
man but mind" If SO, it necessarily
follows TINT the greatest work on
earth is directing the mind. And vet
teachers, considering the value Of their
work, receive less pay and less thanks
for 1t than nnv other class Ofmcn. So
,ong as tca,h'ng is not distinct pro-
fcssion, SO long viii our children be
taught more or less by inexperienced
tcachcrs. J. know that had wo no
young teachers we would soon have no
old ones. But our young lawyers and
physiciansgcncrally practiccwi,h older
ones until they attain some skill in ,hcil'
profession. lsit less necessary for Young
teachers to do so? We seek an expc-
ricnccd lawyer or physician, Just in
proportion to the Importance of tho
case we commit to their hands.
Why should our teachers be well
paid? l, That our young men of tal-
cnt and culture may be induced to
enter this field Of labor, assured that it
will be as profitable rs law or s cdicinc
(2) Tint tho (cachcr, released from all
secular care and anxiety may devote
MS time at home to the Interests Of his
school. Every teacher knows the i'm.
portancc Of dcvoting his time ut home
III preparation for the school-room. (3)
Ihat ne may be enable to procure the
bcst books, journals, papers md re-
por's i'll relation to his work, so that
nc may be thoroughly posted. CD That
teaching may become distinct profcs.
sion. (5) That our schools may be
taught by competent teachers. So
long us our teachers arc forced often
by necessity (of which some arc will.
ing to take advantagc), to exc out Il
dreary existence upon an inadequate
salary, so long will their efficiency be
sadly restricted, ndthc evil influence
iclt by our schools.
Messrs. Editors, Ifyou arc not alrca.
q! weary with these papers, permit me
to notice ono point more in the ncxI
number, and that shall be the last.
B. +. CoRLEY.