Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1879-09-04
Educational Jottings.

GuucdbLuud1 JOttlugS.
Ed. OBsERyER:-If you will
favor me in the effort, I win en-
deavor to speak a few words to
| your patrons and to the people
fof Lincoln county in general.
Ny object is to present a few
| thoughts on education. That
any enterprise be a success it is
necessary for its friends to think
about it; to talk about it; and
awaken a general interest in the
work. One man alone cannot
make a thing public satisfac-
ton unless he can enlist their
candid consideration. While it
is one of the greatest among hui
man privileges, it is one of the
most neglected. 1t is sublime
as well as grand. 1t is not con-
fined to time but continues, and
during the ceaseless ages of e.
ternity there will be progress.
When we define Education as
being a full development of the,
mental and physical and moral
man, we then fall short of its
true meaning unless we take a
comprehensive view Of it and
look beyond the few fleeting
years of this life. BY it we are
made useful here not only in a
secular calling but in things sa--
cred and holy.
knowledge is power either for
good or evil. For good only
when surrounded by good infln-1
ences, and otherwise a power for
evil. Education and religion go
hand in hand and when one pros
pers the other advances, and
when one falters the other feels
the shock. Theorists may spec
ulate upon the failures of ednca-
ton and call it a curse, but where
do they find it and where do they
leave it2 1t moves as though
such men had never existed.
= Every one has a RESPONSE
bility in this noble work, and
one that no other can assume;
we discharge it or it remains for
ever undone. However, the
heaviest responsibility rests up-l
ON parents and teachers. Tol
them is committed the future of |
the nation and to some extent
the eternal destiny Of the soul. |
We know that some would like |
to deny that they are their broth
er''s keeper; SO did wicked Cain,
but did that relieve him? VIM
such a declaration relieve you,
or relieve us2 This truth re-
mains and we decide and suffer
for failure or rejoice for having
done duty.
The Church needs educated
workers and the nation needs ed
ucated Christian rulers, and in
order to have them we must la
Dor for them. The countenancel
Of the child portrays to us but
too plainly that Divinity stands
connected to our mortality.
When we oppose education wei
oppose Eternity, and when vel
oppose Eternity we oppose God
and are trying to thwart his glo-l
rious purpose.
Parents often endeavor to ex-
cuse themselves on the pretended
want of influence and pecuniary
ability. 1t has been said where
there is a will there is a way, and
| verify believe that those per-
sons who talk of such excuses
are either incorrect in their state
ments or that a wise Providence
sees that they would fail to use
the means if they had them and
bestows them elsewhere. They
leave too much for the teacher toI
do in advancing the children and
assume too much in giving him
respecting the way BY
which he can get along with his
part of the work. They seldom
think that a we'll qualified teach
er viii manage his duties if eye-
rybody else will but discharged
their own personal responsible
lies. Teachers should never
speak against one another to the
injury of their fellow teachers.
Parents should do all they can
by encouraging their children in
prompt attendance and diligence
n study. School directors should
be very careful in the selection
Of teachers. The teacher has an
influence, and that influence
should be wholesome and safe.
The teacher also should feel that
lis responsibility is very grelt,
ind he should deal with the ten
Ter mind of the child with appre-
tensions of its excellence and it's
dependence. We as a peoplel
need more energy. Some are Ia
boring and are doing a noble