The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-07-31
NO.. 40.

| ana do faithful part by these children
| Whatever the pay, however poor or unin
viting the situation, let the teacher realiz,
the sublime character Of the duty whicl
he owes to the children entrusted to his
training. Let him, under all circumstances
at least rise to Il proper conception of his
high vocation and keep faith with the chill
| dren. If his education is limited, let hin
knucklc down to the work and educate
himself. The teacher who will do this faith
uIly and cOnscientiOusly,m may look for his re-
ward both in Heaven and upon earth.
Personal REFERENCES TO DIsTIN-
| GUIsHRD MISSISSIPPI EDUCATORS.
1t has been said, and well said that ''mer
who have left their mark on the education
of the past, have owed their influence Ia
some profound moral Orreligious mpuIse.' -
There can be no learning without study
no distinction without effort no excel
fence without purpose; no purifying in
iiuence without wholesome impulse. Per-
NIT me now, in conclusion, to refer briefly
to few Of the distinguished educators in
our own State, whose successful efforts
have come under my own observation. and
to whose examples can point as support
ing columns to the views ! have tried TO
advance. And first, ] should be untrue
to my own sense Of justice if | did not pay a
just tribute to our worthy, Woodworking
and Jealous State Superintendent of Public
Education, the President Of your Conyen-
ton. lie has infused new life into our
public school system, and taken the lead in
every educational scheme looking to the
Improvement of methods in educating the
masses. All honor to the man who devotcs
himself to this high task and successfully
works it out.
remember some six or eight years ago
when General Stewart was called to the
Chancellorship of our University at oxford.
Under the operation of various causes to
which | need not now advert. he found
that splendid institution, with its superb
endowment and magnificent situation,
buildings, and apparatus, almost deserted
and abandoned by the people of Missis-
sippi Did he set down there, secure in his
salary and dignity, and serenely look upon
that noble educational giant of our State
in the agonies Of death? Was he
content to be Il passive witness to the
cruel waste of all these grand advantages
FOR the Improvement of our youth? No.
The hero who was never accused of wanting
nerve to storm the batteries of the enemy
in war, did not have the courage TO be
simply a tgure-head in this intellectual
waste, the quicScent recipient OF the
States bounty, and the mere administrator
le 60@iS m0@, of the goods and chattels Of
he do? | saw him at several prominent
towns in tho State, IN 1873 or "a, and heard
his earnest and able appeals to the people
TO rally to their University. At his own
expense, in the hot summer sOItiCe, he
raversed the whole State, and, by dint of
lis lectures, earnest arguments and strsng
personal influence, brought about reac-
ion in favor of the University. What is |
he result To-day nearly five hundred of .
'ur young men are enjoying these fine
advantages, and the University, under his
guidance, has again risen
rom its ashes, and become more than ever,
he pride of the State.
Twelve or fifteen years ago, | saw DR..
Ohnson take hold of the relics of what had
een WhitwOrth College at Brookhaycn.
thought then, that he had oyercropped
imsclf, and had undertaken Il job too
eavy for his calibre, but / saw him spend
lg his vacations travelling over the country
up scholars, somewhat like the
lodern journalist drums up subscribers,
nd | could plainly see that he had fixed
i'm in yiew-that he strOve with a single
ess of purpose, and with lofty prompt
lg to do great good to the rising genera
irected efforts, is prosperous school OF
early three hundred young ladies. He
AS not only made his mark, but has built
p one of the first female colleges of the
outh, and grown into a dignitary and ,
IbOb himself besides.
When we look to the eastern part of the t
ate, our vision is dimmed for while, '
cause one of the brilliant educational :
ars in that portion of our ornament has d
me out! Thos. s Gathright At the
ention of his name would pause for a |
oment and pay to his memory the tribute
Il tear, and to his talents the homage Of 7
unqualified recognition. lie left his
lprint strongly marked upon the school l
lsters' Log-b0ok of the State. Despising
ans, and narrOwness, and all unckarita- q
eness he was a man who struck out for a
gh grade, and maintained il to the last q
In this same section of the State, We see d
day flourishing institution built up in
e woods by Prof J. l.. Cooper. Ten 9
ars ago this iudomitable educator, with
thing to sustain him except the grand
bition to educate successfully the young
nd. started a small school in Lauderdale
unity, which he called by right "Thc
oper Institute" BY dint OF hard work.
firing industry. rigid economy, aud
ognized adaptabiliiy, and. above all. 10y in
II of that steady aud lofty purpose and Ol
raj impulse which guided his efforts, he N
raised up splendid school, and stands -,
to-day as one of the men who has made n.
mark, aud is still making shining marks in
the black board of educational progress 81
fe
Within a half hours run Of this city. we IN
two magnificent seats Of learning ~ =,
ich have withstoOd the shocks Of battle n,
the crumbling decays Of the last quarter gs
ccutury-venerahle with age and COM al
nding in noble works-alm0st land III
rks for the past, and certainly monu- IL
lts for the future. l allude. Of course, III
Mississippi College and Central Female
titute at Clinton. the first ably conducted
Dr. Webb for the last II or 20 years.
hirty years or more ago. a youngman. Of ~
raj education and true ambition came
IN from New England, and anchored in
then thriving town Of Clinton. He
ned q small school, and meeting with =,
lerate success, he returned to his native ,I
and brought back with him. true WI
rted and faithful eo-worker, in the lovely W,
n Of a young woman a. his wife. who he
been equally favored with early train eli
Together thev drove down their 81