The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1881-07-22

sent g 2 X PLEASANT Js,ssA, lAAaas
4 The Practical in Teaching.
II u important that we distinguish
tproperly that which Is prac'irA from
n|that which Is merely theoretical Man,
VIKINGS are beautiful In theory, which ars
',by no means practical for instance. the
iiabolition Of punishment, and the suh H.
Tuition OF moral suasiop as a means Of
7 government, Is very fine theory; but
TIVE fear that II it were put into practice,
ecrinlc wonld be increased rather than
adiminished. And this argument applies
10 most. II not all, OF our common schools.
The people arc not yet ready for this
But they are thoroughly alive to the truth
THAT we need more practical education
I|that many who arc not wanting in theory
'lare sadly deficient III practice Hat many
'lwho are ready 10 give their opinion as
ITO how thing should be o0ne, are
'ltotaliy unable 10 do ii. This state or
facts Is conclusive IN favor of rcforma-
tion in the manner of educating our
lyonth ina great part OF the country and
this revolution IL coming swift-winged
and sure. and its coming viii bring bet
ter men into our business circles better
men in our professions, and what Isl
still more desirable, better teachers in
lour schools and seminarics. When the
want Is felt with its proper weight, IL
Twill be remcdied and while grand pro-
'grcss has already been made. there Isl
room fora vast amount more just think
lof the ignorance that some Of our citizens
exhibit on matters Of prime importance,
and which should be the common knowl-
edge Of all. Many persons do not know
the difference between civil and con-
lgressional township. There are plenty
|of voters who can not tell where the
Government revenues come from. An
young lady inquired al
short time since, on learning that Jasper
had telegraph Office, whether they car
|ried the dispatches on the cars? ? These
are only few Of the evidences that pa
'rade themselves before us daily. in proof
|of the sad truth that thousands Of our
people are stalking through the world,
looking through tube. as II were. never|
seeing il more than one direction, and
oblivious 70 all surroundings.
Surely this must need remedy. What
shall II be-? As the parent, 50 Il thel
child and as the teacher, 50 Is the pupil.
If we wonld rear up practical men and
women for the different vocations Of life,
we must give them practical parents and
teachers for their instructors. This can
be done BY employing practical teachers
only. Their pupils will grow UP 70 be
practical men and women. and thcirI
with practical teachers, will be-
come still more 80, and thus each succeed
ing generation will continue 10 improve,
and TO be better fitted for the pursuits
Of life.
Teachers must not only nv practical.
but TEACH practically. Let as suppose h \
class III Reading. Did you ever hear
member Of reading class pronouncing
words after the fashion OF a watch beat
Ing quarter seconds; or, perhaps, going
with 4 slow measured pace. emphasizing
every second or third word, and appar-
nc was a model reader? But there IL a
Kind OF reading far worse than this faulty
,ral reading; II Is the practice Of rum
ming through hooks without stopping 20
rather the meaning. How many keep .
dictionary At their elbow whenever thcyI
vain, III order 10 search ipr the import OF
very doubtful word 70 aid US in culingl
he most beautiful thoughts as the little
yirl docs her flowers Oh summer morn
ng nd how many teach their pupils 10
cad in the same WAY: II may be nice
hing TO solve all the questions in the
Irithmetic, or The problems IN algebra
tut what would II benefit q person to
Znow these things, and be unable to
MEASURE pile cf wood, stack Of lum-
,cr, or guagc barrel Of vinegar? This
Iind Of knowledge Is the kind thai Is
cquired Of ns every day. tits practical.
L Is necessary. lf we would have 0urI
knowledge bring Us dollars and cents, or
lonor and reputation, this kind mustlI
We lay in store. II we would be practi-
Al. we must deal in pcactical things \
nd II we would be philanthropic. IN any k
would scorn 70 pluck single star from
crown worn by any Of our learned |
men, yet for our own good, think we Il
nay justly claim the right Of making II
Comparisons. Take Elihu Burritt forl
the man, perhaps, who could |!
peak and write greater number OIL,
anguages than any other man in the
world, who stands In that respect at the
lcad OF our honorcd roll OF linguiSis. Ii
nd compare him with Noah Webster
AlI say with one voice THAI WcbstcrI
vas the greater man. Every school.boy
rom tho Atlantic 10 the Pacific knows II
i'm he u acknowledged authority on
10Th sides Of the ocean, aud his name l.
while thousands nnvtrj,
'card 0f Buriit Whyy Because Web
tcr's knowledge was practical, and 40