Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-12-26

must DC maintained, that the pupil may
pay proper attention 10 his book. But
this is not the only purpose. Were this
the great end of school government, be-
liev- that the means and methods through
which it is reached would be OF little ac-
count.
MIND DISCIPLINE.
Every teacher knows that the child must
first learn hotr 10 study. In fact, the
whole school course is a discipline in this
direction. Progress seems slow during
the first terms Of a child's school life,
since il has not learned how to work; and
In sll the school years, dare say that
other things being equal, the discipline in
this direction viii DC commensurate with
good school government. Under poor
management pupils become listlesS, mat
tentiye, and careless OF their own good
standing. There Is not that energy which
i Indispensable 70 healthy growth Of
mind. II from a sense Of duty or preyi-
Gus good training some pupils do attempt
good work. there is not that Jealous APP
phcation, eager questioning and clear per
ceptiou which produces satisfactory re-
suits to-day and makes the morrow'S task
easier. The mind must be trained to
think couSecutively, to apply itself vigor-
ously and with its whole force TO whatever
it expects to accomplish.
There may be, perhaps, sufficient
amount Of memoririuS done under poor
school government TO keep up the appear
ance OF average school work. The days
Rotations may pass without serious
breaks. The terms may close one after
another and classes go forth member by
member to take upon themselves the du-
ties and responsibilities Of life; but il The
mind hiss not been schooled 10 such wise
and iuiiciOuS restraint u the rigid diSci-
pline Of = good school government affords,
they will De found weak 20 surmOunt the
obstacles and solve the problems. viii Oh
are ever inSeparable from LIES duties.
The artist makes his beautiful lines only
after long years Of hborious aud rigid dis
clpline OF eve sud hand, and the greater
and more perfect the discipline, the mo:e
beautiful and lasting i his trAcery.
In school room where disorder ana mis-
management exist even in slight de-
gree the word government becomes
a misuomer and the amount OF true mind
disipliue, If weighed in The most sensitive
balsuce would be found wanting. Bat
there Is another, i seems 20 me, potent
reason. why our schools should be well
governed. Il i the last I Will mention a.
al Others eliminate here.
I believe that il Is the aim Of every
teacher worthy the name to make his pu-
pills better. Now this may mean very
little or IL may mean 4 great deal. Under
the teachers control. pupils give their at
tent,ou 70 books, by his tact aud guidance
they learn 20 study methodicaliy and thus
do effective work Under his supervision
and influence. IL it be Of that high order
which the profession requires, the bud Of
childhood. The partly blown flower of
youth. slowly expands into the more per-
feet blossom OF manhood aud wOmauhoot.
And that this development may reach any
thing ike perfection, there must be gained
a. school something beside book kpowl-
edge. believe there must be healthy
growth OF the moral nature. \ certain
dry, ''gO-As-you-pleaSe" discipline NAV
perhaps cram the the head with drier facts
and in the eyes OF sdmiring friends the
pupil NAV seem educated. But in my
opinion 4 man may be mental giant and
no, be educated. "Heresy," do you say
Perhaps so. Ibelieve that here, at least,
there is no chance to question the wisdom
OF co-educatiou. The moral and intellect
ual must climb hand in hand, rise side by
side-be developed together, and that
training which does not do this falls 10 do
- whole work. In school where the
scholars. instead OF the teacher, rule there
can be no moral growth, but on the con-
trary such a place is a source Of ignorance
and mischief. How many times have we
heard from him who stands high IN the
world OF letters. heartfelt thanks FOR wise
restraint and kindly guidance in the school,
room. How often DO graduates, IN after
wears. when. loaded with many honorS'
when they have climbed well up the hll' oil
fame. look back with trembling TO those
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