Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-02-08
IRONTON MO. THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 8. 1883.

| qualifications of teachers and to aWak-
en- the community to greater interest
in intellectual progress.
They lead to harmony of purpose
and unity of action, which enable them
as class the more powerfully to infiu-
ence public sentiment and concentrate
it upon those measures Of reform and
a system of education.
They serve to excite discussion,
awaken interest, and quicken zeal in
the great work of elevating the teach
ers of our country to that commanding
position which they should ever be
worthy to occupy in the public regard.
In the institute are discussed all these
principles and questions of policy which
relate to the organization and adimis-
tration of system of education.
Argument sharpens, confiictstrength-
ems, discussion developes acute intel.
lects and prepares the way for more
fruitful inquiries. Free thought and
free discussion are the soul of progress.
Difference of opinion are the life of dis
cussion, out of whose crucible must
finally issue the pure gold of truth, the
only philosophers stone worth seek
ing. The institute is one division of
the great laboratory in which it is
evolved.
The teacher must exchange opinions
Wit Iii fol fao oh h ,,cta
sci with others and endeavor to ad-
vance higher and higher in his voca-
ton.
Of all professional men, the teacher
should be able to communicate his
thoughts in a fluent and intelligent
manner. The profession requires it;
the country needs it; and education
demands it. The intelligent teacher
must ever exercise much influence
in any community. The people will
sooner or later discover his talents and
learn to regard him as a bright and
shining light in their midst. But if
hermit-like, he excludes himself and
buries his talents out of sight, he cam
not expect to attain to eminence in his
profession.
The teacher is the principal factor in
the work of reform and progress; the
teacher makes the school, and careful,
special, individual training makes the
teacher. This truth is regarded in all
well-informed quarters .as an educa-
tional maxim, as self-evident, requir-
ing no demonstration. To establish a
system of scholars, to create vast school
funds, to build school-houses, and then
to send the children of the people to be
taught by half-educated, unskillful, in
competent instructors, is species Of
wastefulness, not to say of folly, that
would be tolerated in none of the ma
terial enterprises of life, where wealth
is to be acquired by an intelligent
adaptation of means to ends.
School funds and school-houses can
not accomplish what is needed. They
are but the instruments; the teacher,
the power.
DIR. Charming once said, "There is
nothing on earth SO precious as the
mind, soul, and character of child"
Granting this, it may be safely assert
ed that there is no calling SO important
as that which undertakes to form that
character. The teacher has the power
to shape the whole future life of the
child for this world and eternity. To
him is entrusted the march of intellect.
He prepares the youthful mind for fu-
ture usefulness; instills the principles
of knowledge; assumes the responsible
ity of pare nts; and is held accountab
for the instruction impaired, whether
it be good or evil. In this he stands
side by side with the minister of the
Gospel, being held equally accounta-
BILE to his Creator.