The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-08-30
A Word TO Teachers.

arduous and trying calling, but also
a very responsible one. You are re-
quired not only to act for yourselves
here, but are in manner required to
think and act for others. Man in the
first part of his existence is the weak
est and most helpless of all mOrtals,
and it is while in this state of depen-
dence and ignorance he is placed I'M
der your care. Oh ! what wisdom you
need in order that you may perform
your TASK Alright. Remember you are
not only preparing those who are
placed under your care to act out the
great drama Of life. You are not only
to instruct them how they should acS
in order that tn y may be- useful and
happy but you are laying the f0un-
datiGn of a character that will deter
mine their happiness through all
eternity. There is. perhaps, only two
stations in life where one is given
more power to do good or evel, than
the one you occupy, and that is the
parental and he who fills the sacred
, desk. They alone are only superior
to you in responsibility The human
mind has been compared by one to a
sheet of white paper, upon which you
may write pure or impure thoughts.
Imagine not only one sheet. but many
such placed before you, and know
that by one slip Of the hand, one act
on your part you blot on man all
these in such manner as will cause
regret and rem0rSe to seize y0ursOul.
You will look on your sad work not
only with shame and confusion; but
you will fear and dread lest Others see
it. You know that early impressions
are the most lasting, and that to you is
given power to make good or bad inn
presSions. Many may exchim, did |
believe my calling is As responsible
as you say, did / believe that will
he held accountable for the impress
sions IN Ike upon the minds of those
under my care, l would teach no
longer. All! indeed may we all say
unfit, unfit; often INDEED when think
ing upon this we have been almost
overcome and have exclaimed, our
burden is greater than we can bear
but then would come the still small
voice, "nurmur not, for thou must
labor. Do yourduty. Rely upon Him
who is able to help, for if you rely
upon your own strength, your labor
will be in vain" 1t is ordered by God
that we work one and all. and those
who neglect to obey this command
have buried the talent that WAS given
them, and will be held accountable
for so doing. Though you meet with
discouragements, though men ac-
knowledge not your good, and though
the tongue of Islander, malice, envy
and hatred be set loose upon you,
heed it not but labor on faithfully,
earnestly, devotedly and be assured
if you rely upon Him who is too wise
to err, and too good to do wrong, you
will come off conqueror at last. Per-
severance in good, will root out the
wicked prejudice that exists.
In the first place in order that you
may he successful teachers, you must
quality yourselves for it. You must
not leave anything undOne that you
known would better prepare you for
teaching. 1t is the want of proper
qualifications on the part of teachers
that they make failures, they have in
many instances lacked both intellec-
tual and moral training. Yes, we
say they have lacked moral training
as well as intellectual, for there have
been many teachers who have enter
ed the school room with rot one spark
of pure, holy and divine morality,
taught by our Saviour. And if we
know not the love of God ourselves,
if we do not feel grateful to the Great
Author of our being, how can we
teach others Alright. The next thing.
in order to secure success, you must
have edr7aestness. You must take your
sympathy into the business. If you
cannot do this you had better stay
out altogether. Ifyou enter the school
room with your thoughts somewhere
else, what can you expect but that
the grossest evils will result from
such criminal course? You are act
ing the hypocrite, you are protesting
to do what the soul loathed, and it is
sin in the sight of Him who hath
said, Whatsoever thy hand findeth
to do, that do with thy might" Let
scholars know that you desire their
good, that you are willing to labor,
to sacrifice ease and pleasure in order
to help them along. and you will be
rewarded not only by their love and
confidence but also by seeing them
progress rapidly in their studies.
And now we entreat you to make
this YOUR whole thought. Let not