The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1884-05-27
THE TEACHERS POSITION IN
SOCIETY.
Paper Read at the Teachers
Meeting in This City, May
the 10th.

was the highest ever undertaken by
man. Second only to the work of
the ministry, is the work of the true
teacher. Eternity alone can unfold
the grand results. How few realize
the fact, for it is fact, that the chill
dren are the most precious things on
the earth. Human beings, immortal
souls, with the unwritten pages of the
heart and mind spotless and pure,
ready to receive impressions. For
them the father tolls that he may
garner up wealth, for them the moth
er gives up her youth and beauty in
the ceaseless care that childhood de-
mands |; for their interests, education
al and financial, wise men legislate;
there are no persons SO surely protect
ed by the law. Is i. any wonder then,
that it is demanded that
THOSE WHO HAVE THE CHARGE
of these cherished little ones. should
be thoroughly prepared for the work.
1t is not enough that the teacher be
versed in textbook lore, he must him.
self. be model of culture, social
grace and refinement. Why SIS
example nothing?" said Burke, "It
is everything" Children initiate un.
consciously and increasingly, for good
or i'll the plastic nature of the child is
moulded by those about it.
''For mine own part, | shall be glad
to learn of noble men," sang the lord
of Avon. The nobler and greater the
teacher, the greater the influence
upon the pupil.
"Give your child to be educated
by slave" said the old Greek, "and
instead of one slave you will have
two" The Spartans were SO fully
alive to the importance of the educa
tion of their youth that their great
Lycurgus made it the basis of bis
wonderful code of laws.
The greatness of Alexander was
no doubt, largely due to the influence
of his great teacher, Aristotle.
Commonplace teachers, running
year after year in the same narrow
groove, induce in the pupil a dry and
selfish condition of mind. Contact
with elevated character lifts and en-
ightens the whole being.
THE TEACHER MUST BE PROGRESSIVE
must keep abreast of the times, not .
mere book-worm, but living, think
ing being, knowing of things as the,
are in the world around him b,
must get beyond the narrow range O
bis own neighborhood. IF he can Sc,
mountain, lake or an ocean, b,
has gained more in that one momen
of vision than the most graphic de
scription could give him. Books b.
needs also, as well as travel, also b.
needs time for study and improve
ment.
But all these things require money
and in too many instances the wage
Of teachers barely suffice for food AM
raiment. When the utmost economy
needed merely to procure the necessi
ties of life, where is the chance 70
improvement? The pinching of pow
erty narrows the mind and prevent
the free development Of the best pow
ers. A plant may drag out
sickly existence when deprive
of its proper care and nourish
ment, but it cannot flourish, an
grow and bloom and spread its frs
GRANGE abroad, a" thing of beauty
and a joy forever" The teache
should be sufficiently at ease financial
ly, to buy a book when it is desirabl
for his own pleasure or profit, and t
have time to read and enjoy it t
present creditable appearance an
to be able to attend
Teachers ASSOCIATIONS
and conventions now and then, with
out being afraid of hotel bills an
railroad fare. / found our stat
teachers associations at Brownsvill
q rare intellectual treat and a grea
help to me In my work. mop
every one of our teachers may al
tend it this year, but l doubt if the
can.
Teachers wages are 90 low con
pared with teachers necessities tha
the best talent is looking to othe
professions, and unless a reform take
place, ere LONG only second RAT
material will be filling up our ranks
Look at the facts and figures.
teacher receives fifty dollars pc
month. Board is from sixteen
eighteen dollars per month, washin
and other necessities swell the bill
twenty twelve times twenty take
from nine times fifty leaves a balanc
of two hundred and ten wherewit
to buy clothing and books and NEE
the demands of charity aud til