Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1884-09-20
FLOR The HERALD.
GRAMMAR.

in common schools, is one of the
most important and interesting stud
les in the whole circle of science
Quite a number of people are under
the impression that its study is dry
and irksome, and matter of little
consequence; which idea may be
based upon prejudice, they passing
over the subject lightly and never
applying their mental powers to it's
Investigation. Such seem to be
cropping in the dark, even IN this en-
enlightened age, where all opportun-
ity is offered. 1t seems as if their
minds were bewildered, and not able
to discover their own penetration.
Mankind differs widely in form,
character aud opinion; as they look
so they feel and act. God has Great
ed men as free agents; they are free
to choose what course they will pur-
sue. God is Just, and has endowed
us with reasoning faculties; He has
given us the power to direct these
faculties to some extent, so as to be-
come what we desire. So, if we cul-
tivate these faculties, our bodies,
brains and features readily adapt
themselves, and clearly indicate the
lives we lead and characters we form.
Thus the mind can fathom the sub
ject of Grammar, If properly applied;
and it will be discovered that a
knowledge of it is indispensable.
1t is not only pleasing study,
but one of real usefulness, a study
that tends to improve the condition
of man. 1t is the leading branch of
that learning which alone is capable
of unfolding the mental powers of
those who arrive at the years of ma
turity, and elevating man to his
proper rank in the scale of intelli.
gence. In pursuing any other course
of science we feel it's force, and find
that knowledge of it is still neces-
sary. Should you not understand
even the distinction of letters, this
knowledge cannot fail to be service
able to You, even if you are destined
to pass through the most degraded
walks of life.
1t seems clear that grammatical
knowledge possesses a decided adj
vantage over every other branch Of
learning. Arithmetic, Geography
Chemistry, Botany, and all other
branches, are highly useful in their
respective places; but none can be
successfully taught without know
ledge of Grammar; for the compost.
ton of the whole department Of ed
ucation includes Grammar; and
none of them is so universally ap.
plicable to practical purposes as this.
In every stage of life, under all cir
cumstances, on all occasions; when
we speak, read, write, or even think
"a knowledge of it is of real utility.
Perhaps there may be some who
would make the assertion that they
never studied Grammar, yet profess
TO understand our language. Such
might as we'll make an attempt to
remove the mountains of ChimbraZO,
OF overturn the SUBMITS Of the Alps,
as to make such assertions. They
may say they can read and write
correctly, but when tested, their ac-
complishment is void, and they seem
TO be contented in ignorance. When
speaking with learned men, those
glaring errors which offend the ear
are easily discovered while they
themselves are not aware of them
For want of knowledge of this
branch, many often express theiI
ideas in manner so obscure as to
render it impossible for any one to
understand them. Their language
in speaking aud writing, frequently,
amounts not only to bad sense but
to nonsense. In other instances,
several different meanings may be
affixed to the words they employ ;
and what is still worse, very fire.
quently their sentences are so con-
structed as to convey meaning
quite the reverse of that which they
Intended, by which many are mis-
lead.
The English language is destined
TO be more universally spoken than
any other. 1t is gaining ground
every day IN the United States
This is not so extensive in some rural
districts, which seem to be living in
obcsurity, and to be endeavoring to
Obviate that progress. This is
great obstacle to teachers in teaching
Grammar successfully. How then
shall a teacher proceed to teach il
effectivelyi | think it is the teach
er's duty, If possible, to remove those
obstacles in the path to grammati
cal excellence which are so embar
RAISING. 1t is impossible for teach
er tO'teach this branch in rural dis
tricts where the pupils never heard
of the English language, further
than that which the teacher speaks
while in the school room, and his
language becomes so incorrect by
being commingled with Pennsylvan
ia Geman that he can show pooI
model of correct pronunciation to the
pupils. To make IA pupil compre
bend the English, the teacher mus
substitute the Pennsylvania Ger
man. His endeavors are no more
effective than to mix oil with water
When the pupils leave the schoo
room, the German is prevailing
among them until they return.
L believe that every teacher de
sires to see the fruits of his labor
but where such is the case he may
read theory of teaching and schoo
journals until the school term ba,
ended, and will find but little help
1t seems so discouraging to thu
teacher that when he lies down afte
hard days labor, he finds no fruit.
OF his labor; In the morning he feel,
like fleeing from his profession
Those higher authorities, that have
charge of or occasionally wish