The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-06-29
Teachers Department
conducted by Geo. G.. Hodges. School Com
missioner of Abbevlllc County.l
Gleanings From Adolph Diesterweg's
Writings.

/. No profession is better adapted t,
ennoble the moral atmosphere Of life
and fill the head and heart of it's adhc
rent with nobler feelings and thoughts
than the profession Of teaching.
2. Men Of great minds Ion:
for an intellectual professions
though its pathway is besct with thorns
Teaching is such a profession, nnduubt.
eddy. Compared with any other pro,
~fession, no one is by far so much con,
nected with difficulty and misery as the
calling of the educator and teacher VIII,
earnestly strives to develop the innate
powers of his pupils.
8. If there exist a difficult science,
it is the art Of teaching, developing.
A. Our profession is the foundations
stone Of human culture. We foster
and cultivate: the tender germ Of civil.
~zation, and cause it to spread it's bles-
sings far and wide. We plant in the
tender souls Of children the elements of
the whole range of knowledge, deliver
ed down to us from former ares and
stored up in our literature. and enable
the children to drink from this "Picr-
ian spring" during their life. When.
later in life, our pupil leaves us behind,
and by his deeds records his name in
the register Of immortality, yet, next to
his own talents and some fortunate
events, he has to give us the tribute for
acting we'll his part on the stage Of pub
lie life.
8. If we wish to conceive fully the
Importance of the teachers profession.
Jet us imagine all the schools closed,
and our youth growing up without re-
ceiving instruction. Heinous barbarism
would soon rush. upon us, with its saw
agism. Are the high schools and uni
lyyerslties the supporters of the highest
culture, II common schools are the
groundwork upon which these lofty
}nstltHtions rest. The common school
is tbs most needful, for it is tho funda-
mental link in the organism of public
education. This thought should
strengthen the consciousness Of our
colnmon-school teachers.
9. know Of no nobler calling; but
also know that, up to date, no nation
on the globe has yet fully appreciated
the ~unbounded worth of good schools.
Z. Education and teaching is a holy
profession !; to educate and to teach. a
divine occupation.
8. OF what great Importance and dig
nifty is the office of the brave, %virtuous,
jtrue, and enthusiastic teacher! Let no
rude feet enter this realm, for it's ground
is holy.
.. 10 promote the divine cause Of
education is one Of the noblest and
most necessary occupations. The adj
vancement of u civilization. culture.
and humanity, depends uopu the educa-
ton Of the people.
~. IF we elevate and ennch,e orr
teachers, we elevate and cnnob,o Tho
people; if our measures tend to de-
grade the teachers, we degenerate, with
them, our youth. Teachers should ,,.o
constantly bear in mind the high rcs-
possibility of their office. and their ac-
tons must proclaim it.
IL. Educational affairs cannot be
like common things. Teachers
can claim a better treatment than sail.
ers: Those who speak lightly of edu.
cation and teachers, commit a hc,nous
crime they profanc the majesty Of hu-
-
Y. Tie school is the mirror which
reflects the personal worth, and the in.
qualification OF the teacher
ana the intellectual and moral character
the commuaity as we'll. Hence 10
who elevates the teacher, and promotes
ne cause Of education, enhances the F.,
glory Of his country.
10. should like to see the State ,olo {
charge Of public education. and TING !.
the teachers to independen,
public officers. r,. !
i