The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-04-05
Close of the Flint Hill School.


On the evening of the 10th the writer
had the pleasure of attending one of the
most interesting and entertaining public
school exhibitions of the season, which
was given by Flint Hill School-A. Stuart
Houff, teacher.
The exhibition was the closing exer.
else of the school for the term of 81 and
'68. This has been one of the most sue
cessful terms in the history of that school.
At an early hour the bright faces of the
scholars were seen assembling to partici,,
pate in the closing exercises. AT seven
O'Clock. p, m. the doors were opened. The
house was handsomely decorated with
flowers and evergreens. and on either side
were numerous maps, which were elegant.
| ly and accurately executed by the pupils,
and were very credtabe to those who
drew them. BY p. M, the house was
crowded with an intelligent and apprecia-
tive audience. The exercises were opened
with music by the school, and an appro.
pirate salutatory. And was closed by the
teacher in an elegant and sympathetic
essay to his school. The young speakers
acquitted themselves splendidly and were
highly complimented by the spectators
The entire programme was highly enjoy
able and showed a fine selection on the
part Of the teacher, and a determination
and close application on the part of the
pupils, and did honor to both. There has
been determined effort on the part of
the scholars, (incited by the teacher,) to
improve the opportunity that was offered
for The requirement of useful and practi-
Cal knowledge. They seemed to realize
that what they were learning was for
themselves, and not for their instructor as
some small scholars are apt to imagine.
They realized that 1t was for their we'll
WeSagi that it would fit them for the
duties OF life aud for positions of honor
and trust. and thereby become men and
ladies who would be an honor to their
country. Nothing is more laudable in
youth than desire to become man who
will be an honor and IL benefit to his fellow
men and country. 1t is this desire that
makes boy a man, and which is the very
essence Of a great nation. This was evil
IDENTIFY the case in the nations of antiquity
When the youth of antiquity were brought
to their fathers knees. and truth and true
manlness were instilled in their minds,
it was then that those powers were irwin
chile. But this being neglected downfall
was the result. We young Americans are
too apt to employ too much of our time
in superficial and worthless accomplish
ments to bestow proper cultivation on
our minds Lit is an admitted truth that
as child is reared it is apt to continue in
the same course. For instance, we Amer
leans believe in the doctrine of free gov
ernment and constitutional liberty, be
cause our eyes opened on the light of free
dom and we breathed the breath of liberty,
and because we were brought up and
taught to believe in free government
Likewise, the Eastern nations believe that
a monarchial government is the best be-
cause they were taught to believe that it
is best. Hence we see that the evening
depends on how we spend the morning
When see teacher laboring steadily and
earnestly for the intellectual and moral
advancement OF his school, and every eff
fort bent with an unconquerabIe desire to
see his pupils take place among the good
and great when l see this in any one.
whosoever he may be, | ask, should he not
have the appreciation Of his fellow men.
And scholars, before you is great future
and great work is to be done. If you
work like a Hercules, success will be
yours Remember that labor surmounts
all difficulties. And If anything is to be
enyied above another it is the esteem of
good men. Mr.. Fl. has taught the entire
session without the use of the rod and by
appealing to the better faculties carries
with him the sympathy of both pupils and
patrons and came off more than victor
ANON