The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-07-26
Correspondence Of the Union TrkRs)
Who Should Teach Our Children

HOME, July 22.-The College Commence
ments are over and we have heard and read
very high sounding praises from oil sides, Of
both Male and Female Institutions. This Is
very gratifying indeed 1t foreshadows
bright future for our section, and goes
great way toward building up the literary
and scientific institutions Of the land, where
young msn and young ladies may be edu-
Gated to take our places, and doubtless better
prepared to fill their allotted stations in life
than their ancestors were. But there are
comparatively few so situated as to be able
to secure the great advantages, Of College
training. The great mass of our children,
if educated at all, must be educated in the
Free Schools of the land. What is doing in
that direction? We have all the modern ap-
pliances at hand-the patent desk, the pat
ent pen and inkstand, the maps, the school
houses, SC. and then we have the Prepara-
tory Schools for Teachers, and oil the neces-
sary machinery, such as School Commits
sioners, Trustees, &c., and an almost endless
variety ofschool books. But after all, / hear
some old and wise men say, oil this will not
make scholars Of our children. The teacher,
at last, is the one from whom the children
must obtain their education. But they are
not oil teachers who keep schools. Going to
college Is a nice thing, and often makes
teacher, like preacher, has his "call." He
or she is fitted by nature for that purpose !;
and by training, either in college or else
.-...de profcient-s a4-teacher. ..anst
know thoroughly what he proposes to teach.
But his knowledge of books or his mental
training is not all that is necessary.
The fact that he has First Grade GER
tihcate does not make him teacher. in the
true sense Of the word. He must be O man
OF high tone Of character; he should have
the power of complete self-control; he must
be broad and liberal in his views catholic
in his spirit, firm in his discipline, commu-
nicative and easy of approach, affifat1io und
kind-hearted; and above, if not equal to
oil, he must be of irreproachable moral
character, that he may leave its impress upon
the character Of the children committed to
his care.
The teacher is next in order to the parent.
In fact, in many instances, more is depen-
dent upon the teacher, so far as mental and
moral training Of the child is concerned,
than upon the parent, on account, often, OF
the Ignorance or immortality of the latter.
Children ordinarily reflect the prominent
characteristics Of teachers at an early day,
no matter how well cared-for and taught al
home. Now that your public schools, that
reach the great mass Of our people, are
about to be thrown open little while, it Is
the duty Of every officer, and the duty OF
every parent to see that those persons Sc
lected to instruct the children, are what you
wish the children to be when grown up /
dare say there is no parent but that wishes
his or her children to be equal with the best
in their section then, surely, they win see
to it that the very best of gentlemen and
ladies, both morally and mentally, are Sc
cured to teach their children.
pRoGREss