Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-11-28

careful analysis of all the figl res of speech; l
may demand of them accurate annotations OF
all the allusions-classical, biblical and historl-
cal; / may even draw from them a feeble rem
dering of the less obscure parts. in their own
words, and what is obscure l may interpret
AT the end of several weeks they may be able
TO discourse fiuently upon Isis and Osiris, but
how near have they come to the real spirit of
that majestic ode?' My answer is: 1t is good for
us mentally as well as morally, to come into
the presence of that which is higher than our
selves, although we may rot comprehend It all;
Emerson says, Hitch your wagon to star.
The Hymn on the Nativity" may act as a
mental stimulant, even if the celestial harmony
strike upon unsympathetic ears
The ultimate end of the teaching of the
Hymn on Nativity" is, not that the pupil may
grasp the full meaning of that "ode;" he may
fall short of that but he can never be as he has
been. The grain of wheat lies in his hand; his
lips Will soon learn to frame the mystic words.
l think that is what we are trying to do-not to
pour the contents of the wonderful treasury
into the lap of the expectant pupil, but to
teach him to say, "Open, Sesame" and let him
rush in and seize upon the treasures himself.
Our work is means, not an end. We teach
the pupil "Lycidas" that he may afterward see
the beauties in "Adonnais,' and should he fail
to see all that Milton has concentrated in
" Lycidss," he may yet. with the light of ma
ture Judgment, catch all the beauty OF the other
monOdy.
But the grandest mission of literature is to
cultivate the moral nature. 1t is ethical IN It's
tendencies, not only as it appeals to the intel
leet and addresses itself to the emotions, but as
it educateS the will.
Many a song has turned out a sermon without
FORGETTING its title to art, not ways for the
moral pointed but for the melody OF the verse,
the sublimity of the thought, the setting forth
of mobile grounds for noble emotions" Even
the unhappy, scepticel Lord Byron, and his
equally wretched brother poet. Edgar Allan
Poe, speaking at their better moments. elevate
and purify the will in degree that claims for
them place among teachers of morality, al
Tfcyh lSNFnG
This moral training cannot be begun too early.
And thus early in life would the names OF the
worlds great heroes have value in the pupils
eyes.
Carlyle says: mo nobler feeling than this of
admiration for one higher than himself dwells
in the breast of man." Nay, he even says,
society is founded upon hero-worship." Then,
listening to the prophet OF Cheyne Row, let us
seek to make heIo-worshipers of our pupils
lead them, as far as we can, into the inner
sanctum of the great man; let them walk with
him, talk with him. all but sup with him; sit
with Longfellow at his study window in Craigie
House, and look upon the blue Charles: wan
der through English fields with Wordsworth,
and over Scotch heaths with Burns and Scott
and soon the love of the poet, aud the love of
his works will resolve themselves into "holy
passion, and we shall find echo in the pupils
heart of these noble words:
Books, we know, are substantial world, both
pure and good;
Round them with tendrils strong as flesh and
blood,
Our pastime and our happiness will grow"
READING FOR TEACHERS.
Prof w. S. Monroe, of Pasadena, spoke
for some time upon the subject of What
Teachers Should Read" He said their
reading should be both professional and
general First, they should be profession
ally familiar with the writings of those in
their profession who had become eminent
as educators. He gave long list of books
upon educational topics. among them Ros-
encranz and TAFT on the Philosophy of
Teaching" Paine on 1.-THE Science and Art
of Teaching" Spencer and Locke on ''Edu-
cation" Pitches Lectures" "Browning's
Educational Theory" Agassiz, Horace
Mann.
He said every teacher should buy at least
two books year upon matters pertaining
to their profession, and should subscribe to
at least two periodicals, one weekly and
one monthly, which are devoted entirely to
educational topics and discussions.
Miss Carrie Merrill read an interesting
essay upon Primary Language Work"
Prof. Monroe delivered short and spicy
lecture upon the subject, THE Child We
Teach, after which the Convention closed
sine die.
MALARIAL fevers and effects quickly give
way to Simmons Liver Regulator.