The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-11-27

The tone of voice i'm which the father COM
plains of his underdOne or OverdOne steak
has an effect upon Tom. The way in
which the mother gives her commands to-
the servants also has its effect. Tom is i'm
fuenced by the remarks of the fellows on
the street corners. He is influenced by the
p ctures on the bill boards. The time is
cOming-l see it has not yet arrived in your
city-when the women of our cities will
convene. and they Will take effective means
to demand of the authorities that these vile
caricatureS shall no longer be Haunted in
their faces from every dead wall and every
other available spot where they can be
placed. ApplauSe]. Tom is also influ-
enced and educated by the arrangement Of
the school room; by the grounds about the
building; by the daily paper: by the news
which creates All excitement. and about
which people talk ON the streets. All of
these thing have part in moulding Toms
character, and are counted among his
teachers.
Next | come to consider the question,
"What shall Toms teachers teach TOm?"
AS prelminaries | want to mention three
things that consider should be taught to
Tom. He should be- taught to think on his
own account. 1t is not enough to be able
to transfer the printed pages from the book
to his brain. and then to repeat them to his
teacher In short. to make an echo of the
boy. Some fellows will stand up before
their teachers and repeat correctly what the
printed page contains. and the teacher. list
ening to the boy and looking at the book,
| will tell him he has done very we'll. and he
will be promoted. and after awhile d.
plOma will be given tO-a tarred stick.
| Parents should at the table put to their boys
all sorts of possible eXgences, and ask them
how they would get out of the difficulty.
They will thus become trained to use their
judgment. l do not deprecate book knOwl-
edge nor undervaue training the memory.
but do eXalt that which trains the judg-
ment.
Your son should also be taught to speak
with accuracy. He should be trained to
tell with accuracy and fidelity to truth what
he Sees He should also be trained to ex-
press himself i'm good English. Train the
boy to habits of careful observation. and to
be truthful about the minutest details.
That is the only scientific way of study and
expression.
Tom should also be trained in ethics. L
am not over particular about religious Serv-
ices in business houses. nor in railroad de-
pots. nor in the public schools. But in
sist that it should be given in the home.
The children should be taught to distinguish
|
They should also be taught to be consider
ate of the happiness and comfort of others.
But there are more important things in
which Tom should be trained. He should
be taught to consider himself as person
and not as thing. A cause and not an ef-
feet. There is vast deal of nonsense
taught about heredity and circumstances
and habit. l want Tom taught to over
come inheritance, trample circumstances
under foot and break the power of habit,
and stand as man. and not as thing.
He should also be taught that he is
power and not an effect. That, being the
center of power, he is independent l de-
test tramps. whether rich or poor. honor
the boy who works his way. The man
who learns the value of money will respect
all who have to earn their living by hard
toll There are no classes here, except
those formed by culture and refinement.
would not have Tom forget the law of
interdependence. Therefore believe in
the public school. 1t puts every candidate
for citizenship alongside of his fellow citizen.
Thus he is trained in independence. respOn
sbility and individuality. l suppose this
is the reason of some opposition to the pub
lie school system. The more ecclesiastical
is this opposition the more dangerous it is.
But we will teach them that in this country
the public school will continue to exist. and
withered be the hand that hampers with it.
Applause.
Lastly. never give Tom up. He may be
dull but do not use sarcasm or speak with
contempt. A teacher who will so treat a
pupil ought to be discharged forthwith.
And never give him up morally. And
though he be hayward. kindness and gen.
tleness and prayerfulness will some day
have it's reward.-St. Paul Pioneer Press.
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