The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-02
CHORAL Training and Temperance Work in
the Schools"

~Moral Training and Temperance Work in
the Schools
MORAL philosophy, morality, ethics,
casuistry, natural law, all mean the
same thing; namely, that science which
teaches men their duty, and the rea-
sons of it," Moral training is the
drawing out and developing OF our in
nate sense of duty into what is called
character This, l take it, is the most
important part Of the teachers work.
Character Emerson says, is moral
order seen through the medium Of iu-
dividual nature Also that, men Of
: character are the conscience OF the So
ciety to which they belong This being
true, how important is it that moral
training should hold the first place in
the eurricula of our schools and colleges.
Without morals this world would be a
chaotic mass Of confusion and conflict,
might would be right, and the strongest
would prevail. While I 60 not under
value learning, agree with George
Herbert when he says, a handful Of
good life is worth bushel Of learning
Character, the result Of moral training,
is the foundation stone upon which the
true, the beautiful, and the good rest. A
man may have learning, he may be a
genius, but unless he is a moral man
in its broadest sense, his influence will
be but as the mist before the rising
sun. The great mel OF the world we're
men Of the highest sense Of duty. The
world is by far the better, that such
men as Martin Luther, Calvin, John
Knox, and he Wesleys lived init. We
have, perhaps, nowhere in history a
grander example Of moral courage, and
devotion to duty, than was exhibited
by Luther when summoned to Worms
Sto answer the charge o. heresy. He
was urged not to 60; that a certain
Duke George was very bitter against
him, aud tL,.i liz Luther( would surely
be put to death. TO this he replied, I
will go there though for nine whole
days running it rained Duke Georges.
A reply worthy Of the man. He was
ready to face death, and did face it, for
the sake of conscience and truth and |
duty.
This principle Of duty, born of our
obligations to God and to mankind, is |
the chief cornerstone of the foundation,
character, upon which is built the su-
perstructure Of mans life.
Truth and duty are the chief princi-
Piles, which make up mans life. AS
the offspring Of these two We haveluve,
courage, faith, hope, and last but not
least, charity, the twin sister Of love.
When we examine the lives Of great
and good men, we find truth and duty
developed in the highest degree.
Washington, Wellington, Lord Nelson,
and host of others whose lives were
sublime had "duty" for their motto.
When Lord Nelson was about to en-
gage in the great naval battle Of Trafal-
gar, he made no speech to his men, did
not endeavor to work upon their ma
tional pride. He simply signaied to his
feet, England expects every man to
do duty" and the battle was won.
Let Us remember, and be encouraged
by what our own Longfeliow says:
''The lives of great men al remind Us,
We can make our lives sublime:
And departing leave behind us,
Foot prints on the sands Of time"
While learning and wealth are at
taiued by comparatively few, inasmuch
as the opportunities for acquiring them
come not to Us all, we should be truly
grateful to an all-wise providence for
placing within the reach of all the op-
portunity to form character. A pos
session more precious than gold, and
more lasting than brass. While the
obtainment of this possession is within
the reach of all, it must not be inferred
that it is easily come by. On the other
hand it requires constant vigilance,
self-control, and self-denial.
The will is a most important factor
in the formation of character. There
comes to US at all times the necessity
of choosing between right and wrong,
and it requires an effort Of will-power
to choose the right. But man is a
buadle Of habits, and by exercising the
will in the cause Of right in all cases, to
do right becomes second nature, and
without considering the merits Of the
case, we choose i5e:-trom force Of
habit. Just so soon as men and women
have established 4 good character, ut
once they become power in the socie- :
ty in which they move, no matter how
lowly their sphere. Knowing this to
be true, we as teachers should strive
with all the power that in us les, to in
culcate the principles oftruth and duty. J
By precept, and above all iy esssss11lple.
Always be on time -anac0nscient;ously
and faithfully discharge every duty.
TrustJour pupils. Put them on their
honor. Treat lie as great moral o.
fence, and endeavor t. work the morale
OF your school to the height that the
celebrated DR.. Arnold had his at Rug
by. 1t was common saying among
the boys, ''it is a shame to tell Arnold
a lie, ne always believes one believe
it is possible to so train children that
they will Go right for rights sake: that ,
it is possible to so enthuse them, and to
develop within them such 6 desire for (
knowledge, that they will study for :
the reward OF learning.