Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-04-17

The St. Msry's School At Knoxville
Strongly Endorsed and Approved.

Strongly Endorsed and Approved.
EDITOR HEKALp-It is not lit
tie singular that parents have
50 little regard in the education Of
of their children, to the moral atmos-
phere with which they are surrounded.
Many promising child has bid fare
we'll to home aud friends, chershing
the brightest hopes Of the future, only
TO ind the surroundings and associa-
tions Of school life such rs to obliterate
forever the teachings of home, and to
corrupt the very fountains Of their ma
lures. 1t has ever been our endeavor
to impress upon parents, first OF all,
the. necessity Of guarding with jealous
care the minds of their children against
being corrupted by impure influences,
and We still feel that there is no sub
ject IN which We are 70 greater degree
interested.
Next in importance to the calling of
Christian minister is the teacher. It's
the silent, unspOken, unconscious
tuition OF the school room which tells
the most powerfully upon the charsc-
ter OF the child. During every moment
of school life. the plastic mind Of the
child 10 receiving, though unconscious
ly. Impressions which mould the char
acter and shape the destiny for eternity.
Tie teacher deals with mind and
through mind makes lasting im-
pre- SONS upon the heart, which creates
soul. He Is called to educate immortal
beings. He IS stamping upon their souls
impressions that will endure "when the
sun shall be- blotted out, and the moon
and the stars shall withdraw their
shining" Should there be given to
each teacher q broad tablet of shining
silver, upon which he were required to
inscribe some sentiment, to be read by
Thousands on earth, and by angels in
heaven, he would tremble in view Of
that important duty; ne would desire
that the sentiment might be truthful
and wise. and such rs would be ap-
proved above. Now, there are placed
In the hands of every teacher, many
tablets, not, indeed, of silver and gold,
but tablets that snail endure when sill
yer and gold have persisted, the i'm.
mortal tablets Of youthful minds and
souls. Upon these teachers are inscrib-
ing principles and sentiments which
thousands of their fellow men will read
with grief or JOY, and which all the
angels of light will one day look upon
with tears, or behold with Civilizations
OF approval. How important, then,
becomes the duty to look after the
moral character-of the influences
which surround them Mt school. To
succeed in acquiring . fair proficiency
In their studies 10 by no means all that
a parent should look for, or hope for.
While doing this, they are suffering the
moral character to be undermined and
the lessons of truth ipculcated at home
are forever lost. A good teacher, how
ever we'll qualified, Is not ali that is to be
considered In insuring good school;
the home-llke and cheerful appearance
Of the buildings, rooms and general
surroundings go TO make up IN their
influences the character of the coming
man or woman.
These are, or should be considera-
tons, we believe. not often taken into
account. The school-room is IN many
instances prison, from which children
are ANXIOUS TO escape. When shall
those who have children to educate in
sist upon school boards, or managers OF
schools, giving some attention tore
form in this matter?
One OF the rare instances which has
come under our observation. in which
the surroundings OF pupils IN this re-
spect have been carefully considered. IS
the st. .Mary's school, at Knoxville,
H.. under the careful and able man
agement of DIR. c. W. Lethngwell and
he efficient and pains taking corps of
teachers. We sincerely believe that
the doctor deserves credit for being
among the foremost IN tins work of re-
form.
Eternity only can reveal the power
for good, which these silent, yet lofty
forces. exert upon the minds of youth,
and Il is criminal for parents to neglect
this all important duty of looking after
the surroundings of their children
while at school. This - certainly one
OF the needed reforms of the hour. ard
We rejoice that the good work is being
done at the quiet town of Knoxville,
and We trust the example will prove
contagious. Children need refined
homes IN schools. They need TO be
under the influence of teachers full of
character and individuality.
One OF the most impressive days OF
our life Was that of Palm Sunday. April
10. The weather WAS beautiful, the
surroundings delightful and the SER
vices truthful. The singing was .
modest, yet . pleasing. soui-stirring
innovation. There could be nothing
more becomingly grand. Then the
process on Of over . hundred girls,
marching through the main hall OF the
school building. thence through the
fine cloister, into aud through the sisle
Of the chspel. The clergy led, followed
by the teachers. who were followed by
the pupils, each one with . palm IN
hand gracefully thrown over the
shoulder. The baptismal font looked
beautiful. aud the services throughout
were highly impressive. Palm sunday
1T -. Nary's will never be forgotten.
IL was . day for thought. day for
Christian enjoyment and . Day for the
bettermeut OF character. The day
seemed 10 Be day Of purldcAtion and
elevation. IL pupils cannot be bene.
fitted there, they cannot se in any other
schooi. II will certainly be their fault
ard not that Of their teachers