The Durham daily globe. (Durham, N.C.) 1889-1894, 1894-06-25
THE LIFE Of
THOMAS ARNOLD

President Hobgood, of the North Caro-
lima teachers assembly, delivered his an
nual address at Morehead on the Life of
Thomas Arnold, of Rugby.
All of the address would be pleasant
reading for THE GLOBES subscribers, but
we have room for only short summary.
Thomas Arnold first taught at Lale
ham, where he prepared few pupils for
the university and later in 1927, was
called to be head master at Rugby. He
filled wOrthily the high station to which
he was called. He felt its responsibilities
and in all his life was aCtuated as few
men are by a high sense Of duty. Judged
! by the highest standards, those of heaven,
| he lived an cminently successful life and
: secured fame such as comes to few men
Now what are the qualities that fitted
! him for his work. First, he thoroughly
prepared himself. He spent many years
in sharpening his tools and was a dill
gent student even after he entered upon
his profession. He was not satisfied with
present mental attainments and knew
that there could be 10 stationary point
in ones mental development, and that
the only preventive of mental palsy
was the acquisition of fresh knowledge
The lesson Cf thorough preparation is
essential 10 all. If one is eloquent only
in that which he thoroughly knows, the
teacher WHO would enable his pupils to
81 e clearly and distinctly, must himself
have clear and distinct knowledge He
cannot by high sounding words cover up
h defec's. If teacher has anything TO
say he will say il in the language Of this
world.
Arnold had great patience, but it was
cultivated, for naturally he was impatient
and nervous. 1t is the dull pupil of the
class that makes US conscious Of having
nerves, but he is the one you have to
reckon with.
Arnold had tirmness and carried this
quality into the government Of the school
He found many vicious customs prevail
ing at Rugby. These he put down with
a strong hand, but IS far as possible he
respected the customs Of the place. Some
Of these customs were quietly removed
and others pnt in their place. In all his
management be showed common sense
and sympathy with the boys natures
In every way he encouraged manly prac
tices and would himself frequently enter
into their games A man without sym
: l.
not teach.
What Arnold said of the teaching of
younger boys may not please all Of this
assembly. 1t is a great mistake to think
that they should understand all they
learn, for God has ordered that in youth
the memory should act vigorously, indie
pendent of the understanding, whereas a
man cannot usually recollect a thing un
less he understands it
But not for his intellectual attain
mcnts however great, not for his firm
ness tempered with genIlenCss, nor for
his love Of teaching, nor for his tact was
he distinguished above his contemporary
headmaslcrs anu did be acquire a fame
more lasting than theirs, and accomplish
a work more far reaching than they, for
in all these respects they were, some his
equals and some bis superi0rs That
. which gave to him success, such as has
come to but few teachers in the wOrld's
history, was the all peryading religious
element Of his na'Ure
Arnold loved to teach and magnify
his office Born, not made, is true Of
the great teacher as Of the great man OF
every sort. Unless you feel called from
heaven, You would better not enter upon
this work And those now in it for the
loavcs and fishes would better 90 at
something else. l. is a high and holy
calling and full Of opportunities fol-
great usefulness 1t runs near and paral-
lei 10 the hoicst calling. The teacher is
dresser in mora, and mental vine
yard
The true teacher feels, Woe is me if |
teach not" There is bond OF sympa-
thy between teacher and pupil that
neither time nor distance can weaken.
This is one Of the rewards OF our profes
sion-our pleasure in the welfare OF
those whom We have taught. 1t IS a
very pure pleasure because, it is un-
selhsh-akin 10 that which one feels in
The success OF his children. Il IS an en-
nobling pleasure too, for whatever tends
TO draw from ourselves is 10 be cherished
His religion was coextensive with his
life. lie came as near as possible to
blotting out the distinction between the
secular and reiyious. His constant