Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-03-29

10 DING 10 Dear every lekltllualc re-
source. We should then "covet earn
estly the best gifts" But can We ex-
pect the best gifts by simply covering
theInf Nay, but by the faithful use
of present gifts, these self same
powers, which we now possess, pur-
haps in a small degree, may be made
TO stretch outward and upward to-
ward infinity. We may talk about
born genius, and all that, and yet
there Is no excellence without great
labor.
Napoleon with all his natural apti-
tude in military matters could never
have claimed victory to his chariot
wheels for 50 many years, had he not
added to his natural genius, the most
intense study during hours when 9TH
er men slept. Our greatest poets,
have been the greatest students, and
our greatest orators likwise. In every
department OF human thought, and
human industry, the best gifts are
only obtained by intense application.
But what are we to regard as the
best gifts for the teacher. II we are
profoundly impressed with the value
of this short life of ours as a period of
warfare with evil and in which to fit
ourselves, and those committed to our
charge, for the greater enjoyment of
the endless life to come, then. are we
truly in the possession of one of the
best gifts. Right views of life and
duty should be counted among our
choicest Jewels.
Another treasure to be coveted by
us is just and enlightened view of
our calling. / fear too many Of us are
deficient here. What think We fellow
teachers, of your professsionS Does
it present to you such attractiveness
as no other calling presentsf Is it
field of labor which you love, honor
and reveref Is tia profession worthy
Of all your affection, all your zeal, all
your talents, all the glory and honor
you can bring into 1T, and a thousand
fold more9 Then are you already in,
the possession of another of the best
gifts.
But again, varied attainments I'M
knowledge and a cultivated taste are
most essential, Gas we have already
intimately for those who have the
embryotic orators, statesmen, poets
and scholars to instruct. But to thesel
attainments the path is plain and
open to all. That steady process
which builds the ant heap, or the
coral reef-the process of accretion-I
may make the teacher the peer of any
scholar in the land. IL with polished
tastes we blend the riches of learning
we shall possess another of the best
gifts. Another gift of inestimable
value to which / have already re-
ferred in pointing out the sources of
personal influence, is true professional
skill, such as invests every subject
studied, and every arrangement of
the school room with atbractiveness
SO that to the pupil it shall be place
Of continued satisfaction and delight.
But this rare gift, the ability to
make the school room q place of the
richest and most valued attraction,
can come only by the most earnest
coveting, united with long continued
labor and watchfulness; and in order
to higher culture, on our part, we
must place ourselves in constant com
munication with the highest stand
ards of professional skill, and eontin-
ually compare our own attainments
with them that we may thus be en-
abled to take the measure of our own
fully believe that we
ought, frequently, to subject al our
excellencies, and all our infirmfties
also, I'd shdnest tests, for in doing this
we shall ever be learning those pro
fessional gifts which we need most
earnestly to ocovet.
Finally, my fellow teachers, let us
adopt the motto, mot how much, but
how well" Striving to do all our
work inuthe best possible manner,
stands at the head of all maxims for |
the teacher. To those who have had |
little, experience, it is the simplest and |
best of all counsels, being the only |
pledge of success in every department |
of education. Our pupils should be-
come thoroughly indoctrinated with
the important truth that no advance
ment is so certain, and SO rapid as
thorough training. "Not how much,
but how well,n in the elementary
sounds, in the first reading lessons;3
and in all primary instructions if the
only royal road to perfection in every
thing. Yet we, as teachers, meet al
most daily with temptations to com
promise with this maxim, or perhaps
10 ylelu III dlUOReGuer. I0e muIGlpl1c- |
ity of duties, the usages of other
teachers, or the general current of |
public opinion, is ever pleading for
some departure. Let us never give
ear to the voice of the tempter, never
despond over the dryness and delay
of doing little well1 Never yield to |
the opportunities of our pupils to go
faster against our own convictions of |
wise policy. mot how much, but |
how WELL" that it may be said of us,
thou good and faithful servant, thou
hast been faithful over few things,
1 will make thee ruler over many |
things.