The Somerset reporter., 1896-07-23
Duties of Parents to the
Common Schools.

Read before Skowhegan Grange, june q by
the Lecturer.
Rights and duties are intimately con-
nected. Rights are Justly secured when
duties are properly performed Col
eridge says. Every right has is cor
responding duty" Because Of the self
ishness, injustice and Incidence of man
kind there Is greater desire to secure
rights than willingness to perform
duties The sum and substance of all
human experience, Of all successful man
hood is in the faithful performance Of
every duty. The evasion, neglect or
disregard of duty leads 10 strife, suffer
ing and poverty and causes most Of the
ills that effect the human race. Duties
are manifold. They confront Us on
every hand, in every land, in every de-
partmcnt of human effort. No duty can
be disregarded or neglected with i'm
punity. There is penalty sooner or
later for every evasion.
The security, prosperity and happi-
ness of the people, the advancement of
the human race, the progress Of eiyiliza-
ton depend largely, if not entirely, upon
the efficient and faithful execution of
every duty in all branches of human
effort. The accomplishment of duties
make the burden of life, but neglect of
duties may create greater burden. In
our efforts To meet the demands made on
Us, we get the toll, the care, the hard
ship perhaps. the annoyances, the
yeXatiOns and In short what is termed
the experiences and discipline Of life.
Aud one very important thing, as it
seems to me, is, that all labor, whether
manual or mental, to be efficient and
render the highest service should be
done in season, should be done cheer
fully and fathfully-should be done
well.
whatever you attempt to do, strive
to do we'll No better Injunction than
this was ever expressed in words. If
needed, it is helpful to all. Duties are
laid upon all. There are the duties of
citizen. of neighbor, of farmer, of
civil officer, of husband in various re-
lations and of parents in general and to
the common schools in particular.
We hear and read much about the
common schools. Their importance is
conceded their necessity admitted.
But somehow, for some reason, they are
not satisfactory. Much fault is found,
some good advice is given, reforms pro-
posed and remedies sought for. Ii the
common schools are not what they
should be, if evils exist, if defects
abound, then there are fau, in the
school system or in methods of instruct
ion and government, or there is a dis
regard of duty by teachers, school
officers and parents.
Under our present school system and
probably under any system for general
instruction, the highest success is real
lized when there Is hearty cooperation
among teachers, school officers and
parents; neither can fully succeed alone.
One of the adverse conditions relating to
the country schools is the small number
of pupils attending, result of small
families and disregard of that old in
junction to multiply and replenish the
earth We Judge of the prosperity and
welfare of nation, state or town by
its increase in wealth and population.
What is the situation when the popula-
ton is constantly decreasing as ii is in
most of the rural towns of this state.
Is everything just right? Is there not
too much evasion of important duties
and Sinking of responsibilities that can
not be evaded with impunity. The
highest, noblest and most important
function of womanhood is motherhood.
Eugene Field esteemed and honored
woman because she could be a mother.
Parents should aid the teacher in all
possible ways. This is their duty. In
still habits OF neatness, promptuess and
punctuality. Have the children at the
school room in season and every day.
Take an interest in your school and
manifest some concern for the advance
ment and real Improvement of your
children. Don't encouraged your
scholars in their efforts to 20 through
many books in short time. Help them
to get a thorough knowledge of the
rudiments. Have them understand what
they go over. Have them learn the
practical and useful branches first.
These have been too much neglected.
No boy or girl should be allowed to take
botany, Latin or geometry until he can
write neat, legible hand, use capital
letters properly, write letter correctly
and add accurately and rapidly the
columns of figures which might appear
in ordinary business. 70 these attain
ments add the other ground rules, a
Through hnoWleuRe OF fractions ana
PERCENTAGE, single entry in bookkeeping
and some acquaintance with business
forms and your boy or girl is well pre-
pared, if they are honest, persevering
and faithful, to go out into the world
and fight the battle of life.
Don't induce fault-flnding in your
child or children. Listen to their com
plants quietly, but do not take sides
with them. IL the situation seems to be
serious, see the teacher and have him
state the case before you decide who is
in fault. Ii he is evidently unworthy to
fill the place, to do the duties required,
1t is the duty of parents to enter COM
plant to the proper authority.
Don't demand too much of your teach
er. Too much explanation tends to con-
fusion. The most efficient teacher is
Ilnt hn 1