The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-04-02


ties the young can develop, says an
exchange, is self-reliance, yet the
training they receive from both par
ents and teachers is generally of such
a character as to render young people
dependent. Even in the household,
il some simple work is to be done, the
father does it to save time rather than
entrust it to his awkward son. The
mother relieves the daughter that the
latter may acquire accomplishments,
or because she is impatient and can
not sit idly by while a prentice hand
is at work.
In the school room the teacher
finds it easier to do the work of "A
pupil than to superintend his opera
tions. In the workshop the master
takes the work from the hand of the
learner lest the product should be
spoiled. The daily lesson to the
young, impaired to them by expert
ence rather than by precept, is that
they are incompetent and can not for
many years acquire the skill of their
preceptors. If not altogether dis
couraged by the reproaches for their
awkwardness, they are at least de
prived of that self-contidence or self
reliance which in itself would go Il
long way towards making them skill
full and efficient.
In social life the young man or
young woman is seldom recognized as
being able to do anything without the
advice and assistance of his or her
elders. If an entertainment is to be
arranged, some one with experience
must be consulted; if cards are to be
sent out, the young people feel that
they are incompetent to make out n
list. Mothers complain of their
daughters that the latter cannot buy
dress fabric or bonnet without
assistance, forgetting that the daugh-
ters have never been allowed to do so,
or, having made the attempt, have
been ridiculed or censured for their
choice.
In very many households the young
people are really dependents, and
have fallen into the habit of con
sulting their elders on the most tri-
taste and good judgment, but have
acquired the habit Of deferring to
their elders or superiors and are with
out self-reliance. When freed from
this thraldom- by marriage, for eX-
ample-they gradually acquire self
reliance, and then, forgetting their
own experience, rear their children
in the same way.
The most successful teachers never
do the work that should be done by
their pupils. By the exercise of great
patience they resist the. temptation
to take the easier course, and simply
instruct the pupil as TO what he
should do, leaving him to do it, In
that way they develop some degree
of self-reliance in the pupil. The lat
ter becomes less and less dependent
upon the teacher for help, and leaves
the school able to think and judge
for himself.
This method of training should b'
applied in the household as well as il
the school. The child should be re
quired to do his task without assis
tance, and criticised, if at all, in
kindly manner that will not dis
courage him from trying again. 1t j
not an easy task to do this, especial
if the parent is of nervous dispos
ton. The awkwardness of the b'
ginner is irritating so, also, is hi
slowness Patience is required
keep one from defeating the object {
training by taking the work from tn
hand Of the learner, or from scoldin
him for his incapacity.
1t is well, however, to make the a
tempt to teach self-reliance, for it is
great help to after training and wi
be needed by the young man whe
he goes out into the world and find
no parent to lean upon. The youn
will not do anything just as thei
elders would do it. They hay
...kl.. 4la alz;l nor Tho aNnarianc a.