The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-31

| Crawley. B. A. University of NirGinal,
| language; Rev. J. W. Smith. A. f.,
1 English and Greek; 7. n. Havelin (BetE-
4 required in the schools. and to ensure
/ success This can best be done by the
| special and technical education and train
| ing of the teacher from and through oul
/ whole school course until graduated from
a school OF pcdag osy of the University
/ To this specialized instruction ana the
| professional standing which is It's out
| come is attributed the marvellous growth
/ and brilliant success of the schools OF
! GERMANY. We should learn and apply.
| THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES GREAT.
The demands upon and the responsible
1 ties Of tea cheers are very great, their edu-
| cation. training. prosreSsiveness and WORK
| must be commensurate. The teachers OF
the past i'll Virginia, taking all things
| into consideration, have been a most re-
markable body-in many respects unique
! and interesting. When the public school
| system was instituted, in 1871, by that
| peerless educationalst in this Common.
| wealtll-Dr William II. Ruffner-there
, were but few trained teachers in the
| state. except those who had been con-
4
| colleges and the University. The public
school system was novel and there arose
| considerable opposition to 1.-THE minds
and habits of the people being against
what they thought a burden and an in
| reference with their domestic concerns.
| Yet. by the strenuous administration OF
| DR.. Ruffuer and his bold front and
| trcnchant blows. the system was made
4 strong. and soon open antaSonism ceased
| its futile efforts. And remarkable 10
| relate skilled teachers spranG up through
| out the state 10 institute and conduct
| the work of the schools. These teachers
| were drawn. principally. from the multi
tude Of educated and cultured ladies IN
| our State, who were OF that enlightened.
gracious and splendid womanhood that
| craccd and elevated the homes of Nlr-
rinia These devoted women gave their
| brave hearts. fine intelligence and high
characters. and. in many instances, fine
| culture and training. 10 the common
| schools. And for what2-A mere pit
lance and oftentimes SneerS and sar-
cas,ns. There were also splendid men
| in this body of teachers. who. from adj
verse circumstances, were forced to give
their talents and powers to this i'm
| portant work though the remuneration
| was a. bagatelle. Many OF these teach
ers are still in our schools. but the great
4 majority of them have graduated into
| eternity OF the teachers of the present,
as a body. when we consider the oppnr-
| t,Inities afforded and the salaries paid we
| can but speak with admiration and
(, rraise. In most instances. they lanvt,
| fine requirements, End perform their
| work faithfully. acceptably and with q
| degree of patient labor and self-sacrlfice
| that is worthy of all commentator. and
| this. too. in the face of many disadvan-
| tases. miserable pay, measre support
| aid and comfort, and, sometimes. actual
| depreciation of their qualifications and
! sources
LOOK TO THE FUTURE.
! But we should not look back to the
/ past. save TO gather new strength. nor
| be content with the present; 1t matters
4 not how well we may feel we are sue
| ceeding, we should look from the present
| to the morrow-to the future, and reso-
1 lu,ely confront its difficulties and prob
| lens and conquer them. To meet the
requirements Of our schools our teachers
! in. the future must strive to attain to
Vet higher things--to nobler and most
| exalted standards of excellence and use
1 fulness. The paramount question as,
/ How are they to accomplish these re-
| suits? ! can give an outline OF
! ways and means" in bold relief and leave
to You 10 supply the details and color
inss:
! l. They must be progressive This is
| a sine qui non OF success.
g They must establish and reach a
higher and loftier standard.
8. They must be adequately instructed
| in the fundamental OF education and
| training, advanced n culture and skilled
| in those things which supplement and
! enrich the regular course of the public
! schools.
| 4. They must be imbued with literature
| and artistic In sight. appreciation and
cultivation and capable II impartins the
| beauty and inspirations OF these essen,
tial branches of their pupils. SO as to in.
| nuence their school work and lives.
). They must become proficient in the
| art and cult OF manual skill and and in.
| dustrial training within the scope OF theil
| schools AID apt TO each and able to di,
rect their pupils in such courses.
g. They must grasp the heart and pur-
pose OF the kindergarten system and its
| work and adapt and mould its aims ant
4 facilities to their own schools.
1 t. They must be panoplied with the
! sanctions and essence OF moral and re
| ligious strength and virtue, sweetened by
| the innate courtesies and amenities OF
life and their kindly expression.
S. They must preserve in the lives
teachings the singular religious purity
and conscience of the South. and the
4 wonderful conservatism Of her people
/ which are the boasts OF our peculiar civ,
ilsza,ion, and the bplwarks OF our public
! and private life. The distinction of the
South in these respects should be main,
tanned.
WORK OUT HER DESTINY.
Tho destiny Of the South is to De
! worked out by her own people. unde.