The leader., 1904-08-20

THE TEACHER.
By Bishop Galloway.
Under Direction OF
KATE MARKHAM POWER


ments for improvement in the schools
of Mississippi today.
Among the leading editorials which
made the current number a dis
tinguished success was one from the
brilliant pen Of that beloved bishop,
Charles B. Galloway, now on his long
journey to China, where he is doing
the Masters work.
So well is it worth reading, and SO
far is it ahead Of anything that my
unframed pen might write, that re-
print it in these columns today, and
beg our readers to give their time and
thought to its perusal:
With the rapid development of the
modern school idea, there is an in
creasing appreciation of the teacher.
And with the enlarged demand for
thorough professional training, the
character and personality of the teach.
er are of most intelligent concern. I'M
proved methods are important, better
textbooks are desirable, ampler equip
ment is demanded, but above and be-
yond all other considerations is, who
teaches the school. The person be-
hind the desk, rather than the books
his hand-determines the character
and measures the value Of an institu-
tion. The world moves by personal
lty.' Character outweighs scholarship.
A great life is more potential than
technical training Tennyson has hap
PLY expressed that idea in these ex-
quisite lines:
And SO the Word had breath, and
wrought
: With human hand the creed Of
creeds,
In loveliness of perfect deeds
More strong than poetic thought
Teachers are more easily under
stood than textbooks. A child may
find difflculty in unrayeling the mystic.
ries of syntax, or the rules of mathe-
matics, but can feel the might and
weight of character as readily and
helpfulIy/ as the profoundest phil
osopher. This is the one vital fact on
which the whole science of education
must proceed. And this should also
be the one controlling principle in the
organization of schools and the selec-
ton of teachers. / can imagine moth
ing more fatal to child or to COM
munity than teacher, Intellectually
bright, but with shallow character
and fiippant manner and superficial
ideals. On the other hand, a teacher
who regards his profession as holy
calling-who has seriousness and
serenity of characteristic loves the
schoolroom for its opportunities rather
than its stipend, is the mightiest factor
in his community. 1t was these quail
ties more than his vast learning that
made Arnold of Rugby the greatest
man of his time in old England. In
this connection / would therefore offer
two suggestions to all school trustees:
~ Never employ teacher who SIM
ply wants to make salary; it will
bankrupt any nation to pension would
be teachers at the expense of~the right
education Of its childhood. (2) Never,
IL possible, employ teacher on writ
ten testimonials. See the person, and
feel the weight of his character be-
fore entrusting to his care the children
of your homes.
"The teacher should be professional
" trained. We demand skilled la.
Tor everywhere except in the school
room. At least that was the history
of American education until recent
years. Now, happily, sentiment has
changed, and with it has come the
greater dignity and holier response
bility of the professional teacher.
There is much shoddy work done in
the schoolroom. Much of mental and
moral tragedy has been enacted in our
land because of incompetent and un'
worthy instructors of American youth.
Nowhere is skill more needed than in
the schoolroom. A mere desire to
teach is not sufficient qualifications for
that high service. Passion for the
sea does not make a great sailor.
Eagerness to defend the flag OF ones
country does not make hero or a
capable general of armies. So a SEN
timental ambition to teach does not
make a teacher.
"A few years ago one Of the great
Atlantic liners was driven against the
rocks on the Irish coast. The com
mander Of the vessel was tried before
a proper tribunal and suspended from
further service at sea. So vast are the
interests involved that no one can be
intrusted with command who betrays
the slightest negligence or incapacity'
And yet in this larger commerce OF
immortal mind-in this more perilous
voyage over the sea of anybody
has been thought competent to guide
any unframed hand can hold the
wheel. any Impractical eye can take
the daily reckOnings.
"The teacher should be a patriot
And whether the flag of his nation
waves above his school house or not
its principles ought to sway his life
and dominate all his endeavors. After
all, the teachers of people. and not
It's politicians, write its constitutions
end enact its laws and define its gov
ernmental policies. Horace Mann
who founded the common school sys
tenn of Massachusetts, did more to de
termine the political history of that
commonwealth than did Daniel Web
sterfi the great senator and so-called
expounder Of the Constitution. The
battle for the future Of the American
republic win be fought in the Ameri
can schoolhouse.
Barnyard Wisdom.
Said the roster in the barnyard
no the rooster on the yane:
'I'm a mighty knowing fellow