The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1904-11-10

Paper read at the teachers institute at seot
land, by Mrs. f. C. Washburn, Oct. D.
THE PERSONALITY OF THE TEACHER.
One great law of the universe, is, 10
give. All nature reveals to us this
truth, unconsciously, but nevertheless
true. The flower in its beauty, gives
of It's personality, and not less does the
flowing river, or the gurgling brook.
Trees, standing serenely in their ma
jesty are our benefactors; even the YER
lest weed, s%pringing up by the way
side has its influence. Who has not
experienced the unseen power OF the
winds, which, with all their seeming
~fickleness, are a blessing to mankind,
in giving health and strength. Many
an unhappy mortal has been wood
again to cheerfulness, by their soft,
caressing, loving touch upon cheek and
brow.
The master, some 1000 years ago,
cried, to all eternity, give, give, give,
and it shall be given unto you, and SO
on, down through aeons of time, the
cry has been ringing, is still ringing
give, give, give,-give love, give joy,
give peace. To us this message is sent
and we are not unmindful Of it. We
give of our personality, and in return
take from others, 1t is interchangeable
law, and this exchange is going on for
ever and forever. How often do we
pause, to think of what we radiate
from our own personality. 1t is only
that which we possess and are, which
we can radiate, but the measure is I'M
limited. He who said, "Be We there.
fore perfect even as your Father in hea-
ven is perfect" asked no more than we
are capable Of. Let US set our ideals as
high and as bright as yon shining
star and let fervent faith and love
be ours.
While all should strive to attain the
greatest possible perfection, the teacher
especially needs to cultivate a person.
atty of the highest standard.
The perception Of children in the
study Of human haracter is keen, in
the extreme. O. H. Lang, editor Of Edu-
catlona! Foundations says.-Every
child is an Individual revelation of di-
vinity. Herein Is contained the sub
stance ofthe creed, which distinguished
this age from the past. Formerly an
opposite view obtained, outside of
mothers hearts, at least. 70 be sure
there are children whose divinity is so
completely concealed, frou all but the
most skilled eye Of faith in humanity.
that a doubt, as to their heavenly ORR
gin and destiny, Gems justifiabIe.
There are, too, educators blind in their
own conceits; blind especially to en-
bryonic good. the marvelouSIy Keen
eyed in fault finding. Faith in a child
and the encouraging attitude which
springs from this filth. tns never
mnrlcH "A singh sud. .Nu educator
who cultivate, \ practical ;aI II IN eve
~ individual child in his care. will he
dnuhlE rewarded His influence will
inspire ANA cheer the Young OF their
way, and thousands will call him
blessed. The educator himself. will he
made happier by his faith, and his own
character will grow >trongerand sweet
| or thereby.
Quoting from Alice Freeman Pal
1ner.-The time will come, when the
examiner of u candidate, will ask first.
int" the personal and private character
of the teacher. High ideals are not
secondary to noble character, 1t is not
the learning that she has, nrr the
training that she has, that makes the
true teacher. 1t is her personality.
The success of many of the best
teachers today. lies in the power of
their " high character, and their
endeavor to promote, through love and
sympathy, the best possibilities of the
children under their charge. Profts
slonal training is not to be disparaged.
1t is a great power in itself, but it is
not the greatest, nor the highest Man
ners and morals. and they are one, in
the personal character are Of far great
er value.
To feel that his teacher lives for a
noble and beautiful ideal, will makethe
pupil aspire to such an ideal" He
bert translates the following from that
great educator whose memory is so loved
and reYered-Froebel-"The essence or
divine part Of things. and of man. is
known only through their outward ex-
preston, for education is simply, help.
ing the divine within us, to come forth,
to act.'
And shall personality be any less /!
divine? Shall we realize our divinity
and 30 into o~ur~schHoI rooms living it,
expressing It, in every act, move or
word? Many pages might be written
upon the outward symbol of ones per
sonality, for the outward is ever the
expression of the inward:-of ones gen
eral polse, neatness of dress, hair. teeth,
hands. nails etc. Yon have heart it
many times. Page, in hts Theory and