Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1908-07-01
THE TEACHERS HIGH CALLNG.
Hon. j. j. McSwain Addressed the
Teachers Last Wednesday.

at 12 o'clock, at the Court House.
The teachers attended in a body, and
quite number OF visitors were pres
ent. Mr.. McSwain's ramarks were
very appropriate, and were well re-
ceived. Speaking OF the high calling
of the teacher, and his opportunity
for great influence for good. he said,
in part:
In any great work the prime ques-
tion is the ideal. All plan and me-
thod conform themselves to the pur-
pose to be accomplished. 1t is, there-
fore, necessary for us to inquire what
Is the ideal that we should entertain
as to the educated man. Why are we
striving for education? What bless
ings do we expect 1t to bring to usS
What traits and virtues and qualities
do we wish our children to possess?
AS mere boy remember often to
have heard speakers on the educa-
tfonal subjects urge the argument
that the educated man coud make
more money for himself, could live
in greater ease and comfort, could
many fathers have been heard to say
that they would educate their boys
to save them from the hardships
which the father had experienced
1t was thought that education would
put man where he could sit in the
shade In an easy chair, and poor ig-
norant people would come marching
by. dropping their dollars in his cof-
fers.
The answer is too plain. When
everybody shall have been educated,
it will still be necessary that some-
body perform manual labor. 1t will
still be necessary to cultivate the
fields, to operate the mills and shops,
to work at the forge, to build houses,
to cook, scour and wash. Hence, our
ideal of education must be directed to
the cultivation of the mind and heart
of the man and woman to do all kinds
and any kind of work which he or
she is fitted to do, or by circum-
stances is compelled to do.
In other words, our ideal Of educa-
ton must change from one of being
served by others, to one of serving
others. We must not be passive re-
cipients Of culture, to become per-
petual pensioners upon the public.
We must be active doers of the
worlds work, to contribute our share
to the worlds improvement. and to
ask for no privilege which all others
may not receive on like terms.
The idea that manual labor Is de-
grading had its inception in the South
during the period of slavery. That
false notion has been nourished by
the presence of the negro. But the
history of the world shows, and COM
mon sense confirms 1t, that manual
labor is not only the foundation of
all wealth, but the foundation of all
moral character. 1t was the declara-
ton of Almighty God to our fore
parent, and 1t comes down upon us.
The evolution Of society has rendered
a division of labor necessary. Some
of the divisions do not require man
ual and muscular eXertion. Never
theless, no man can succeed even in
such business, unless he is willing
to work with his hands were 1t neces-
sary.
Hence, that education which con-
forms to the true conditions of life
must train men and women for work.
Most of our country schools devote
their time to training the mind, and
teaching the children to read, to
write and to calculate. If the par
ents do their duty the children will
receive instruction in manual train
ing at home. However, the schools
can do much in the way Of moral
training. The fundamental thought
involved in the word 'morals" is
habit. 1t IL just as easy to form good
habits as bad habits. While the
school is drilling the child in read
ing and writing, at the same time 1t
can be instilling habits of punctual-
ity, exactness, truthfulness. candor
and diligence, which will be more
valuable than knowledge Of all the
books ever written. knowledge with
out character Is as dangerous wea-
pom without a guide. Nations of citi-
the world, and having all knowledge,
if they lack moral character, will
soon go to wreck on the breakers OF
ruin. A people with moral character
will convert desert into a garden. IA
wilderness into city, and will util-
iZe all the resources Of nature for the
blessing and betterment OF humanity.
Hence. we are led to the irresisti-
BILE conclusion that the prime factor
in education, If 1t shall accomplish
it's high mission, Is the formation of
right character. A boy or girl may
stand at the foot of the class. yet If
he or she will tell the truth, work
diligently, Is always in his or her
place, such a pupil is bound to sue
ceed in life. On the other hand, the
brightest mind in school. If these
elements Of moral character are lack
ing, might not only prove to be use
less to society and an enemy to him
self, but may become a burden, or
criminal, or corrupter of the
youth, and be a force to tear down
the moral character OF the people.
Hence, the teacher teaches more by
example than by precept. The teach
er must be consistent, truthful, pune