The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1909-09-09
The Teachers Opportunity

will open their doors to the yearly
influx of Students we are prompted
to point out one or two underlying
thoughts about education which may
prove of value to student and teach
er.
lust why is 1t that we are engag-
ing 6775 teachers at an annual eX-
pensc, plus that paid to superinten-
dents, of 81 sos, Gal, to give instruc-
ton to 1851 students, between the
ages of and 18? For what purpose
is it all? Just what aim has the
teacher In mind when he or she
faces row upon row of boys and
girls-the pride and joy of thousands
of Maine homes? Just what is the
chief ambition to be implanted in
their hearts, and what is rightly to be
expected of each and every one of
them?
We are finding that at least three
important characteristics are being
uellldHueu VI eNSlS man. VI "oLi"hi
who would hope tc become a useful
ard effective member of human So
cioty.
In the first place, he must possess
a mind intellectually clear. That is,
he must be able to observe accurate
ly, weigh his decisions carefully and
settle them courageously. In still
other words, he must possess mind
trained to progressive and highly ra-
tional thinking.
In the second place, the truly eff
fective member of society mus. pos
sess an earnestness of purpose that
will make his decisions Of positive
usefulness. 1t Is not enough to de
eide between the right and wrong,
especially If wrong is arrogant; there
must go with that decision an earn
est moral purpose to set forth the
true, and champion aggressively, If
needs be, the right.
A third important characteristic,
and one mentioned here as something
more precautionary to be cultivated
in the average mind than something
apart from moral earnestness and
intellectual clearness, Is that of toll
erance. With intelligence should go
makes dents" but joined inextric
ably with 1t must be that of toler-
ance, or the due regard to the opin
ions of others.
To help in the production OF this
sort of a mind Is the teachers first
great consideration.
But, given this clear thinking,
morally earnest, and charitably dis
posed student, what are his duties to
society? Or for what purpose in life
is the public school teacher fitting
the average student who now appears
In the class room?
The whole duty of man" was set
forth in most appropriate language
nearly two thousand years ago, and
the laws governing the individual as
social being then have continued
as guiding truths from that far-off
day to this. Every individual has
been taught them directly or indi-
rectly, through precept or example;
every attempt that has been made to
find the goal of life or the aim of
education has finally concerned itself
with these principles of right living.
They are: do justly, love mercy,
walk humbly. be temperate, see truth.
For this Is the whole duty of man."
Five things then to be taught
Justice, mercy, humbleness, temper
ance and truth. The first two relate
more particularly to mans relations
with fellowmen; the last three relate
more especially to the individual
himself. However, they all yield per-
sonal and social benefits. BY justice
Is meant conformity to the trne re-
quirements of right or positive law;
by mercy, the act of treating an Of
fender with less severity than he de-
serves In strict justice, and always
with his highest good in view; by
temperance, moderation in the :ndul-
gence Of the appetites, passions or
desires-ln other words. self control
by humbleness, unpretentiousnes
not boastfulness; by truth, a fact as
an object of correct belief
Fight Shy Of the above as we may;
seek as diligently as we can for some
other purpose in education; choose
other and perhaps more technical
words to point. the aim of the work
of the class room; yet shall we find
that 1t all leads back inevitably to
the homely old Biblical Interpretation
that has been accepted as truth from
time immemorial. Herein, then, is to
be found the aim of all education.
We have, as will be seen, deter.
mined what shall be the mental
equipment for gaining that which is
more valuable than gold and silver
That mental equipment shall be a
clear mind, backed by a strong moral
purpore, and tempered with sweet
reasonableness. That which Is to be
gained are justice, mercy, humbleness,
temperance, and truth-the gamut of
virtuous conduct.
Now If we have reasoned truly.
what an opportunity Is now ready for