The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1917-07-04
JUDGE VIM. CHRISTIE BENET.

The following sketch was prepar-
ed sometime ago by Chief Justice
Eugene B. Gary, for a Northern
newspaper, which at the time was
running a series of articles on
~Scotchmen who have made good in
America"
The sketches of those who came
from the "Land O. cakes and brither
Scots" and have obtained promi-
hence in America, would not be COM
plete without mentioning the sub
ject of the present sketch.
In 1868 William Christie Benet, a
young Scotsman of handsome mien,
commanding personality, glowing
with robust health, and splendidly
equipped Intellectually, for the bat
tie of life-having just graduated
from the University of Edinburgh
came to America to make it his new
home.
While he was attending the Uni
versity, he became acquainted with
a number of students from America,
and, between him and them there
arose warm and lasting friendships.
The conclusion to leave his native
country, was influenced in large
measure, by these friendships, and
by the vivid descriptions his Ameri-
can friends gave of their country.
Several of these students were from
the town of Cokesbury, in the State
of South Carolina. He went directly
to that town, and the people were at
once deeply impressed with his kind
Iy nature, intellectual attainments,
and varied accomplishments. In fine,
he seemed to have m~agnetized the
community, and was willingly ac-
corded leadership in all matters, lit
erary and social.
Shortly after his arrival, he was
elected principal of the high school
for boys; and, here we may say, be-
gins the first chapter of his career,
in his adopted country.
The school opened under auspi-
cious circumstances, and with enthu-
siasm on the part, both of the teach
er and the pupils.
He continued to teach this school
for three years, without an assist
ant, although the attendance was
very large.
It may be said, without exaggera-
lion, that this was a model school,
due principally to the fact, that the
Young Scotsman was a born teacher.
There is no doubt, that teachers like
poets, are born, not made. He did
not believe in the use of the rod, but
in cultivating a high e. prit de corps.
among the boys, who on all occa-
sions, were placed on their honor.
During the hours when the school
was not in session, the utmost free
dom existed, between him and the
bows. He entered into their sports,
and even rendered them every as
sistance, in planning their amuse-
ments and pastimes. The boys re-
garded him as a companion, and as
one of their most cherished friends.
He was their idol, and there was not
a boy who would not have risked his
life for this friend. 1t is only natur-
al that, with such relations existing
between teacher and students, they
should have been able to do fine team
work. He realized that the instruc-
tor does not fulfill the duties of his
high and sacred trust, when he
merely s%upervises the training of the
students, to the extent that they
will be able to recite the lessons from
the books, prescribed by the regu-
lar curriculum of study, to his satis-'
faction. He knew that there was a
marked difference, in imparing in
formation by hearing the daily les
sons from books, and the constant
training by word of mouth, in the
ways of wisdom, as the occasion
arises from day to day.
He knew that while it is true, God
does not give to any of US, the same
talents; and, that necessarily, our
opportunities for attaining to great
ness or achieving success, are not
the same, nevertheless, there is no
reason why, under proper training,
should not be made equally efficient,
in so far as his natural talents will
permit. He knew that in order to
achieve the highest state of efficien-
- &c not on1v essential. that ey-