Year: 1861




IMPROVE THE TIME.


Now that our schools are nearly all closed for
the season, and the teachers mostly engaged IN
other vocatiens, it wouI be we'll for every person
who contemplates taking charge Of school during
the coming winter, to ask himself oriherse, Wheth-
er th ey are preparing for the duties of the response
ble position in which they desire to place them
selves. Teachers should ember that their labor
for the mpro vement of their schools is not confined
20 the exercises of the school room. 1t is the duty
of all not only to devote their time and attention
during the session to the advancement of the
scholars Immediately under their charge, but they
should strive to improve themselves in the inter-
veniag time that they may go again to the school
room more skilful workmen, and be better prepared
to impart the knowledge they have acquired to the
minds entrusted TO their care. Their duty to their
Creator as responsible and Influential creatures,
their duty to society and their employers, their
duty to their scholars and themselves, and their
duty to the profession all demand this, and if they
properly appreciate the great responsibility resting
upon them as labofers in this l had almost said
holy calling, they cannot be insensible to these
obligations.


1t is not necessary that every teacher should at
tend school or devote their time holy TO study
during the iGtermission although this is advanta-
gaous when circumstances win allow of it. A
person engaged in almost any occupation may find
some time in each day for intellectual improve
ment Even the farmer or mechanic though he
has not more than fifteen minutes or one half hour
per day may make much advancement in the stufies
if he win devote those moments to them. The
pleasure afforded to a person of reflective mind
more than compensates him for his labor for one
thought give rise to another and new beauties are
continually rresen ted for his contemplation
Many OF the finest schol ars that have ever lived
have educated themselves in this way and their
example should encourage US 20 redouble our ef
forts.


Many of the teachers do not contemplate the
profession of teaching business for life and for
this reason, think they canuot sfford to spend
much time preparing themselves They have
shave been through theEAfithmatic,' Grammar
and Spelling Ro0k, sIand consider themselves thor
oaghiy qualified 10 Keep school, without fully COM
pretending even these primary studies.'' Such
school keepers as they are not teachers. dis
/ grace to their profession and should receive no
! encouragement. They cannot earn their board
more than that they do the schools positive in
jury. If they do not understand a study them
4 selves they cannot make the iafaat mind to COM
prehend it and hinder rather than assist. 1t is of
ten more difficult to unlearn hat which was i'm
( properly taught than to give correct impression
! at first.


I No person would attempt to carry on the busi-
ness of steel engraving wit hout serving appren-
ticeship and becoming acquainted with the different
processes of the art. Now is it reasonable or
right to attempt to mould and fashion the human
mind, tablet as enduring as time and on which
impressions made seldom effaced without
previous, careful preparation.


Even for month of teaching the one who
undertakes it should have a knowledge of the
business. Then let every moment be improved,
in studying and in the reading of educational works
that you may advance rather than retard the great
cause of education