190 



®!)e jTarmcr'0 jHonttjls bisitor. 



CoumiGH School Dqmrtiueut. 



CONDUCTED BY PROF. RUST. 



The Defects of our Schools, and their Reme- 

 dies, 



It is essential that every movement which con- 

 templates the elevation of the common schools 

 should he carried forward, not only in accord- 

 ance with the enlightened spirit of the age, but 

 also with a distinct reference to their deficien- 

 cies. A judicious physician will not prescribe 

 for a patient until he has carefully analyzed the 

 symptoms, and ascertained the nature of the 

 disease, that he may be able to adapt the remedy 

 to the malady. Prior to any additional legisla- 

 tion on the subject of education, it is deemed 

 necessary to present a clear exposition of the 

 defects of our schools, that we may be prepared 

 to propose any amendments, and enact any laws, 

 which, in the wisdom of the General Court, may 

 be considered requisite For the perfection of the 

 system. 



I shall invite your attention oidy to those evils 

 which have come under my own observation, 

 and to which so frequent reference is made in 

 the reports of the superintending committees. 

 All these evils do not exist in every distiict, or 

 may not in every town ; yet they do extensively 

 prevail in different parts of the State; and I 

 should hail it as the harbinger of a glorious era, 

 could a single town be designated in which 

 none of these blemishes mar the humble tem- 

 ples of science, or dim the lustre of those who 

 minister at their altars. 



In those places where the friends of education 

 have been struggling for years to improve then- 

 schools, fewer defects exist, and greater excellen- 

 cies appear, than in those which have just com- 

 menced the work of reform, or in those that 

 have lately been aroused from their deep apathy, 

 and are looking around with astonishment upon 

 the wonderful improvements that have taken 

 place in neighboring towns. This fact is full of 

 encouragement to those who have just entered 

 this department of labor, and are now freely 

 scattering the seeds of truth and intelligence in 

 this inviting soil; for soon waving fields of gold- 

 en fruit shall crown their exertions. 



TEACHERS. 



Many of our schools are encumbered with inexpe- 

 rienced and incompetent teachers. The most es- 

 sential requisite for a good school, is a good 

 teacher. When a person of this description as- 

 sumes its management, no interests are hazard- 

 ed. Prosperity-beams around the temple of sci- 

 ence, and the countenances of its inmates speak 

 of joy and happiness. The intimate connection 

 that exists between the character of the school 

 and its teacher, has been too much disregarded. 

 Its neylect has been productive of the most dis- 

 astrous consequences. The teacher is placed 

 before the pupil six hours a day, during several 

 years of that period of the child's existence 

 which is most susceptible of impression and in- 

 fluence. If the character of the teacher glows 

 with virtue and wisdom, you may read the fact 

 in the integrity am! intelligence of the scholars. 

 But if he be distinguished for negative traits and 

 positive defects, if he be destitute of literary at- 

 tainments ami moral excellence, these truths 

 will be fearfully exhibited in the defective char- 

 acter and improper conduct of the pupils. The 

 maxim, like teacher like scholar, is clothed with 

 all the authority of an axiom, ll symmetry ami 

 elevation of character arc eminently desirable in 



any profession, it is in that of teaching. The 

 object for which the teacher is employed, is to 

 co-operate with the parent in the harmonious 

 development of the physical, intellectual, and 

 moral nature of the child. This is confessedly 

 a work of stupendous magnitude, and one which 

 demands qualifications of the highest order. A 

 glance at the wonderful nature of the being thus 

 to be educated will elevate our views of its im- 

 portance, and should impress our minds with 

 the necessity of great care and wisdom in the 

 selection of an artist for its accomplishment. 

 The body, with its numerous organs, complica- 

 ted nerves and muscles; the intellect, with its 

 vast capabilities, its noble aspirations ; and the 

 c 



onscience, with its peculiar susceptibilities, all 

 demand that eminent qualifications should char- 

 acterize the one who attempts to develop and 

 train beings in whom such amazing interests 

 centre. This harp of a thousand strings is too 

 delicate for the rude hand of an inexperienced 

 performer. The mind, which connects humani- 

 ty with Divinity, which will exist " when Time's 

 last whirlwind has swept the vaulted sky," and 

 may forever glow in the cloudless lustre of the 

 brighter world, should not be intrusted to the 

 exclusive care of a novice. The intellect de- 

 mands the most complete development, and the 

 most exquisite touches of the artist's skill. Let 

 this gem be polished, and its beauties developed 

 by appropriate culture, and it will surpass in lus- 

 tre earth's loveliest objects and become an ap- 

 propriate jewel to deck the teacher's crown. 

 The conscience, which is the source of such 

 momentous consequences, must be enlightened 

 and cultivated by a clear mind and a pure heart. 

 To cultivate the moral powers, demands eminent 

 attainments, as none but a pure spirit can reflect 

 beams of purity, and imbue the soul with that 

 elevated affection that glows so vividly in heav- 

 enly minds. Time may atone for the neglect of 

 some of life's duties, but it cannot relieve man- 

 hood and age of the injuries inflicted upon them 

 in the morning of life by incompetent teachers. 

 The reports of the superintending committees 

 most clearly show that a corps of thoroughly 

 qualified teachers is the present great desidera- 

 tum. The spirit of the age, and the interests of 

 our youth, imperatively demand superior attain- 

 ments. A careful perusal of these reports pre- 

 sents the encouraging fact that, that there has 

 been a decided improvement in this respect dur- 

 ing the past year. 



It affords me pleasure to state that I have 

 found teachers in the district schools who are 

 an ornament to the profession ; and they are ac- 

 complishing an incalculable amount of good. 

 Posterity will mention their names among the 

 favored few who have been beacon lights to di- 

 rect the wayward youth amid the snares incident 

 to their early career. The cause of this defi- 

 ciency of competent teachers may be traced to 

 the following sources: 



1st. The unwillingness of districts to pay those 

 of approved talents and requisite qualifications 

 a fair compensation for their services. The 

 teachers have been as good as the pay. II high- 

 er qualifications are demanded, a more liberal 

 compensation must be offered. It is gross in- 

 justice to demand a superior article at an inferior 

 price. A penurious spirit may be cherished in 

 almost any other transaction, with less disastrous 

 effects, than in the contract with the teacher. If 

 districts will pay a fair price fi»r good teachi rs} 

 and uniformly exclude all others, those who 

 propose to teach, will make a more liberal ex- 



penditure in their preparation, and incompetent 

 persons will shrink from the ordeal of a rigid 

 examination. 



2nd. The sessions of our schools are so short, 

 that individuals uf talent do not apply for them, 

 but seek those situations that promise a more 

 permanent employment. Usually the shortest 

 schools have the poorest teachers, while those 

 ill the more populous places, which continue in 

 session nearly the whole year, secure men of 

 extensive experience and eminent qualifications. 

 3rd. Thi practice of employing males for the 

 winter, and females for the summer schools, in 

 our small districts, discourages either sex from 

 making any extra exertions to qualify themselves 

 for a profession which Offers so few inducements 

 for a comfortable support. The employment of 

 competent females during the winter, in small 

 districts, is most earnestly recommended. Their 

 services can be obtained at a lower price, and 

 the school will be much longer. Several of the 

 best regulated schools that 1 have visited during 

 the winter, were taught by well qualified and 

 accomplished females. 



4th. The business of teaching is not held in 

 that high estimation which its intrinsic merit so 

 richly deserves. By any correct standard that 

 may be adopted, the office of the teacher is 

 worthy of universal respect, for its duties are 

 among the most responsible within the province 

 of human action. Youth of talent and enter- 

 prise will pause before they enter a profession 

 destitute of reward and reputation. Parents and 

 citizens must cherish a higher regard for the 

 teacher and his work, or intrust the sacred inter- 

 ests of the rising generation to incompetent per- 

 sons. Why should not a halo of brightness lin- 

 ger around this profession as brilliant and as 

 winning as that which characterizes those of 

 law, medicine and theology ? Its duties are as 

 arduous and responsible, and its influence not 

 less enduring. 



These causes have contributed to make our 

 schools what they are; and if their character is 

 disreputable to the State, the remedy is at hand. 

 Let those instructors be employed who have de- 

 voted sufficient time and attention to qualify 

 themselves for the successful performance of 

 their duty, who cherish a noble spirit of enthusi- 

 asm for the business, and are ambitions to be- 

 come eminent as teachers ; let them be adequate- 

 ly remunerated and highly esteemed for their 

 work's sake, and our common schools shall be- 

 come fountains of intelligence, and one of the 

 most efficient instrumentalities in securing the 

 public weal. 



The Orphan Girl. 



Wilt ope thy door — wilt lliou ope thy door ? 



1 am an orphan child — 

 I've lost mv way 'mid hill and moor, 



And in the forest wild. 



Oh ! save me, sir. and Cod will bless 



Thy store a thousand fold ; 

 J know thou'lt guard the motherless 



When my sad tale is told. 



1 once was loved by parents dear 



And sisters at my side ; 

 But oh 1 they went I know not where — 



I'm told that they have died. 



They drove me from my f ither's home — 



They told mo f was poor — 

 And since thai day I've roved alone, 



And begged from door to door. 



The snow is drifting down the dale — 



The cold, cold night i> near ; 

 And wolf-like howls are on the gale — 



Oil ! save me, they are here ! 



The snow will be my winding sheet 



When piece meal I am riven ; 

 And falling dews (|Ol me shill weep 



When I have gone to heaven. 

 -Louisville Democrat. W, w. II. 





