The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. II., No. 10, September, 1836 — John Shaqi
The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. II., No. 10, September, 1836Various
General
The Southern Literary Messenger, Vol. II., No. 10, September, 1836
Various
American literature -- 19th century -- Periodicals
misdeeds, met by efficient support from the first, in every measure of
salutary discipline? A reformation however, in these momentous
particulars, is among the last things thought of, in regard to
schools, where, in countless instances, the limbs and bodies of the
pupils appear to be deemed much better worth training than their
hearts and souls. If the first and last lesson taught a child, before
it quits its home to be placed under other teachers, be, that the
admiration and applause of the world must be the chief objects of
pursuit, what success can the subsequent instructers possibly expect,
who venture to inculcate a different lesson? What hope can they
rationally entertain of substituting the love of wisdom and virtue—the
fear of sin, and the holy desire of pleasing our Maker in all things,
for the passions of pride, vanity, and ambition, sucked in almost with
the mother's milk? Would it do to acquiesce so far in this primary
instruction, as to tell the pupils that they must cherish these
passions, but beware how they direct them? Would not such prescription
be quite on a par in folly with granting a child inclined to
drunkenness, liberty to drink every day to the point of intoxication,
or with exposing ono who had any other vicious propensity, to
opportunities of indulging it? The truth is, that if children are
turned over immediately from the parent's to the teacher's hands, with
passions rarely or never restrained—vicious inclinations and wills
unsubdued—stubbornness, idleness, and insubordination habitually
indulged, the tutor who attempts their correction has scarcely a
possible chance of success. The very first serious effort would
probably soon cause the removal of such pupils, who would be almost
sure to complain, and would as surely be believed; for parents who
spoil their children, are, most unfortunately, often found to confide
in their veracity just in proportion as they should distrust it. But
should the teacher's efforts to reform, fail to produce
misrepresentations to the parents, they would usually be met by some
such remonstrance as the following:—My father and mother never used to
care about such things, and why should _you_? What right have _you_ to
condemn and forbid that which _they_ suffered to pass unnoticed, and
therefore, probably approved? Is the prospect any better, when there
is no chance of appeal from the tutor's authority, nor of improper
interference from such parents or guardians as have neither sense nor
experience to know what is best for the children? It certainly _ought
to be_, provided the instructers were well qualified for their
offices. But alas! _they too_ are often equally unfit, either from
temper, ignorance, or subservience to the prevalent follies,
prejudices, or culpable practices of the time present. If those whom
it seems their interest to please, happen to be wrong-headed—unsettled
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