Rensselaer Republican, Volume 13, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 February 1881 — One Days Work In School. [ARTICLE]

One Days Work In School.

CoXTHiMITCU. Primary acbools are t b'.pe and pri lo ot our country, lienee tiie iiiipurtence of improving our -elves se t,-a. here. The person who sasutuee the pamitiun us does that in whicli ignorance of the re. poll a. ibilitiea aantimed, is a sin. TLs leecher ia n-sponsible to some extent for tbe bodily health of lhe child, fur iu intellectual development and for iu religious training. And by religious training I do nut refer to a^ctari,ni-ui, for 1 think no teacher bas the to crowd bis peculiar notiuna of theology upon tbe pupils under hie care. But iher •. ia a common ground he can occupy aud no reasonable tuau object. He can teach a revureuce for the aupri-na* being, lie can leach the evil of sin and iu woeful consequences upou hum ility, if nut in exprea<K*d words, his lite and vxainple should leech this. But wnhcul the aid <>f bume influence up -n tue winds of the pupile, the teacher elotie cau do little. That which a child i» allow-ed tu d>« at Uuiue it w.U >je tucliuol to do at aciiool. Ibis fact often gives the teaoiier iroubh-und makre the uveui the ruu a neces.-ity. But let us feel thankful tba. inc dark age. us .ehuul w<>tk are pareiiq away, ana a bright morn ia auvnncinp. iu which, i>j the cuiibcM ucy us patrons ui the aon./uls, giving eo-..»tont < mploymeu to tho pupil., and by the introduction u| the best u.ctbu<lstLe acu.« at aumers, in uv<r efforts, may be attciued. Child.en r as a rule are beller g*>v<rned i.y kind wuide- and genikmanners than by the iasii. Ua-v tng had a brief experience in to-ciirog 1 shati give a short sketch us one days Work in the school rejin. * We enter the doer; all ia eih nt tave the T oico of tbe wind sigh ng tor .-ugh tho boug >s of the trees near the house, and, unbidden, ending evry crack and crevice. FLvl build.a fire which, crackling aud sparkling •it. the hearth driven out loneeoosrnero. After dusting the room and putting all in order you seat yourself with book in hand, for ; a few moments of study. But your nausings are soon aroused by voices. Ths door opMewith “g<x> 4 . merging teacher". Ntasfi

•'clack eosses, tbe bell rings and tbe day’s work begins in earnest. leek face is frosh, each mind vigorous skd ready for study or aiisebief as tho ease may bo. Tour pkas and ysur oomsmado must be obeyed. The geaeral eiercises, vix. ringing, readings chapter and offering an hnwbte prayer for stre gih during tbe day, ever, tbo tret rocttatiou is called. Souse are loaming their letters rapidly, while others are at a stand still. It seetno almeot impossible to lx in tboir mindsaay idea of study or of nwmory. We resolve that thia is ths moot diflkult branch in the school an 1 excuse die class with a sigh, wondering wbatwe can do toasois I therein their next recitation. Tbe next cl are ia tbe First rea-ler. Each useaber ts doing well. They have learned to spell, pronounce, to print, to count and boot, of all. to be proud of whet they do know, evincing an anxiety to learn snore, which keeps up t ho intersst nnd each recitaliuo gives pleasure to yourself and the class. Thus wo proceed through the different grades of reading, observing the quick perception of one, pronunciation of an other, giving directions and criticisimv as needed. After reading, penatnoahip follows, and then coinoe recons. The remaining boon are occupied by recitation in history, grammar, goograpy, arithmetic physiology and orthography and tbe days wotk is almost to a close before we are aware st it. Soon all have de;>art*d for tbeir homes leevieg us in solitude. Now our thoughts are on tbe duties of tho day just past. Have we accomplished any thing of importance? Have our pupils made noy advancttneni? Has the days labor proved successful? With these meditations wo resolve that tomorrow will find us at our more determined than ever to prove oursolve, worthy nf the vocation we neve chueen. Tbe teacher bas his trials and troubles, while his small compensation, in most places,, is far below that of employes in other ocupatiene. Yet he has his hopes and his encouragements. Ho has ths conscious' ness of being engaged ia a useful and honor* ablo ealling. Thon let no tencher repine nt bis lot, but slud; to improve himself Intel* lectualy and mordly. Let him strive to advasce in the art of teaching. Let him watch tbe growth of mind under bis culture and take the encouragement which that affords. Lot him consider the usefulness whish he may attain and the causea which make hia calling honorable. Let bhn prise the grautndo of his ’ pupils* their parents and triends, and above all, let him value the approval of high heaven and set a proper estimaln upon the rewards which another world will unfold to him. Thus encouraged, be may toil ou in fait! * fulness and hope till, having laiu down tho srmor be shall meet multitudes instructed by his wieo precepts, and prof.ted by his pure example, who sbnil rise up and call bim blessed. Subscribe for the RappsMCAit. It contains twice the reading i net tor of any papnr in the county.