Lectures, Discussions, and Proceedings Volume 28 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1858 edition. Excerpt: ...poison. By multiplying these selffeeding lamps, so purged, might finally become the general moral atmosphere, that the infected localities, now perilous to youth, would be enveloped in, and disinfected by, the universality of good air. Only through youth can this purgation be wrought, and that, by bringing to bear on the young all the possible forces of education. My friends, with just cause we rejoice in the rapid development and practical success of our public schools. But even greater cause of joy than is found in present fruits have they, who on that success build a higher hope, and believe, that our system of public instruction is yet in its infancy. In it there is latent an inexhaustible power of beneficence, strong and wide enough to embrace all the angelic legions of youth. The nucleus out of which can be evolved a complete apparatus of education, --as complete in the breadth of its application as in the perfection of its details, -we have in our Normal Schools, Institutions which, without being overbold, I will call the most productive in the State, and which therefore we cannot too cordially cherish. Teachers, as well as poets and artists, are born. In laying the deep foundations for an ultimate harmonious society, Nature supplies in fitting measure the educators of youth. Make these schools-for the education of teachers what they may be and ought to be, and into them you will attract those who feel themselves to be thus organically endowed. Like waters through the earth's bosom to a mountain spring, thither will they silently travel, and sparkle there, to issue thence in streams of pellucid life to the expectant fields where sprout the open, glad, soul-born wants of youth. It seems a deplorable fact, that few parents are...