John Lancaster Spalding

Opportunity and Other Essays and Addresses John Lancaster Spalding

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 edition. Excerpt: ... should be able to associate the memory of this fair time of spiritual growth with all that is pure, fragrant, and inspiring; for, should the experience of those early years make it impossible to believe in the surpassing worth of culture, they inevitably become the victims of arrested development, and lead a stunted existence. In a family in which the spirit of cheerfulness reigns there is peace and happiness; each one finds his task and performs it gladly. The school is a larger family. If the masters are harsh and morose, the pupils discouraged, the school is bad. The effectiveness of school methods depends upon the character of the teacher. If he lack intelligence and individuality, they become mechanical devices in which the pupils can take but a mechanical interest. Rules and laws are of little use to those who have not been brought up to desire and love the guidance of law. He who is grounded in faith in the principle of law will become a good man, a good Christian, a good citizen; and nothing else will make him so. Faith in the principle of law is faith in God. If we form true men, the rest will form and reform itself. Schools where many things are taught, but where will, courage, seriousness, love of truth, great-mindedness, and respect and reverence for all that is high and holy are not cultivated, are institutions of perversion rather than of education. Let the teacher leave nothing undone to make brave, honest, chaste, unenvious men and women, even though they fail in scholarship. If conscience is not sovereign, it is nothing. " Moral education," says Kant, " should begin, not with reformation of conduct, but with renovation of thought and formation of character." Whatever may help to make a man is the teacher's business. In him...