y reminding them of his compassion and tenderness, his
infinite wisdom and power, let him inspire them with love and reverence
for his name. Envy and jealousy he will see prominent in the character
of his fairest pupils: let him show that the heart was not made for such
feelings; that, if they are nurtured there, no room will be found for
noble and generous sentiments. Quarrels will occur in which blows will
be dealt lustily: a few simple illustrations will prove that force is a
dangerous and imperfect arbiter of justice. If unhappily falsehood
prevails, let him make haste to supplant a habit, so fearful and
pernicious, though every thing else be laid aside. Let him show the
great inconvenience a man must experience in whose word no confidence
can be reposed. The fable of the shepherd-boy who gave false alarms to
the distant workmen of the approach of wolves, so that when the wolves
really came his cries were in vain, will show that lying is unprofitable
in the end. But his chief object should be to exhibit the moral
turpitude of the habit,--the facility with which it leads to deeper
guilt,--the manifold evils which it engenders in the community; and thus
to impress upon the minds of his pupils a sacred regard for truth.
Such, it might seem, would be the course which a high-minded and zealous
teacher would pursue in imparting moral instruction. But, whatever be
his method, it is quite certain that a successful performance of his
duty in this respect implies great capacity. Extensive learning will not
be a sufficient qualification. An accurate and comprehensive knowledge
of the sciences may have given vigor to his mind; he may be familiar
with the classic pages of Thucydides and Homer, Horace and Livy; he may
be versed in the philosophy of history, and yet lack in the essential
elements of his art. He must possess native talent, a clear insight of
human character, agreeable address, extemporaneous powers of speech. He
must be a clear-thinking, conscientious, practical man; and it will be
impossible for him to fail in his undertaking. Such a teacher will win
the respect and esteem of his pupils: they will imitate his example, and
cherish his counsel.

Now, the inquiry will naturally be made if the teachers of common
schools have these qualifications. There are some who are thus
qualified. They are those who in other professions would rise to
eminence by the zeal and ability with which they now advance our youth
in intelle