Medford Historical Society Papers, Volume 3.

[p. 141] all the commands & wishes of the teacher.—Failing to recieve this you fail of every thing.—If this object can be attained by moral suasion—by an appeal not to fear,— but to the nobler faculties of the mind, and of the soul— By presenting to the mind of the child the right and the wrong in in the case—And inducing him to secure the happiness which springs from the one—and escape the misery consequent upon the other it is well. But failing here—and as a last resort, recours must be had to the rod.—For lips touched by inspiration have said—that sparing it, you spoil the child. On this subject however your Com are enabled with satisfaction to say, that our schools are constantly yielding to this principle of wholesome discipline.—And that the cases where corporeal punishment has been resorted to—are decreasing in the full ratio of that—submission

2. In the second place we notice uniform & prompt attendance as highly important to the success of our schools.

The irregular scholar is not only retarded in his own progress (beyond his actual loss of time) But stands in the way of others—Breaking up the classes—Deranging the order of the school—Increasing the labours of the teacher–And thus curtailing the opportunities of others—and doing an injury to every other member of the School.

In this particular however there has during the past year, been an evident improvement.—And we recommend to every parent & guardian of youth—not to loose sight of this subject, untill—the evil is fully remedied.

3. we next call your attention to the importance of persevering application—No child should be allowed to hold a book in his hand, and not us it—Half lounge, & half study half work & half play, will never make a good scholar, or an exemplary man. Let parents— Teachers—Friends of education—All—Impress upon the minds of youth this truth.