Page:The collected works of Theodore Parker volume 7.djvu/213

Rh each youth and maiden as the schools leave him, moulding him to their image, or moulded by him to a better. So it is plain what the teachers are to do;—besides teaching the special branches which fall to their lot, they are to supply for the pupils tho defects of tho State, of the church, of business, and tho press, especially the moral defects. For this great work of mediating between tho mother and tho world, for so furnishing and fitting tho rising generation, introducing them into practical life, that they shall receive all tho good of these public educational forces with none of the ill, but enhance the one while they withstand the other, and so each in himself realize the idea of man, and all, in their social capacity, the idea of a democracy—it is also plain what sort of men wo need for teachers: we need able men, well endowed by nature, well disciplined by art; we need superior men—men juster than the State, truer and better than the churches, more humane than business, and higher than tho common literature of the press. There are always men of that stamp born into the world; enough of them in any age to do its work. How shall we bring them to the task? Give young men and women the opportunity to fit themselves for the. work, at free common schools, high schools, normal schools, and colleges; give them a pay corresponding to their services, as in England and Rome; give them social rank and honour in that proportion, and they will come: able men will come; men well disciplined will come; men of talent and even genius for education will come.

In the State you pay a man of great political talents large money and large honours; hence there is no lack of ability in politics, none of competition for office. In the church you pay a good deal for a "smart minister," one who can preach an audience into the pews and not himself out of the pulpit. Talent enough goes to business; educated talent, too, at least with a special education for theological schools often have powerful men for their professors and presidents; sometimes, men of much talent for education; commonly, men of ripe learning and gentlemanly accomplishments. Even men of genius seek a place as teachers in some private college, where they are under the control of the leaders of a sect—and must not doubt