Not to be taken as indices of proficiency.-Encourage deception.

of teachers. A man with tact, and without honesty. may make his school appear to far greater advantage than a better man can make a better school appear. This has often happened. It is not the most faithful and thorough teaching that makes the show and attracts the applause at a public exhibition. It is the superficial, mechanical, memoriter exercise that is most imposing. Who has not seen a class, that recited by rote and in concert at a celebration, win the largest approbation, when many of the individuals knew not the import of the words they uttered. Names in geography have been thus "said or sung," when the things signified were to the children as really terræ incognitæ as the fairy lands of Sinbad the Sailor.

2. Nor can such exhibitions be claimed justly to indicate the proficiency of the pupils. Every experienced teacher knows that the best scholars often fail at a public examination, and the most indolent and superficial often distinguish themselves. The spec tators, not unfrequently, in pointing out the talent of the school, make the teacher smile at their blunders.

3. They present a strong temptation to dishonesty on the part of the teacher. Since so much stress is laid upon the examination, and particularly, in some regions, upon the Celebration, where several schools are brought together to make a show for a few hours, it must be rather an uncommon man who will have sufficient principle to exhibit his school as it is, and refuse to make those efforts so very common to have

Preparation to make a show.-Sometimes useful.-When?

it appear what it is not. The wish, expressed or implied, of the parents, and the ambition of the children, all conspire to make the teacher yield to a usage so common. Consequently, several weeks will be spent to prepare the children to appear in public. During this time, they study not for improve ment, not for future usefulness, but simply to make a show at the public celebration. An unworthy and unwarrantable motive actuates them during all this process; and, at last, unless strangely benighted, they are conscious of holding up a false appearance to the world. Now, under such circumstances, whatever of good is effected, by way of enkindling a zeal in the parents, is dearly purchased. The sacrifice of principle in a teacher-much more in the children -is a large price to pay for the applause of a few visitors, or even for an increase of interest among them in the cause of popular education.

Examinations, however, which are less showy, and which are of such a character as thoroughly to sift the teachings that have been given, and to thwart any ingenious efforts specially to prepare for themexaminations that look back to the general teaching of the term, or the year, and test the accuracy and thoroughness of the instructions-are unquestionably very desirable and useful. To make them so in the highest sense, and to exempt them from an evil tendency upon the minds of the young themselves, the teacher should be strictly honest. Not a lesson should be given with sole reference to the exhibition

Great motives.-Further caution.-Teacher should be honest.

at the close; not an exercise should be omitted because the examination approaches. The good teacher should keep those great motives before the mind, which look to future usefulness, and to the discharge of duty. The child should be taught that he is accountable for what he acquires, and what he may acquire, and not for what he may appear to have acquired; and that this accountability is net confined to a single day, soon to pass and be forgotter; but it runs through all time and all eternity.

I know not but the expectation of an examination may stimulate some to greater exertion, and make them better scholars. If th. be so, it may be well enough; and yet I should be slow to present such a motive to the mind of a child, because a special or secondary accountability always detracts from the general and chief.

A strong reason, in addition to those already assigned, why special preparation should not be made for the examination, is, that where such preparation is ex pected, the pupils become careless in their ordinary

exercises.

While, then, I think too much stress is at present placed upon showy exhibitions and celebrations, and that objections and dangers attend examinations, as frequently conducted, I would not recommend altogether their discontinuance. I would rather urge that the teacher, by his inflexible honesty, should make them fair representations of the actual condition of his school, without relying very much upon them

Restrictions and limitations.-Profitable examinations.

as a means of stimulating the pupils to exertion, that the pupils should be made to feel that the results of their exertion through the term, rather than a few special efforts near its close, would be brought into review; that no hypocrisy or management should ever be tolerated, in order to win the applause of the multitude; that no particular lessons should ever be assigned for the occasion; that it should be remembered, that the moral effect of an occasional failure at examination, will be more salutary upon the school than unbroken success; and that the children are irreparably injured, when they are made in any way the willing instruments of false pretension.

Under such circumstances, examinations may be profitable to all concerned. If teacher and pupils have done well, they have the opportunity of showing it without violence to their own consciences. The employers, and patrons too, have some means of forming a correct estimate of the value of their school; and all parties may be encouraged and stimulated. But bove all things, LET THE TEACHER BE HONEST.

Talents in a clergyman.-Private character.

CHAPTER XI.

THE TEACHER'S RELATION TO THE PARENTS OF HIS

PUPILS.

IN the choice of a clergyman, after estimating his moral and religious character, and ascertaining the order of his pulpit talents, a third question remains to be an swered, viz:-What are his qualifications as a pastor? How is he adapted to fulfil the various relations of private friend and counsellor; and in the family circle, in his intercourse with the aged and the young, how is he fitted to

"Allure to brighter worlds and lead the way"?

In that sacred profession every one knows that nearly as much good is to be done by private intercourse as in the public ministration. Many a heart can be reached by a friendly and informal conversation, that would remain unmoved by the most powerful eloquence from the pulpit. Besides, many are prepared to be profited in the public exercises Dy that intercourse in private which has opened their hearts, removed prejudice, and engendered a feeling of friendly interest in the preacher. The admonitions of the gospel thus have the double power of being truth, and truth uttered by the lips of a valued friend,