1826

ally and intellectually, hail the day of durable prosperity
such aa can only exist in communities educated and enlight-
ened.

Upon the teachers, into whose hands these By-Laws will be
placed, and to whose duties they refer, a solemn responsibil-
ity rests. After the school authorities have done all that de-
volves upon them, the full success of the work depends upon
the teachere. Encourage them to enter upon their work as
a sacred mission. They deal with a tender mind and con-
science. They impart ideas of right and wrong which will
remain through life. Thoughts impressed in early childhood
are never erased. Habits of system, neatness and courtesy,
may be found at school. The teacher has the plastic wax and
may mould it at his will. Thus the daily routine duties of
class and school room work give the teacher power. It is the
province of the commissioner and of the visitor, to see that
so great power be exercised for the greatest attainable good.
Therefore no immorality or negligence, or even rudeness, is
to be tolerated. The teacher must not only instruct properly
but live properly. In school and out of school the example
must be good, that the dignity of the vocation of teaching
may be preserved, youth trained in the paths of virtue and
knowledge, and become a comfort to their parents, a credit
to their preceptors and, in process of time, an honor to the
State.

To this end we labor. To this the Superintendent, with
all the energy he possesses, will devote his thoughts and time.
He feels the importance of his position. He regards it as a
noble mission. He commences determined to work on, not
discouraged by opposition, not dismayed by obstacles; not dis-
heartened by misrepresentations, but fully convinced with
perfect faith, that in process of time success will crown our
efforts, and under the wise guidance of the able State Board
of Education, with the aid of liberal minded and earnest
commissioners a system of Public instruction will be devel-
oped for Maryland equal to the best in any State of the na-
tion.

L. VAN BOKKELEN,

State Sup. Pub. Inst.
Baltimore, October, 1865.