USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Wilmington > Town of Wilmington Annual Report 1860-1887 > Part 8
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It may be said that these views are very general, and quite too lofty to be brought into a school report. It may be said that a retired community like our own can have no such important relation to the country at large.
Bnt we believe it to be far otherwise. We believe that every town in New England, and in fine, throughout the land, however small, should keep right before it, just such great con-
18
siderations as these, in all that is done, or proposed, for the support of the public school system. We do desire that every voter in this town should remember, when he is called to act, now or at any future time, with regard to the common schools of our own town, that he is acting for or against popular educa- tion, the education of the masses in our whole country. And in doing that, he is either building up the nation, or pulling it down. There is no escaping this result.
Having said this much, we will not here go into any lengthy discussion of particular measures for the promotion of educa- tion in this town. Our views on the subject of abolishing the district system and consolidating some of our districts are well known. They have been strongly urged in previous reports Suffice it to say, that they are the views of all the best educators. We need but to mention the names of such men as Horace Mann, Governor Boutwell, Dr. Sears, and the present able Sec- retary of the Board of Education, Mr. White. And besides, we have the experience of scores of towns situated precisely as we are, which have done away with the district system, brought scattered districts together, built new and modern school houses, and as the result, have taken a new start, not only in educational matters, but in a business andpecuniary prosperity. We are of the number of those who believe that, by uniting thus the smaller, contiguous neighborhoods in one good, graded school, though some may have farther to send, yet there is a vast and decided gain on the whole. A good school with a higher department, a little farther off, is better than an inferior and shorter school, just at one's door. It is better for the remote families. Their property will in a short time rise to a higher value. It is better for the growth and pecuniary standing of any town, where such schools are taking the place of the more numerous, but smaller and poorer schools and school houses. Population will be much more likely to be drawn to a town where such things are done, or being done. Very many instan- ces could be readily cited, where this growth in population and increase in the valuation of real estate has followed such im- provements.
19
Let only a right public sentiment exist here, on this subject ; let there be a due estimation of the cause of education at large, and the influence which every single community exerts on the entire republic ; let there be ever a keen foresighted regard for the growth of the town and the higher value of real estate, not simply in one part of the town, but ultimately in the whole town, and we have no doubt the citizens will take such action now and hereafter, as they will have no reason to regret,
We close our report by alluding to the condition of the schools in town during the past year.
The West, under the care of Miss Hellen Williams, of Stone- ham, was brought to a close sooner than the others, because the number of scholars was so small, being reduced to about half-a- dozen, Under these circumstances the teacher could not ac- complish all that she otherwise would have done. There are now so few scholars in this district that all must be convinced that it is a waste of money to continue the school in its present form.
The South School has labored under great hindrances on ac- count of the dilapidated and utterly miserable state of the school house. It certainly is in no respect suitable to be used as a school house. Taking all things into consideration, it is wonderful that Miss Bancroft was so successful. She was very patient and faithful, familiar with the studies taught, and, had there been a more ready spirit of co-operation on the part of some of the older scholars, the advancement would have been much greater.
During the past year a new school house has been erected in the North district. It is a beautiful building, commodious and attractive, inside and out. Much credit is due to all concerned for the generous and public spirited manner in which the enter- prise was carried forward from beginning to end. As the result of these efforts, there is a great deal of interest felt in all the north part of the town on the subject of education, and the im- portance of providing all necessary facilities for a first class school. And such they have had during the past year. The same may be said respecting the schools in the East and Centre
20
districts, with the exception, in the latter district, of a few weeks in the autumn.
Such teachers as Miss Hattie Nichols, (now Mrs. Benson,) · the Misses Eames and Miss Wood, of long experience in teach- ing, are an invaluable blessing to any school and any town. It was a real pleasure to visit their schools, whether upon the com- mon working days, or at the close.Excellent order, interest in- study, thoroughness of drill, accuracy in teaching and in learn- ing, a good degree of sub-soiling, going down into the reasons of things characterized these schools. Seldom if ever have we at- tended such examinations as have just now followed each other in the North, East and Centre Schools. We advise all parents and friends to be in the habit of attending the examinations of their schools ; and not the examinations alone, but the ordinary exercises during term time as well. They will know then what the schools really are, and will be led to sympathize more fully with the teachers. They will see, too, the absolute necessity, and we would add the economy, of having just as good teacher as we can obtain. But as any extended remarks on the impor tance of parents visiting the schools will not be likely, judging of the past, to produce much effect, we forbear.
We might say of the West and Centre school houses what we have said of the South, that they are poor and unhealthy, as well as unsightly, buildings, and have long since seen their best days.
Respectfully submitted,
S. H. TOLMAN, S. CARTER, Jr.
Superintending Com.
Wilmington, Feb. 15, 1869.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES
OF THE
TOWN OF WILMINGTON,
FROM FEB. 1, 1869, TO FEB. 1, 1870,
AND THE
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE,
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR 1869-70.
BOSTON: PRINTED BY SARGENT & LAWRENCE, 57 CONGRESS STREET, 1870.
REPORT.
REPORT OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
NAMES AND AGES OF THE INMATES OF THE ALMSHOUSE.
Betsy Tweed,
84 years.
Nancy Alexander,
81
66
Frederick Butters,
74 66
Lucy Alexander,
66
Louisa Burtt,
65
66
Elbridge Butters,
64 66
Albert Carter,
50
66
Fanny Butters,
29
66
John Bancroft,
27
66
Whole number,
9
Average number,
9
Number of lodgers,
140
meals,
350
EXPENSE AT THE ALMSHOUSE.
To cash paid for flour and grain,
$195 52
66 groceries,
200 14
fresh meat,
100 73
66 66
salt pork,
80 78
66
fresh and salt fish, 35 75
66
66 dry goods, 40 88
Amount carried forward, $653 80
4
Amount brought forward, To cash paid for farming tools,
$653 80
4 83
66
grass and other seeds, 11 05
snuff and tobacco,
16 49
66 medicines,
8 17
66
boots and shoes,
11 30
66 66
soap,
7 33
2 00
66
blacksmith and wheel-
wright's bill, 18 08
horse hire and car fare,
12 50
60
labor employed,
10 00
66
2 shoats,
25 50
66
apples, cider, and vinegar, 11 15
vegetables, 3 05
66 glass, tin, and iron ware, 18 45
66
paint and brush,
4 00
66
66
baker's bread, 6 54
newspaper and stationery, 2 00
miscellaneous, 6 70
shingles, and repairs on barn, 21 38
sawing shingles, 19 50
66 salary of superintendent, 200 00
- -
$1,073 82
CREDIT.
By three calves sold, $31 50
" cash rec'd for keeping peddlers,
32 50
66 66 " produce sold, 8 10
" labor of superintendent and team,
88 90
" cash for board, 66 butter, 54 90
30 50
" lard, eggs, and milk,
7 30
Amounts carried forward.
$253 70 $,1073 82
spirituous liquors,
5
Amounts brought forward,
$253 70 $1,073 82 4 08
By berries,
" wood, 4 50
" old junk, " lumber, 6 50
3 94
272 72
Net expenses at Almshouse, $801 10
EXPENSES OF POOR OUT OF ALMSHOUSE.
Goods furnished Jas. Bonds, $37 55
Wood 66
20 75
Meat 66 66
14 12
Medical attendance, 15 75
$88 17
Burial expenses of Reuben But-
ters, $20 00
Rev. J. P. Cleveland, attending funeral,
5 00
Medical attendance,
5 00
-- $30 00
Surgical and medical attendance
upon I. S. Butters : -
Dr. John M. Harlow,
$41 00
" S. A. Toothaker, 20 00
" F. Wisner, 6 00
" A. H. Cowdry,
5 00
- -
$72 00
Meat furnished E. Butters,
1 10
Medical attendance for stranger, 1 00
$192 27
Net expenses in and out of Almshouse, $993 37
LEMUEL C. EAMES, Overseers THOMAS P. EAMES, of the WARREN EAMES, Poor.
WILMINGTON, February, 1870.
-
6
SELECTMEN'S REPORT.
Orders drawn for expense of the Poor, $993 37 Paid W. H. Carter, services as Town Clerk, $15 00
" making record of births and deaths and return of same, 10 25
" receipt book, 1 00
$26 25
" Lemuel C. Eames, as Selectman, Assessor, and Overseer of Poor, 80 00
" Thomas P. Eames, do., do., do., 70 00
" Warren Eames, do., do., do., 65 00
66 66 Treasurer and Col-
lector, 100 00
" Samuel B. Nichols, as Constable, 20 00
Rev. S. H. Tolman,
Sylvester Carter, Jr., Committee,
School 39 50
66 William H. Carter,
66 for auditing Treasurer's account, 11 00
" S. B. Nichols, Superintendent Cem- etery, 5 00
" S. B. Nichols, return of deaths to Town Clerk, 1 40
" S. B. Nichols, care of town-house, 10 00
" wood, 6 50
" oil, 10 36
" stove and funnel, 7 05
$452 06
Amount carried forward,
$1,445 43
7
Amount brought forward, $1,445 43
EXPENSE OF ROADS AND BRIDGES.
Paid for lumber for Bucks' Bridge, $50 25
" D. P. Brigham, for labor and materials, 16 48
" D. B. Brigham, for labor and materials on Shausheen Bridge, 13 74
" Superintendent of the Poor, for - labor of self and team, 18 00
" A. P. Pearson, for building road near W. E. Gowing,$594 00
" for advertising, 2 00
596 00
Less amount paid Salem and Lowell Railroad, 298 00
298 00
$396 47
SURVEYORS OF HIGHWAYS.
Paid Sylvester Carter, for 1868,
$43 00
J. B. Morris, 18 20
James K. Pearson, 3 90
Simeon Jacquith, 4 00
" Noah Clapp, 5 20
" C. P. Areny, for gravel, 2 10
$76 40
COMMITTEE FOR APPRAISING SCHOOL DISTRICT
PROPERTY.
Paid H. B. Nichols,
$5 00
Noah Clapp, 5 00
" Rich Carter, 5 00
" Otis C. Buck, 5 00
" H. Allen Sheldon, 5 00
$25 00
Amount carried forward,
$1,943 30
8
Amount brought forward,
$1,943 30
SCHOOLS.
Appropriation by the Town, $1,000 00
Rec'd from the State School Fund, 126 94
Unexpended balance of School Fund, 1868, 90.51
$1,217 45
EXPENSES OF SCHOOLS.
Paid teacher, for North School, $216 00
" for wood, 15 00
" blackboard, curtains,
etc.,
21 39
$252 39 Paid teacher, for Centre School, $225 00
" for wood, 16 69
" " repairing clock, 1 40
$243 09
Paid teacher, for West School, $203 50
" for wood, 15 75
" " furniture,
3 64
$222 89
Paid teacher, for East School, $204 00
" for wood, 15 31
« " stove-pipe, etc., 3 55
$222 86
Paid teacher, for South School, $199 50
for wood, 14 33
$213 83
$1,155 06
Amount carried forward, $3,098 36
9
Amount brought forward, $3,098 36
REPAIRS OF SCHOOL-HOUSES.
ON THE CENTRE.
Materials,
$97 02
D. P. Brigham's bill,
100 16
Mason's bill,
16 50
$213 68
ON THE WEST.
William H. Putnam's bill,
$20 10
D. H. Brigham's bill, 9 52
$29 62
ON THE SOUTH.
D. P. Brigham's bill, $21 06
$264 36
MISCELLANEOUS.
Printing town reports,
$28 00
surveyor's lists,
5 00
Materials and repairing hay-scales,
8 25
Printing assessors' notices,
2 00
For two locks,
1 81
Express fees and stationery,
8 30
Books furnished teachers' desks,
4 85
66 indigent children,
2 73
T. P. Eames' bill, labor,
3 00
$63 94
Amount carried forward, 2 w 1
$3,426 66
10
Amount brought forward, $3,426 66
ABATEMENT OF TAXES.
Abated on list of 1866 and 1867 to S. H.
Tolman, illegally assessed, $70 26
Abated on list of 1868, 7 40 4 .1869, 17 66
$95 32
Amount of State Aid paid to the widows and orphans of deceased soldiers, and of those partially disabled in the service : -
Stephen Frye,
$72 00
Samuel Dustin,
36 00
Widow Mary A. Phelps,
96 00
66 Mary Ann Chapman,
96 00
Daniel R. Upton, guardian',
48 00
Widow Ambrose Upton,
96 00
Phebe F. Simpson,
40 00
Willie R. Butters,
36 00
$520 00
$4,041 98
LEMUEL C. EAMES, THOMAS P. EAMES, Wilmington.
WILMINGTON, February, 1870.
Selectmen of WARREN EAMES,
11
EQUALIZATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY VALUATION.
North District,
$2,000 85
East District,
850 00
Centre District,
615 00
West District,
348 00
South District,
132 00
$3,945 85
RATE OF TAXATION.
233 polls, at $2.94 each.
Rate per cent. on estates 68 cts. per 100 dollars.
TAX REMITTED TO THE SEVERAL DIS- TRICTS.
East District, $850 37
Rate of remittance, 48 polls, $2.95
" per cent. on estates, 61 cts. per $100.
Centre District, 612 50
Rate of remittance, 44 polls,
$2.32
per cent. on estates, 50 cts. per $100.
West District, 349 85
Rate of remittance, 26 polls, $2.23
per cent. on estates, 51 cts. per $100.
South District, 134 16
Rate of remittance, 42 polls, $0.52
" per cent. on estates, 13 cts. per $100. Amount carried forward, $1,946 88
12
Amount brought forward, $1,946 88 North District, 392 15
Rate of remittance, 63 polls, $1.02
per cent. on estates, 26 cts. per $100.
Debt and Interest of North District, to Sept. 1, 1869, paid, $1,612 27
$3,951 30
STATEMENT OF SCHOOL BOOKS.
Purchased by School Committee, with the value of those on hand.
Amount on hand at last settlement, $74 30
Purchased during the season, 59 32
$133 62
Cr. by number furnished desks, $6 42
66
indi-
gent children, 2 73
" books on hand, 61 58
$70 73
$62 89
Commissions for selling,
7 20 - $55 69
14
DR. 1870. WARREN EAMES, TREASURER AND COLLECTOR,
Feb. To cash on hand in former set- tlement, $2,087 90
" bal. due on tax list, 1867-8, 256 72
" tax list of 1869, committed, 6,297 78
" cash received for town notes
issued, 1,500 00
66
66
from the State, on acc.St.Aid, 778 08
66
on acc. Corpo- ration Tax,
91 75
66
66
on acc. State
School Fund, 126 94
6 6
for int. on taxes,
57 03
66
for lot in cem- etery, 9 00
66
on acc. books, . 26 72
from Salem & Low. R.R. Co.,
298 00
66
66
of the Town of
Tewksbury, 12 75
66
of C. L. Carter,
for old school- house, 50 00
from S.B.Nich-
ols, on acc. books, 33 40
" to tax list committed for equalizing School District property, less the amount remitted to the tax-payers, 1,620 54
$13,246 61 -
Amount of overplus money in the hands of the Treasurer, from sales of real es- tate, sold for unpaid taxes, $65 00
15
IN ACC. WITH THE TOWN OF WILMINGTON. 1870. CR. Feb. By cash paid sundry notes of the town, $2,113 00
town orders,
4,279 64
66 int. on town debt, 702 79
66
State Tax,
1,475 00
1
County Tax,
600 47
on acc. school fund,
21 63
North School debt,
1,612 27
By balance due on tax list, 1868, 3 51
66 " 1869,
431 37
By cash in treasury,
2,006 93
$13,246 61
We, the undersigned, duly authorized by the town, have this day examined the above account of Warren Eames, Treasurer, and find the same correctly cast and sufficiently vouched for, and that there is due from him to the town two thousand and six 92 dollars.
C. L. CARTER, LEMUEL C. EAMES, Committee. WM. H. CARTER,
16
LIABILITIES OF THE TOWN.
Note to High School Associates, May 3, 1867, $60 00
Mrs. Lavinia A. Avery, June 29, 1867, 100 00
Benjamin Buck, May 1, 1866,
2,000 00
J. L. Carter, May 1, 1863,
1,500 00
Rich Carter, May 26, 1866, 800 00
Mrs. Polly Parker, March 23, 1865, 138 00
Levi and Ward Parker, Executors, April 4, 1865, balance, 426 46
Abigail Burnap, May 1, 1865, 500 00
Moses Pearson, Aug. 10, 1865,
2,000 00
Darius Buck, Aug. 9, 1865,
600. 00
Nathan E. Buck, May 14, 1866,
300 00
Lucy T. Avery, May 6, 1868, 200 00
Sarah J. Buck, June 1, 1868,
200 00
Levi and Ward Parker, Executors, June, 1868, 1,050 00
Otis C. Buck, April 20, 1869, 500 00.
Amount unexpended of State School Fund,
61 39
Due Surveyors of Highways,
175 60
$10,611 45
Due Superintendent of Poor Farm,
200 00
$10,811 45
AVAILABLE ASSETS.
Cash in hands of Treasurer, $2,006 93
Balance due on tax bill, 1868 and '69, 434 88
Amount due from the State for money
advanced on acc't of State aid, 535 00
$2,976 81
Total amount of indebtedness over available assets, $7,834 64
STATISTICS FROM TOWN CLERK'S RECORDS. BIRTHS REGISTERED IN WILMINGTON, 1869.
No.
Name of Child.
Names of Parents.
Date of Birth.
3 w
1
* Mary H. Clark,
Geo. Howard and H. L. Clark,
March 13, 1869.
2
Hiram Dexter Pearson,
James K. and Ellen M.,
Aug. 19, “
3
Nettie F. Batcheller,
James II. and Mary E.,
Sept. 9,
4
Eldora E. Frost,
Wm. A. and Phebe E.,
27,
5
Willie F. Gowing,
Jona. H. and May J., Oct.
1,
17
6
Sarah A. Carter,
James O. and Elizabeth R.,
Dec.
15,
27,
7
Horace and Susan C.,
II. Allen and Catharine,
31,
8
Lizzie Temple Sheldon,
* Born out of wedlock.
DEATHS REGISTERED IN WILMINGTON, 1869.
No.
Date of Death.
Name of Deceased.
Age.
Condition.
Place of Birth.
· Names of Parents.
Disease or Cause of Death.
1868. 1 Aug. 3, Rhoda Sannders,
63y.
10d. Married,
Tewksbury,
John and Elizabeth Heart Complaint.
2
23, Mary F. Brackett,
56y. 10m.
Benjamin French,
1869.
G8y.
11m.
10d.
Wilmington,
John and Sally,
3 Jan. S. JJoseph Bell, 4 Mar. 3, Jacob Eames,
66y.
9m.
5
" 31, Sylvania Eames,
37y.
4m. 1m.
25d. Single,
Boston,
L. Clark.
31y.
1m.
3d. Widow,
New York city, Wilmington,
Win. and Lucy Butters. Erysipelas.
9 June 19. Wm. E. Richardson,
31y.
6m.
Single,
Horace and Susan C.,
Scarlet Fever.
10
20, Snsie M. Sheldon,
y.
5m. 22d.
Samnel and Lucy,
Consumption.
12
26, Samuel Dustin,
37y.
Married,
Thornton, N. H. Richard E. and Deb- orah,
Barnard and Susan,
Fits.
23y.
9m.
Married,
Henry and Sylvania Fever. Buck,
Herbert and Sarah J., Cholera Infantum.
17, Willie F. Gowing, 15
16 Dec. 20, Timothy Brigden,
173y.
Married, Lynn, Mass.,
Z. Brigden,
Dropsy.
18
S
May 3. Harriet A. Swain, " 17, Lucy Butters,
76y.
66
David and Eliza K ..
Consumption.
Sept. 2, Oliver Buck,
59y.
Suicide by Strangula- tion.
13 " 22, James McEnroc, 14 Oct. 5, Adelaide Miller,
)y. 11m.
18d. Single,
South Reading, Wilmington,
Wm. and Rnth,
Jacob and Cynthia.
Erysipelas. Consumption.
Geo. Howard andHI. Cholera Infantum.
6 Apr. 13, Mary H. Clarke,
Wm. and Sarah Ames, Consumption.
French,
66
and Lydia Consumption.
17d. Single,
MARRIAGES REGISTERED IN WILMINGTON, 1869.
o
Date of Marriage.
Names of Groom and Bride.
Age.
Residence.
Occupation of Groom,
Place of Birth.
Names of Parents.
1 Jan. 14,
George Hearne, Frances F. Plerec,
25 22
Wilmington,
Cordwainer,
Andover, Provincetown,
2
George H. Hayward, Mary E. Parker,
22
North Reading, Wilmington,
Farmer,
North Reading,
Jeremlah and Martha. Edward II. and Frances Walker. Andrew and Salome. Oliver and Lydia.
8 April 6,
Hiram Bancroft, Hannah M. Hull,
61 48
Farmer,
Reading,
Jonathan and Sophia. David and Betsy Bolce.
4 July 2,
James H. Swaln, Catherine Tucker,
19
26 26
Wakefield, Peterboro', N. H.,
Butcher,
Wilmington, Peterboro', N. H.,
Joshua and Clarisa. Robert and Lydia.
6
Edward Blanchard, Sarah K. Holt,
33 21
Andover, Wilmington,
Painter,
Andover, Wilmington,
Joshna and Eliza. Timothy B. and Mary Ann.
7 Nov. 18,
Lemnel H. Eames, Helen Eames,
22
31 Andover, Wilmington,
Butcher,
66
Lemuel C. and Catherine. Jonathan and SophronlaO.
19
39
Butcher,
Concord,
Levl and Phebe. Franklin, Co., N. Y., Isaac and Lonisa.
13,
Horace Gowing, Louisa Day,
22
20
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF
WILMINGTON, 1869-70.
THE General Statutes require that "the School Committee shall annually make a detailed report of the condition of the several public schools, which report shall contain such state- ments and suggestions in relation to the schools as the Com- mittee deem necessary or proper to promote the interests thereof." In accordance with this requirement, your Com- mittee have presented a report each year upon the condition of the schools, and have from time to time made such sugges- tions as they thought the good of the schools demanded. It is true that these suggestions have not always been adopted, or, in some instances, been received with the courtesy which is due to the report of a public officer of the town. It is always expected, of course, that any recommendation of the School Committee will be thoroughly discussed, and adopted or rejected, as shall seem good to the majority of voters in town; but it would seem hardly just or generous that the views of a school officer, who has had charge of the schools in town for years, and been kept in office against his wishes, should be criticised as proceeding from extravagant notions, from a desire to favor one part of the town above another, or from a reckless disposition to plunge the town into debt. The Chairman of your Committee has served the town now for these many years, doing nearly the whole work, for a compensation wholly inadequate; not without the con-
21
sciousness of much imperfection, nor as he would have been glad to do, had the weightier cares and duties of the ministry not pressed upon him. but, nevertheless, to the best of his ability under all the circumstances. And he can sincerely say that no one has had the interests of the common schools of Wilmington, in every section of the town, more at heart, has felt more deeply the vast influence they are exerting, or labored more zealously, or with purer motives, to devise and carry forward those measures, and those only, which in his judgment would tend to make them most efficient.
No one can have an official connection with the schools in any place, or study their character and influence for any length of time, without being more and more impressed with their importance, more and more drawn out in his feelings toward them. It is indeed an affecting experience, more so than words can describe, to watch over them from year to year, go in and look into the faces of the scholars, study the development of their minds and moral natures, and follow the successive classes and ages from one stage to another in their course, till they leave the school and enter on the active duties of life. Here they are during the most impressible period of their whole lives. Here they are fitting themselves for future happiness and usefulness, or the opposite. Who can be aware of all this, and not feel as if he wanted to do the utmost possible for these youth ? How can he help com- ing to regard them with a strong affection ? How can he fail to be exceedingly anxious to say such things in their pres- ence, and seek to have exerted over them, both in school and out, such influences, as shall do them the greatest possible good ? If there are any who have not a deep concern for the welfare of our schools, we advise them to visit the schools, and consider, as they look upon the scene before them, what is there going on, and reflect how surely the minds and hearts of the children there gathered are being trained for a momen- tous future responsibility.
It is a matter for gratitude that our schools are surrounded
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by such propitious influences, and are doing so much for the best interests of the youth gathered in them. Surely, no one can be willing that the restraints exerted upon them, and the anxiety felt for them, and the means of moral improvement now enjoyed by them, should be at all impaired or dimin- ished. How cheering the thought that now a word of heart- felt exhortation can be freely spoken, a prayer be offered, motives to sincere piety be urged, and the Bible, the founda- tion of the only sound morality, the great safeguard to our free Republic, can be read, and its precepts inculcated, with none to molest, or make afraid ! And all this not in the least as a sectarian matter, not as diverting the attention of the scholars from their studies, or causing any hindrance, but rather as enforcing and aiding the true and complete develop- ment of the whole mind, and of all the faculties. What a matter for rejoicing that the statutes of this good old Com- monwealth of Massachusetts have so excellent a requirement as the following : -
" It shall be the duty . . . of all preceptors and teachers of academies, and of all other instructors of youth, to exert their best endeavors to impress on the minds of children and youth committed to their care and instruction the principles of piety and justice, and a sacred regard to truth ; love of their country, humanity, and universal benevolence ; sobriety, in- dustry, and frugality ; chastity, moderation, and temperance ; and those other virtues which are the ornament of human society, and the basis upon which a republican constitution is founded ; and it shall be the duty of such instructors to endeav- or to lead their pupils, as their ages and capacities will admit, into a clear understanding of the tendency of the above-men- tioned virtues, to preserve and perfect a republican constitu- tion, and secure the blessings of liberty, as well as to promote their future happiness, and also to point out to them the evil tendency of the opposite vices." - Gen. Stat., chap. 38, sect. 10. Far distant be the day when the Bible shall be taken from our common schools, and with it the best and most
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