A Teacher’s Vacation Correspondence.
When tired teachers flee for rest to their own homes, they do not wholly escape from school duties or cares. Letters pursue them with unmerciful rapidity. From a pile of fresh ones, let us cull a few samples of requests that demand sympathy and aid.
“My school is to have an exhibition in a few weeks. Can you not send me some interesting declamations and fresh music?” A favor easily granted.
“The Sabbath-school has appointed me king of its celebration. Please send me a nice piece suitable to speak, and a few dialogues appropriate for the little folks.” An hour’s search through old files of the National Teacher provides material exactly suited for this occasion.
“There is to be a Sunday-school Convention at ——, the 24th of this month, and I am expected to speak. I never attended such a meeting. Please write me a nice speech, telling who introduced Sunday-schools, and how much good they have done.” A modest request! But, if there is really to be a Sunday-school Convention in the heart of Southern Georgia, and this shy boy is to help make it successful, ’tis worth while to look over Sunday magazines for facts which the speaker can arrange and use.
“I wish I could go to school the whole of this year. My wages for teaching public school three months will not carry me through. Could you help me in any way?”
A determined worker, who holds Sunday-schools on door-steps when no better place offers, seeks encouragement and papers. Here is part of his story: “I have some hard trials, and ups and downs, but I trusts in God, and tries to fight my way through. I have got no learning of account, but to the best of my knowledge I means to teach. God said where there is little known there is little required.” Perhaps the angels could tell us that poor Jacob’s crown will far outshine that of many a richly-endowed soul.
A “sweet-girl graduate,” folding away bouquets and compliments with her pretty muslin, wishes to know how she can make her school-room attractive. Speaking of future plans, she pens these words: “I mean to work for the Master to the best of my ability. I think a life not consecrated to God is no life.”
If sometimes burdensome, such letters do greatly add to the sweetness of vacation rest. They give assurance that the seed sown in weariness is yielding harvest, which, with the affection breathed from every page, inspires to future faithfulness and zeal.