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Show ADDRESSING CHILDREN. It is not our purpose to give i nalruc-tion nalruc-tion to parents, nor to consider rules of etiquette, but merely to call atten. tion to an evil, greater than most people believe publio addresses to children. . That these addresses are. in themselves, evils we do not assert, for generally euoh is not the truth. The trouble to which we allude is most commonly found in Bchool-day and Sabbath. Many persons interested in the wolfare of the youth, visit the different schools to eee for themselves what progress is being made. On such occasions, custom makes it necessary for the teacher to invite them to say a few words. As a matter of courtesy we have no objection to such a course, but there are lew who will not accept the invitation. And it is sale to aay that not one man in a huudred though generally a good speaker knows how to speak to children. When any person accepts an invito tion to speak toothers, he is obligated to say tiomethiug that may be useful or entertaining to them. If he cannot can-not do this, his only course should be refusal. The teacher should study his visitors and not call lor a speech from one who he knows will say nothing instructive, or not Bay it pleasantly. In a majority of cases, speakers will refer to subjects beyond the depth of youthful intellects, will use words that cannot be understood, and figures of speech that only perplex. per-plex. With fresh memories of school days, and more recent experience, it is safe to say that sueh addresses do no good. If the speaker's language bo incouipreheubible, maturo people will not listen, and bow can attention ba expected from children whose thoughts at such times are beut upon play? A school room is not the place to air our knowledge on profound subjects. Speeches to children must be in language that is simple, clear and concise, laden with good sense, sound in reason, with not too much Bentimeut and moralizing. If fpeak-ers fpeak-ers would but comprehend these facts, they could make themselves agreeable and more useful; In the proper lime and place, the right person can do much good, by advancing advanc-ing truth and moral lessons in a Bimple manner. But if he attempt any display, alt benefit will be lost and the lesson, lacking interest, will have no good influence. That which has no particular weight where the object is not clearly shown we are apt to disregard, or to consider as something we must oppose ; and thus a speech, however rich in diction or in thought, not being understood, will sow seeds of evil. The ability to Bpeak plainlp upon all subjects is a dyesirable acquisition, and he who aspires to oratory, though ever so humble, should not neglect accustoming accustom-ing himself to speak to those who know less than he docs. In this way he will be forced to use Bimple language, lang-uage, and will acquire a habit of expression that all may understand. School teachers and superintendents should remember that there are courtesies due to students as well as to visitors. The former should not be persecuted by listening to dry tirades on dull subjects only to please the latter. IE people will tpcak, they must educate themselves t-ft speak intellectually, in-tellectually, and not be satisfied until they have accomplished this object. There can be little doubt tb.vt the dislike bo many children have of attendiog Surxhiy school, is due to the fact of having to listen to en many wordy mean-notning aiaressea from incompetent persons. Let those who have control of the children, teach the older ones bow to speak, ud there will be less causa for complaining complain-ing about carelessness and inattention from student. The latter will learn that speaking always baa a definite purpose, and will be led to conform their own course to that which they love to see. |