uity and moral power are brought into
the field, in opposition to the evil tendencies of the hearts which are
under your influence. You will notice the success or the failure of the
means you may put into operation, with all the interest with which the
experimental philosopher observes the curious processes he guides;
though your interest may be much purer and higher; for he works upon
matter, but you are experimenting upon mind.

Remember then, as, for the first time you take your new station, that it
is not your duty, simply to watch with an eagle eye for those accidental
instances of transgression, which may chance to fall under your notice;
you are to look over the whole ground; you are to make yourself
acquainted, as soon as possible, with the classes of character, and
classes of faults, which may prevail in your dominions, and to form
deliberate and well digested plans, for improving the one and correcting
the other.

And this is to be the course pursued, not only with great delinquencies,
such as those to which I have already alluded, but to every little
transgression against the rules of order and propriety. You can correct
them far more easily and pleasantly in the mass, than in detail.

To illustrate this principle by another case. A teacher, who takes the
course I am condemning, approaches the seat of one of his pupils, and
asks to see one of his books. As the boy opens his desk, the teacher
observes that it is in complete disorder. Books, maps, papers,
playthings, are there in promiscuous confusion; and from the impulse of
the moment, the displeased teacher pours out upon the poor boy a torrent
of reproach.

"What a looking desk! Why, John! I am really ashamed of you. Look,"
continues he, holding up the lid, so that the boys in the neighborhood
can look in; "see what a mass of disorder and confusion. If ever I see
your desk in such a state again, I shall most certainly punish you."

The boys around laugh; very equivocally, however, for with the feeling
of amusement, there is mingled the fear that the angry master may take
it into his head to inspect their dominions. The boy accidentally
exposed, looks sullen, and begins to throw his books into some sort of
arrangement, just enough to shield himself from the charge of absolutely
disobeying, and there the matter ends.

Another teacher takes no apparent notice of the confusion he thus
accidentally witnesses. "I must take up," thinks he to himself, "the
s