into the tender minds of children, all things appertaining to the knowledge and fear of Himself; and that they should “talk with them respecting these things whether they sit in the house, or walk along the road, or recline or rise up.”
3. To the same purpose Solomon everywhere in his books; agrees in asserting that youth should be instructed in wisdom, and not too readily withdrawn from the rod. David, having seen the necessity of the same thing, was not ashamed, although he was a king, to become a teacher and director of youth, saying: “Come hither, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”[1] Paul the Apostle admonishes parents “to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
4. Since parents, however, are often incompetent to instruct their children; or, by reason of the performance of their duties in family affairs, unable; while others deem such instruction of trifling importance; it has been instituted with prudent and salutary counsel from remote antiquity, that in every state youth should be handed over, to the instruction, along with the right of chastisement, of righteous, wise, and pious persons.
5. Such persons were called pedagogues (leaders not drivers of children), masters, teachers, and doctors. And places destined for such exercises were called colleges, gymnasia, and schools (retreats of ease or places of literary amusements). It being designed by this name to indicate that the action of teaching and learning is of itself, and in its own nature, pleasing and agreeable,—a mere amusement and mental delight.[2]
6. This gladsomeness was, however, altogether departed from in subsequent times; so that schools were not, as their
