By this means he is acting most directly and powerfully on the intelligence of the whole future community in that place.

He is opening to fifty or a hundred minds stores of knowledge which they will go on exploring for years to come.

What a descent now from such a work as this to the mere hearing of the recitation of two or three boys in Trigonometry! I repeat it, that a thorough and enlightened survey of the whole school should be taken, and plans formed for elevating the whole mass in those great branches of knowledge which are to be of immediate practical use to them in future life.
If the school is one more advanced in respect to the age and studies of the pupils, the teacher should, in the same manner, before he forms his plans, consider well what are the great objects which he has to accomplish.

He should ascertain what is the existing state of his school both as to knowledge and character; how long, generally, his pupils are to remain under his care; what are to be their future stations and conditions in life, and what objects he can reasonably hope to effect for them while they remain under his influence.

By means of this forethought and consideration he will be enabled to work understandingly.
It is desirable, too, that what I have recommended in reference to the whole school should be done in respect to the case of each individual.
When a new pupil comes under your charge, ascertain (by other means, however, than formal examination) to what stage his education has advanced, and deliberately consider what objects you can reasonably expect to effect for him while he remains under your care.