09 - Postscript From the Digital Text's Creator

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR OF THE DIGITAL EDITION July 1994 [abridged January 1996 for Project Gutenberg release]

THE SEVEN LAWS OF TEACHING by John Milton Gregory was one of my textbooks in seminary at the Atlanta School of Biblical Studies in a class in Christian Education, and I consider it to be a tremendous resource for teachers in churches, private schools and for homeschoolers. However, I believe that its applicability is much wider than a restrictively religious environment. The author was a Christian who worked and wrote in a society which functioned within a generally Christian world-view that recognized "absolutes" and which considered that the function of education included the transmission of a body of information (_facts_) and also the development of the capacities of the student to continue thoughout life as a thinking and learning responsible person. I commend to all educators the reading of this book, in whatever media available, and hope that it will be re-included as a resource for the training of educators even in non-religious settings. The fact that the author includes in his writing references to religion and morals, and includes Biblical allusions and illustrations should not invalidate the insights of a tremendously influential mind of the nineteenth century. Much "modern" education has moved away from content-oriented teaching to the process of socializing and molding students into uncritical and controllable "world citizens." To such social engineers, the concepts of this book will no doubt be anathema. To Humanists and Skinnerians, I commend the reading of this book anyway, even if only for the purpose of arguing with its "outmoded" concepts (which are still strongly influencing a very effective stream of "alternative education"). The alarming _decrease_ of language and math skills in American public schools is a strong indicator that something is badly wrong with the prevailing educational practices and philosophy in our country. Dr. Gregory’s work is a pretty good statement of the educational philosophy "from whence we have fallen". Perhaps even a "secular" reevaluation of his concepts can bring about an institutional "repentance." This is my hope. In editing this book into digital media (actually rekeying it on my 32K TRS-80 Model 100 Portable Computer, rearranged with the Dvorak Simplified Keyboard), I find that my late-twentieth-century sensitivities to gender-related language have been twigged, but I have refrained from all but the most minimal of "editing." This was the way people talked back then, and the masculine bias in their language was _not_ intended to _exclude_ female teachers or students. I judge that an attempt to "update" the book’s language or illustrations would be a waste of effort: Gregory stands in the setting of his own time, and that is a part of his great value. Gregory’s book in print-media is public domain, and I choose to refrain from claiming a copyright on this edition. As long as the printed book is available, I recommend that my straight-ASCII version be used as an easily searchable (and easily sharable) onscreen resource. Instead of printing it out, just buy the book. I’m committed to continue producing ASCII-editions of good books which I hope to be able to release in freely distributable form. Since I was a teen, I have spent much of my time working with children, teens and people who are limited in their understanding of English, and I am committed to being a "teacher", whether I have that job-title or not. I frankly solicit copies of "Reading Lists" used by homeschoolers, private schools or public schools, (preferably) in ASCII as email, or email me for my current mailing address. If you know of books in the public domain or which the owners are willing to distribute freely in digital media which would be worthwhile additions to an educational digital library, I ask you to contact me and tell me of your interests.

Clyde C. Price, Jr.

Internet: 76616.3452@compuserve.com