Dénes Dienes: History of the Reformed Church Collég in Sárospatak (Sárospatak, 2013)
FLOURISHING AND SCATTERING THE REFORMED COLLEGE IN THE 17TH CENTURY - Comenius in Sárospatak between 1650 and 1654
40 Eruditionis Scholaßic* Pars Prima. VESTIBULUM, ‘Errum & Lingvarumf unii* menu exhibens. In ufum Scholx Patakinak editu mj, Tyf /% Celfß. Principis evferiftumi \stnno Olt DC. Ut The first volume ofComeni- us’ series of textbooks Eruditionis Scholaftic* Pars II. J A N U A. 'Rerum úrJi. ingvar uni StruSm» ram externa/» exhii/rm. M. DC. LIX. The second volume of Come- nius’ series of textbooks Eruditionis Scholafticac Pars 111. ATRIUM. !Egrum O'L ingvar um Orna* menta exhibens. In ufum Scholx Parakinx editum» fc in Clulcographia CcIfiiC Prin: cxicripcuriL». JU. DC. L1L The third volume of Comeni- us’ series of textbooks tor. This book begins with grammar (technically, it is more explicitly the study of style, rhetoric and poetry) and this is followed by different texts in one thousand sentences spread over one hundred chapters. Comenius also reworked and reissued the original Jauna with pictures and this became his most well-known book, it being entitled Orbis pictus (Painted World). This he followed with Schola ludus (Playing school) which is a more dramatized version of Orbis pictus. His school structure is also worthy of note and provides a glimpse of everyday life in the College: • 6-7 a.m.: singing, Bible readings, prayer, devotions • 7.30-8.30 a.m.: language theory • 9-10 a.m.: language practice • 1-2 p.m.: music or some lighter practical activity such as a short play for theater • 2.30-3.30 p.m.: history • 4-5 p.m.: writing On Wednesdays and Saturdays, there were no classes in the afternoon, instead there were games, walks and amusement activities. A walk of one hour’s duration was recommended after lunch and after dinner every day. Eight hours of sleep at night was what was required, from 8 p.m. until 4 a.m. In his other book entitled Preacepta Morum, Comenius suggests that seven hours of sleep is sufficient. Hurry to the school and take all your study accessories with you. Once there, sit down immediately in your seat, do not talk, do not make noise, pray to Christ to beseech His help and study diligently. It would be a shame to remain uneducated when you have good books and knowledgeable teachers. To reinforce your memory, write down in your diary everything you need to learn and everything that is good to know. Every day and hour in which you have not learned anything is wasted. After having worked, seek refreshment in games which ensure exercise for your body and refresh your mind, such as games with balls, bowling, running and jumping. The activities which are forbidden are games with dice, cards, wrestling, boxing, swimming and other worthless and dangerous activities. You have to play these according to the rules and courageously and not by cheating to win, not listlessly, sourly, noisily or overconfidently. (Praecepta Morum) Comenius never actually did any classroom teaching. He gave six public lectures and wrote these famous textbooks and some smaller books on pedagogy. In reality, he was an educational supervisor (paedagogarcha) - the position which he was invited to fill by the prince’s widow, Zsuzsanna Lorántffy. “We do not want to invite you to this dusty school for a burdened position, we wish that, under your management, our erudite gentlemen, current and future supervisors, rectors and teachers of this school could make further progress in the desired reformation process as soon as possible. ”
