Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1856-01-05
Communicated.
For the American.
Northumberland County
TEACTIERS,I INSTITUTE.

L6ACEIEFS' In INSTITUTE.
In pursuance Of q call issued by the Super
intendent OF the common schools of North
umoerland county, q large number Of fteachers
| employed in the common schools in the sew
erai districts of said county, convened in the
Court House, in Sunbury, on Tuesday, the
18TH ult, for the purpose of organizing q
Teachers Institute; having for its object the
| Improvement and elevation of the Common
schools and general education. The hour of
ten having arrived, Rev. j. j. Reimensnyder
Superintendent, was called to the chair and
on motion, j. Weeks was elected Secretary.
The Superintendent opened the convention
with an address to the teachers present. giv-
ing at length the reasons which induced him
to call US from our labors in the school room
to this place. He stated that he wished to
call us fresh from our labors, with all the re-
s.ponsiblity of the great work we have to per-
lorm there fresh upon our minds. He stated
that the children entrusted to our care, would
be the future rulers of this, the greatest and
freest country in the world and that it
would depend much upon our faithfulness and
ability, whether those children would prove
blessing or curse, an honor or a disgrace to
the happy land in which they live. He sta
ted that it would be owing in no small degree
to our ability and faithfulness, whether the
public shall be satisfied of the Importance and
utility Of Public Schools, and give it their
cheerful support, or whether they will rise up
against it and crush it forever. That Cn-
sars motto was, to act as if nothing had been
done as long as there remained yet anything
to do" and with this motto carried out, he
achieved the most brilliant victories, and
caused the shouts of his victorious armies to
be echoed aud re-echoed by the waters of the
Adtriatc sea. He said let this be our motto
let us labor as if nothing had been done in
the cause of education, as long as there re-
mained anything to do; and nobler victories
will be ours. He conquered with the sword ;
and agony, tears, and blood accompanied his
conquests, but we shall with science, truth,
knowledge and good will to men, and our
victories will be accompanied with joy, peace
and happiness.
On motion of Mr.. Vincent, jr., the chair
was authorized to appoint the necessary COM
mittees.
Whereupon the chair appointed Messrs
Shutz, Oberdorf and NJ Williams, of Turbut,
an Executive Committee to prepare business
for the convention; Messrs. HUFF, M'Wil-
liams, Of Coal and Hoffa, q committee to
draft constitution and bye-laws for per-
maRent organization Messrs. Huff, j. S.
M'Wiliams Vincent, jr., M'Williams, OF
Delaware, Haughawout, and Mervine, COM
mittee on Text Books.
The chair announced that FIRST in order
would be the best method of teaching the
Alphabet. The teachers manifested deep
interest in this subject
| Messrs Shultz. Dreher, Weeks, Vincent
jr, and M'Williams, of Coal, each stated his
method, agreeing in the whole that the best
method was by card in consert.
Orhography was next in order. Mr.
Dreher liked frequent change of vowe
sound. Messrs. Good and Weeks followed
in opposition; they preferred zone thing at ;
time"
Reading was next taken up and discussed
Upon this branch there was little difierenc,
of opinion. All believed the best method t.
be by rule and example" to have the pupi
read the sentence correctly, and pay strict at
tention to tone and infection
Geography was next considered. Here NJ
difference of opinion existed, all the teachers
preferrng Outline Maps or Maps of any kin,
to text book filed With questions and an
swers.
Arithmetic was next in order. Messrs
Truckenmller aud M'Williams, of Turbut
taught by classification in example.
They were followed by Messrs. Vincent, jr
and Gold, in opposition to classification j
examples. This subject elected considerabl
, discussion.
Truckenmiller moved that when this cor
) vention adjourn, it adjourn TO meet at G
o'clock.
, Adjourned