Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1857-01-28
ADDRESS ::
DeliUered at The opening Of the CAeartela Teach
erS Institute, Jan. 3, 1857, By Dr. A L. ScHRY-
YER, CoMAkH SnperintenHeIlt.


DeliUcyed at the opening of the Ckearfeld Teach
erS Institute, Jan. 3, 1857, by DR. A L. ScHRY-
YER, County Superintendent.
FRIENDS AND FELLOW TEACHERS Having
failed in first meeting to establish a County
Institute, but not discouraged, have thought
proper to make another effort for that purpose.
The object of these meetings, or Institutes,
is for the mutual improvement of teachers-to
promote the cause of education and the best
interests of our common schools-to discuss
the various subjects OF education, and the best
practical method of teaching the various bran
ches taught in our common schools. The de-
sign is to instruct the young teachers and to
improve and enlighten the intellectual powers
Of the mind. 1t is well known fact that ev-
cry great enterprise, and the developments in
the principles of government, as well as in the
arts and sciences, have originated from small
beginnings. We must SOW before we can reap.
The farmer prepares his soil, sows his seed,
nature natures 1t, while he waits patiently
to reap the rewards of his labor. So with ed
ucation. Parents must build houses, furnish
books and competent teachers-send their
children TO school in their youthful days if
they would make lasting impressions on their
minds that will render them useful. 1t is an
old saying, but not the less true, that
'sTall oaks from little acorns grom,
Large streams from little fountains how."
We must make beginning if we wish to keep
pace with other counties in education. From
this Hall may spring up little plants and foun-
tans of knowledge, whose branches and gent
ly gliding streams and rivulets will become
large streams, sending forth showers of light
and knowledge to drive ignorance, superst
tion and bigotry from the land-to expand the
intellectual powers of maE--to arouse the
slumbering to inquire the road to knowledge,
rational liberty and mental improvement
Look at the character and enterprise of the
people in the eastern States, where the school
system is in high repute. There agriculture,
commerce and manufactures flourish through
educated and well directed talent and enter
prise. Their ships convey the ssstripes and
starr to every harbor in the world. Their in
ventive genius is proverbial to all nations.
They stand living example, first in morality,
first in domestic tranquility, first in agricul-
ture, sobriety and universal education. And
why2 Because first in common schools 1t
is the duty of every patriot, every true citizen
of our glorious Republic, to encourage the
common school system, on which in great
measure depends its existence and perpetuty.
Teachers should be induced to form societies
or associations for the sake Of the literary and
scientific knowledge acquired by them. 1t is
often difficult to effect change in old estab-
lished customs, and do away with old theories.
Therefore we must expect opposition, and be
ready to meet it with that energy, industry and
perseverance that will overcome and remove
every impediment to success and land us on
the sunny side of the hill of science, to stand
unmoved by the storms of adversely and COM
bined efforts of ignorance and opposition.
Teachers-it is for you to will and TO do, and
thereby give dignity and respect to your cali
ing-to elevate and ennoble the character of
your profession.
This meeting has been called, as said at
first. to advance the interest of common
schools Now, what can those present, and
the friends of education in Cleariieid, do TO
accomplish this objcct7 The first and most
important object is to establish County Insti-
tnte for the purpose of training teachers for
the profession. The second is the formation
of township societies by the teachers and 9TH
ers. for mutual improvement. Third, to Sc
cure the aid of all the friends of education,
and the cooperation of parents and directors
TO derive the advantages resulting from such