Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1858-08-28
VERMONT TEACHERS ASSOCIATION


win Pease, ID. d., of Burlngton took the chair.
Prayer was offered by Rev. {. c. Parker, Of
Waterbury.
Listened to an address from the President.
He congratulated the members of the Associa-
tion ON the privilege of ENJOYING another annual
gathering to promote the cause of education.-
lie proceeded TO speak at some length of the
responsibilities resting upon teachers, especially
the teacher Of common schools He regarded
an amiable disposition as an essential element
Of character in a teacher, and the possession of
an opposite disposition as disqualification for
that important trust. Teachers must win the
g6eciioHs Of their scholars, and lac who cannot
do this can never be a successful teacher The
intellect must he reached through the heart 1t
is also essential that teachers should give their
scholars start in the right direction. This
must be done before anything noble or praise
worthy in the way of education can be secured.
In closing, the speaker alluded to the general
excellence Of the school law ofNcrmont, and ex-
pressed the opinion that SOME slight modifca-
tions only were needed to put it in working Or
der, and that such slight changes would render
1t very nearly perfect.
Appointed the following committees:
On rerisioa IF the Consttujoa.-Messrs.
HYDE of Castleton. Adams of Burlington, Eli
Oft Of Fairfax. and Spaulding of Barre.
On Btsiness.-MeSsrs. Worcester of Burling-
ton. Parker of Waterbury. HYDE of Castleton,
adams OF Burlington, and Perkins of Stowe.
10 nominaie OWcers-Mcssrs. Conant of
Royalton, Burbank of Ludlow, and Parker of
Waterbury.
10. fir 4 Jiace for merit neetiay-NIessrs Bal
lard of Montpelier Smith of Burlington, and
Stone of Montpelier.
1o obtain ue,c menbers-Messrs Lee of
Woodstock, Conant of lioyalton, and Spauding
of Barre
TUESDAY
The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev.
Mr.. Richards, of y. H.
The minutes of lost year were read by the
Secretary.
Rev. Mr.. Hyde from the committee to revise
the constitution, presented the same in new
draft, which was accepted as follows;
CONSTITUTION.
AFT. l. This Association shall be called the Yer
mont Teachers Association, and it, object shall be to
promote the cause of education in connection with our
common schools and the higher literary institutions of
the State.
Am. ?. The Officers Of this Association shall be
chosen annually, and -hali consist of President, a
Vice President in each county in the State. Secre
tary Treasurer an Auditor, and i'm Executive Com
lntce of three persons
ART. g. The annual meeting of this Association
shall be held during the third week in August at such
place rs shall have been previously appointed the
siors to continue two days or mole and to be
pied mainly with Addresses, Essays and Discussions
upon suct topics connected WIN eiucatlOn rs hidll
have been previously notified by the Executive Com
mtee.
AEr. 1. It shall be the duty ofthe Executive Com
nfee TO make all necessary arrangements for the
meetings of the Association, giving due notice of the
proposed exercises with the principal subjects of dis
cussor names of speakers, &c the first notice to be
published ut least three months before the time Of .
meeting.
ART. s. Any person may become member ofths
Association by signing the Constitution, and except. 4.
IN the case OF ladies, paying to the Treasurer nifty
Delegates
any friends OF education pre-en at any OF out meet
ings who may he "a invited, shall be considered Hon
orary Members oi this Association.
ART 8. Any necessary rule, or bylaws may be
adopted by vote Of the Association and this constitu-
tiop may be amended by vote OF two-thirds at any
annual meeting
AT this stage of the meeting, the President
read from the Bellows Falls Times extra, the
first message of Queen Victoria to President
Buchanan and his reply to the same, through
the Atlantic Gable.
The announcement produced a thrill of de-
light, and, on motion Of Mr.. Adam. of Burling-
ton, business was suspended.
Mr. Winslow read the Scriptures the Presi-
dent addressed the Throne OF Grace in an ap-
prOpriate petition, and the association united in
singing, BE thou o God exalted high" to the
tune Of Old Hundred
Listened to an address by Rev. J. S. Lee, of
Woodstock, on the dignity of the Teachers Pro-
tession. The speaker thought teachers should
magnify their office" The dignity of the
Teachers office is seen-lst. In the nature Of
the material with which he has to deal. This is
mind, susceptible of being impressed and ex-
panded by outward influences. The Teacher
should generate these influences and guard
against evil tendencies I'd. BY the permanent
cy of impressions made upon the mind. Moth
ing will ever be permanently eifaced from the
memory. Sd. By the influence of educated
mind upon the world of mankind. The office
Of the teacher is above that of the statesman,
for the former makes men, while the latter only
rules them
Appointed Rev. S. F. Brown, of Bellows
Falls, Assistant Secretary
The subject of local teachers associations was
introduced, and the Vice Presidents of the sew
eral counties called upon to report.
From all the information obtained, it did not
appear that more than one County Society had
been organized within the year, and that in
/ Chittenden county, where a commendable zeal
in the cause of education has been manifested.
Organizations of this kind have existed in Rut-
land County and in White River valley. The
latter is already in existence and sustained amid
many dicouragements from lack of interest.
! Several town organizations are reported as in
vigorous operation. and some others about to
/ be formed
AFTERNOON.
Listened to an address by Il. L. Perkins,
Esq, of Stowe. Subject: Reading as means
| Of Mental culture.
The speaker commenced by quoting the
mark of Lord Bacon, "Reading maketh the full
man. The quotation, he thought, should be
taken with some allowance. The promiscuous
reading of the present day units for the use of
books. A large portion of our literature has
become greatly degenerated To secure mental
| culture, much time should be given to the read
ing of books of oden time. Our best thinkers
study the productions of the past. The reading
of poetry was strongly urged. Our best prose
and poetic writer's commend the reading of the
Bible. 1t is largely poetic. Imagination which
it aids is in man, the regal faculty. A failure
to cultivate by historic and other writers has
driven many from their productions to the yell
low-coyered literature of the day. Webster's
celebrated reply to Hayne is illumined by vivid
imagery In the days of Isaiah imagination was
the hand maid of prophecy. When judicious
selection has been made, the amount to be read
is of consequence. Everett it is said, has sew