The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-09-01
Vermont Teachers Association


The Vermont Teachers Association
commenced its eight annual session at
Bellows Falls, on Monday, August l6,
1858, at 7 l-2 clock, P. M.
The President Of the Association, Rev.
Calvin Pcase, D. D., of Burlington, took
the chair, who, after prayer, by Rev. c..
Q. Parker, delivered an address TO the
Association.
The Committees we're then appointed.
TuEsDAY-The meeting was opened with
prayer by the Rev Mr. Richards, Of N. II.
The minutes of last 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,
AT this stage of the meeting the Prssi-
dent read from the Bellows Falls Time
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
delight, and, on motion of Mr.. Adams, of
Burlington, business was suspended.
Mr.. Winslow read the scriptures, the
President addressed the throne Of Grace
in an appropriate petition, and the asso-
citation united in singing, Be thou o God
exalted high" to the tune of Old Hun
dred.
The Association then listened to an ad-
dress, by Rev. J. s. Lee, Of Woodstock,
on the Dignity of the Teachers Profess
sion.
Appointed Rev. S. F. Brown, of Bel
lows Falls, Assistant Secretary.
The subject of local teachers associa-
tons was introduced, and the Vice Pres
idents of the several counties called upon
to report.
AFrERNooN.-Listenod to an address by
R. L. Perkins, Esq, of Stowe. Subject:
Reading as Means of Mental Culture.
After the speaker had concluded, the
subject was further discussed by Messrs.
Conant Of Royalton, Stone of Montpelier,
Marsh of G. E., Winslow Of Pittsford,
and Clark of Ira.
Listened to an address by j. s. Spaul.
ding, of Barre, on the relation of common
to higher schools.
EVENING" A social levee of members
| of the Association and citizens of Bellows
Falls was holden in the Island Hall, al
o'clock. Governor Fletcher presided.
Short speeches we're made by Governor
, Fletcher, Secretary Adams, Messrs. Clark
of Ira, Beckwith of Irasburgh, Parker Of
Waterbury, Lieut.. Gov. Slade of Middle
bury, Perkins Of Stowe, Roe Of Below,
Falls, Winsow OF Pittsford, and Poem
on the Brotherhood OF Teachers, by G. R
Ballard A. NJ, of Montpelier.
The Bellows Falls Band were in at
tendance and enlivened the occasion will
their very acceptable music. The evening
was spent very pleasantly and pro6tably
incultivating the social principle ament
the teachers and others present.
;WRDNEspAY-Rev. N. Clark, Of Ira
offered prayer.
Mr.. Ballard, from the committee on tn,
place Of meeting for next year, reported
in favor Of Burlington, which was adop
ted.
Mr.. Stone of Montpelier read an essa,
on Recitation.
AFTERNOON "A list of officers was re
ported and adopted.
The Hon. WIN. SLADE, of Middlebury
delivered an address on Thoroughness ii
Intellectual Educataion, of which the fol
lowing is brief outline:
1t has passed into proverb, that
Whatever is worth doing at all, is WORT
doing well. 1t is equally true that what
ever is not done well, is not done at all
Great minds grasp not only the outlines o
great plans and works, but the particulars
Many do not know the meaning of thor
oughness in education with them, thar
ougL means through the books; throuSl
prescribed course. Books are instru
ments for developing and maturing tn
mental powers, which are the great OBJ
jects to be secured in education. Edu
cation is great work. 1t reaches beyon
the acquisitions made, to the mind tha
makes them. 1t gives it character-en
during. 1t is the greatest of all huma
works. Should be done Thoroughly. Su
perfcialness a prevailing evil. Dificul
to learn pupils to think, if accustomed t
lean upon teacher. Ha6its of superficial
ness fatal.
Education has been especially superf
cial amoug females. Substance has bee
sacrificed to show. This defect has orig
mated in great error in regard to w
mans capacity, and her true position
the Social Scale, with the additional ne
ton that high intellectual culture unfit
her for her appropriate duties. Impo
lance of thorough mental culture to ii
Mother.
Remedy for supsr6cialness is to b
found in good teaching, whi,h is, to teas
how to study, rather than what is to
known.
Thoroughness should characterize Il
beginning of education. Importance
of mental habits, then formed. Nothiu
should be put upon the pupil, he cann
probably master. Should be held to
till it is mastered. Effect of mental II
umphs upon the future character of II
child. Important to inspire courage ar
confidence. Children should never LEAF
TO say, (" | can't"
Extent to which thinking faculty ms
be exercised in reading-in the attem