Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-11-22
Educational Meeting.

The third semi%nnual meeting of the Black
stone Valley Association of Committees,
Teachers, and other Friends of Education, was
held at Tafts Hall, in Uxbridge, on Friday
aud Saturday, the 18th and 10Th insts. The
meetiag was called to ORDER Friday, by Geo.
S, Taft, Esq, President The first question
for discussion was-"How shall the largest av-
erage attendance at school be secured Z" The
subject was ably discussed by Messrs. Clark,
Barber, Mowry, Williams, Southwick, Ball.
and Miss Taft, setting forth the influences
which the speakers in their own experience
had found effectual. The Rev. Mr.. Northrup.
Agent of the Board of Education, gave an in
teresting and instructive lecture at the after
noon session on the subject of Reading. Per-
tlnent remarks were also made by Mr.. Sargent
OF Blackstone, on the science of Music, and the
best method of teaching the art of Singing.
The audience joined with him, at the close of
his remarks, in singing the National Anthem.
The uniformity of school books in the towns
of the Association was the topic ofearnest and
protracted discussion, in which Messrs. Bar
Der, Southwick, Bates, Ball, Williams, Vince
lock, Drs Southwick and Metcalf, and Miss
Lovett participated. DR.. Henry W. Brown of
Midway addressed the Association on the
subject of Elocution, closing with an eloquent
recitation. AT the evening session, VIM. L.
Southwick, Esq, of Blackstone, read lecture
on Education, contrasting ancient with mod
ern learning. The question before the morn
ing session was again taken up, and made the
subject of very general discussion.
SECOND DAY.
The subject ofuniformity of school books was
recommitted to the committee with Instructions
to report at the next meeting. The best method
OF teaching geography was discussed at length
by Messrs Bolster, Seagraves, Metealf, Mowry,
and Barker; after which Mr.. Sargent favored
the association with remarks upon the method
of teaching vocal music in schools DIR.
Brown gave another lesson on elocution clos
ing with the recitation of Byron's Ode on
Waterloo DR.. Nutting of Holliston also gave
an exceedingly interesting lecture upon the
subject Of grammar exposing the inaccuracies
and inconsistencies of many of the text books
upon iildt SclGDCe. L lie tLdDkS OF the aSSOcl-
alton were rendered to the several lecturers in
acknowledgement of the value of their servic-
es, and resolutions were adopted expressing the
duties and responsibilities which a wise regard
for the public schools imposed upon teachers,
parents, and all friends of elocution. The fol-
lowing is the organization for the ensuing
year:
For President-GEoRGE S. TAFT of Uxbridge
Vice Presidents-Rcv Geo. S. Ball and Adophus
f. Brown.
Secretary-Dr John G. Metcalf
Ireasurer-S. q. Bates.
Executive Committee-Rev. j. S. HaTaden, Aaron
d. Hill, VIM. l.. Southwick. Henry Carpenter C.
A. Wheelock, and Rev. S. Barker.
Resolutions were also adopted, recommend
ing meetings in the towns within the associa-
ton, of teachers, parents and pupils, and the
preparation of essays on appropriate topics, for
the next meeting of the Association. The
thanks of the Association were cordially ten.
dered to the citizens of Uxbridge for their
kindness and hospitality