Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-05-26

Worcester County Teachers Association.
The sessions of this Association were held
at Brook6eld on Friday and Saturday last
Rev. Mr. Bragg opened them with prayer
Ex-Gov. Boutwell, delivered an address, speak
ing of the importance of town associations of
the friends OF education, where might be dis
cussed IN familiar manner the various modes
OF teaching, and the means of improving our
schools, Teachers generally governed well
enough and its was now pretty fairly under
stood that scholars must submit to rightful
authorities in the schoolroom. Fifty years
ago, the first week in school was often spent
in a contest between the big boys and the
teacher TO see who should be master Now,
good instruction seems to be called for, and to
teach well, things taught should be fully I'M
derstood by the pupils. Amusing anecdotes
were related to show how arithmetic and
grammar were sometimes taught. The lack
of maps, globes and blackboards in the school
room, and the presence Of answers in arith-
metics, he said, were great evils. Children
should not go to school very young, but should
york when they do 60 Mr.. b. also discussed
the changes in the school laws, and showed
their manifest benefits. The preceding and
other kindred topics were discussed for an
hour and a half longer by Hon. Amasa Walker
and Hon. Freeman Walker of North Brookfield,
Messrs. Ansorge of Dorchester, Carter and
Russell of Fitchburg, Eddy OF Oxford, Prof
Russell of Lancaster, and Rev. Messrs. Burr
and Bannister, and Mr.. Howe of Brookied
Friday evening, Prof. Hardness of Brown
University gave very able and instructive
lecture on the Conditions of Success in Life.
1t was full Of classical illusions, important
truths and interesting suggestions. The ad.
dress, full of literary merit, delivered without
notes and without hesitation was listened to
with great nleasura and floca attantiOp bv
audience Unexpectedly large for so stormy an
evening. After the lecture, social time was
had, and a dialogue and recitations were given
by Prof Russell of Lancaster and Mr.. L. w.
Russell of Fitchburg.
Saturday morning, after prayer by Rev
Mr.. Burr Geo. B. Emerson, LII. D., of Bos-
ton, delivered very long and learned lecture
on Forests and Forest Trees, their uses and
benefits, &C., &C.
Prof Russell was chosen to act with State
Committee in favor Of taking steps to render
teaching profession, and of enabling teachers
an opportunity of examinations and of obtain
ing certificates of qualifications as diplomas
from their peers as in the learned profession.
A discussion of the best modes of teaching,
OF examining teachers, &C., was held, in which
Rev. Mr.. Jones and Mr.. Sprague of Worces-
ter Mr.. McClaflin of New York, and several
others, took part. The Association then ad-
Journed after passing resolutions of thanks to
Hon. Geo. S. Boutwell, of Groton, Prof. Hank
ness of Providence, and Geo. B. Emerson,
Esq, of Boston, for the entertaining and valu-
able lectures delivered before the Convention,
to tine citizens of Brookfeld for the entertain
ment provided for teachers, and also to the
Worcester and Nashua, Fitchburg and Wor-
cester, and Western railroads for free return
tickets.