Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1860-12-07
COM3ICNICaTED.
A. Is. LoSGSTEEEr.
The Examination OF the Bethel sob

The Examination Of the Bethel School.
IHr. Edtor: In the midst of politics and
other exciting topics, permit n spectator to
give your readers, though impcrfcctly. the
Impressions made upon him by this exami
nation.
Bethel is q Meeting House, Of the N. f.
Church. South, situated in about two miles of
the famous Long Cane Greek, and five and n
half Of Abhcylc G. H., on the cross from
the Shake, to the Augusta Roads, in the neigh
boIhood OF Mcssrs. J. II. Brooks, d. NJ.
$Wardlaw, and a. l.. Gray. u neat ard com
modous School House has been erected near
the Meeting House. flourishing School has
been kept up at this place for several years
past. During the last ten months it has been
presided over by Miss Jane Pennal, who grad
ua,cl about two years ago. at the Masonic Fe-
male College, at Cokcsbury. Miss Pennal came
into our community with the reputation Of not
only being more than ordinarily endowed, but
that that endowment had been we'll cultivated
| and prepared for the responsible duties upon
which she was about to enter. How well her
conduct has verified that reputation, her pat
rons and the neghborhood generally, who ut.
| tended this c1aminati IN, would most abundantlv
| testify.
| The writer happened to be there by m invi-
taton ivcn but few days previous to the
examination, and hc will venture his reputation
for all that he knows, or prctcnds to know, in
| letters, that such examination has not been
Witnessed in Abbcvie District, within the last
| ten years. The pupils examined were of both
| sexes, from the ages Of about eight to about
fifteen. Reading, Spelling, the Arithmetic,
History, Geography, Composition. Declamatiou
and English Grammar, were the subjects cx.
hibited, and examined upon; and proficiency
in all them was presented from the youngest
to the oldest such rs the writer although he has
attended many an examination both at the
Primary and niger Schools, or Colleges, never
| witnessed before. What struck the writer as
peculiarly remarkable in this examination was
| Miss Pennal in advance of nineteen out Of
twenty now engaged in this important business,
| seems to have comprehcndcd her true mission
| as teachcr-which was simply TO MD in the
development and discipline of the intellectual
faculties; leaving the storing of the mind with
materials for future thought, for an after
period.
Considering the unpleasantness of the day,
n very gratifying number, independent of pat
rons, were present, and all we're evidently de-
! lighted.
at the close Of the examination exercises
Major II. a. Jones, who was present, was
called upon for some remarks, to which he
responded il speech Of about twenty minutes
length; in which, whilst lie expressed his great
qualification at the examination lie had wit
messed, and congratulated that community upon
their good fortune in having secured the SER
the importanc rather necessity, of educa
tion, in general. and urged upon parents hei,
duty, in particular. in this regard, ns taking
precedence of all other matters that could en-.
gage their attention. and stated, briefly, how
in his judgment, this most important object
might be most efficiently accomplished.
Dr.. A. Paul, and a. L. Gray, Esq., were
also called upon, and made appropriate re.
marks.
We are informed that The services of Miss
Pcnnal are engaged for another year. This is n
pleasant community, and healthy; aid parents
and Guardians having children, or wards they
desire to be educated, would do we'll to take
advantage Of this opportunity.
1t is very gratifying, to the writer at least,
that Miss Pennal, who has thus undertaken the
responsible position of guide to the growing
intellect, was born and educated in our own
District. No Yankee here. So, parents need
have no fears as 20 the morals of their chill
dren.
A SPECTATOR.
Nov 3Oth, 1860.