Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-08-20
" ORCES T f R
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST go. 1862.
Massachusetts Teachers Association.

Esq, of the Eliot school, Boston, came in
with twenty four boys from his school, for the
purpose of illustrating ''the utility and practi-
cability of gymnastic exercises in the public
schools" Mr.. Mason spoke an hour, making
an eloquent plea for physical culture, which
should be introduced into every school, both
as science and an art. He said he had nine
hundred boys in his school, all of whom are
required to take gymnastic exercises at every
session. At first they were only able to eXer-
else five minutes at time, now they can east
ly continue the exercises an hour. They were
great aid to scholarship as well to good
health and accomplishments. During the
lecture the boys sat upon a settee in front of
the speaker, not one of them exhibiting any
awkward or uneasy position the whole time.
Three-quarters of an hour were then occupied
by Mr.. Mason with his class, illustrating the
system of exercises at the Eliot school. At
the close vote of thanks was extended to
him for his instructive and beautiful exliibi-
ton.
DIR. Lewis of Boston offered a series of res
olutions, proposing national convention, at
which all teachers should exhibit their respec-
tive systems of physical training, at which
convention committee should be called upon
to decide upon the merits of each particular
system, and class book be prepared, en-
bodying the system approved, for the use of
schools. The subject was referred to a COM
mittee, consisting of Messrs. Lewis and Ma
son of Boston, and B. G. Northrop of Saxon
vile, to report next year.
Mr. BOltwood Of Lawrence mentioned some
of the difficulties found in introducing move
ments in his school. Many girls could not be
persuaded to engage in them till the authority
of the committee was invoked, who said de-
cidedy that the school should go through with
them. Girls need the exercises more than
the boys and can perform those suited to them.
Mr.. Clailin of Maiden thought there should
be more of the good old play of ball. He
had found it of great advantage in his school.
Prof VIM. Russell referred to a recent visit
to the Normal school at Albany, where physi-
cal exercise is prominent feature, andwhe
its benefits are eXemplfied to the entire salts
faction Of those having charge of the institu-
ton.
Hon. Joseph White thanked gentlemen who
advocated outdoor exercise He agreed as
to the value of these exercises in the school
room. He thought there was larger pro-
portion OF ladies in the country, siczly, than
IN the cities.
Mr.. Boyden, principal of the Bridgewater
Normal school, spoke of the great benefits of
lip n
his school, during the last two years, securing
more vigorous and thorough study. They
were much preferable to ball playing.
Rev. B. G. Northrop agreed as to the value
of physical exercise, and the great benefits
derivablc therefrom.
The attendance was large including many
distinguished educatonists from other states.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The convention met at halfpast 2 o'clock,
when the choice of officers for the current
year, was made, as follows:
Decentralization E Sheldon of West Newton.
Vice Presidents-Tbomas Sherwin of Boston, Geo |
Wilson OF Taunton, George Bigeow of Fra |
mingham, A Boyden of Bridgewater, A II Cor |
nish of Plymouth b q Northrop of Saxonyie, lvo-
~ Cornish of New Bedford, William Russell of
Lancaster, w Dickinson of WcStfeld, c Chase |
of Lowell, Daniel Mansfield of Cambridge, Charles
Ariel Parish of Springfield.
Recording secretary-T d Adams OF Newton.
Corresponding secretary-J Horn of Brookline.
Treasurer-James Page Of Boston.
CounciOT S-Chares Hammond of Groton Jo-
san a Stearns of Boston, ID iagar of West RoX-
bury, L Stone of Plymouth, Charles Ansorge of |
Dorchester, john kneeland of Roxbury, il K
Greene Of Worcester, Charles Rugg of New Bed
ford, Ephraim Flint, Jr. of Lee, John d Phlbrick
OF Boston, Putnam OF Boston, Granville b
Putnam of Quincy.
Mr.. Sheldon, on taking the chair, made an
appropriate introductory address, after which
there was discussion on ''rhe best method of
increasing moral sentiment in a school"
At the evening session, commencing at
o'clock, series of excellent resolutions was
offered by T. ID. Adams, Esq, of Newton af-
ter which his excellency Gov Andrew was in
troduced.
NoY Andrew, after the cheering had sub
Saed' made an excellent and eloquent speech
OIL over an hour in length, which was loudly
"ppiauded. He said he was here rather in
connection with other duties than for anv
purpose Of speaking. He congratulated his
hearers that there was a place and snhoro
where mind may meet with mind in FREQ and
frank discusslon' in search of real, practical
earnest, ana honest truth. lie dwelt upon
the vast responsibility of teachers, and their
influence on the rising generation. Their in
tluence was not political. They are to create
the public sentiment of the great hereafter,
not to bear on the present merely. The
teacher possesses one of the truest, most
beautiful, and most hopeful Of all opportuni-
ties for the advancement of the civil
izatiun and the welfare of mankind. But
when it is recollected that we are living
in the grandest era Of all human history,
words utterly fail to describe anything like the
immense responsibilities now attaching to the
iaonrs of the school room. Who knows how
ohS the present struggle may last before the
Sulr OF peace returns? Who can adequately
u'llct the influence Of the teacher ia a time
nSe 'l'o upon the great army OF little bows
"H' elr'S DAILY graduating out into the worldy
As ohcy are taught, so they will be in after
NE lhere can be no exaggeration of the
duty or power Of the teacher, or the amourt
Of good he may do. The governor snolo as
the tendency Of the opinions Of ons aon No.
to be reproduced fifty years subseo,,,, =,