The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-01-08


Of Columbia county. the teachers Of the
county convened at the Lutheran Church in
osttawisFs, on Tuesday. Dec. Oath. 1861 for
the purpose Of holding 80 Institute.
FORENOON sEssioN.
The meeting was organized by appointing
William Burgess, County Superintendent ,ae
Chairman. who, after expressing thanks for
the confidence thus placed. staten the gener-
Ell object of the Institute and informed that
though We should be disappointed in not
having the assistance cf some class instruct
ors whom we had expected Prof F A. Al
len, Principal of the West Chester Normal
School, and III. w. Gilbert, of Greenwood
Seminary, we're with Us, and ready to enter
upon such labors as might be assigned.
On motion, q. J. Campbell and VIM. Te-
pie were appointed Secretaries, and Lucy
A. Greenwood, Emily Clark, Kate Mears,
A. B. White and 81. T. John. teachers of the
Csttawissa schools, were appointed Com
mittee of Reception, to assist the teachers
in finding suitable boarding places among
the citizens who had generously protfered
their hospitality.
NJ. McHenry. H. H. Brown and A. NJ.
White we're appointed Committee on FL
nance.
James Y. Keeler and Mary A. Rich were
appointed to assist the President in arrang
ing business for the afternoon and evening
Adjourned to meet at 2 p. NJ.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Institute convened near the appoint
ed time, and the chairman commenced the
order for the afternoon and evening Prof.
Allen was then introduced and made an i'm
pressive address on the general objects and
leading features of these institutes or schools
for the teachers improvement. He wished
to impress the Importance of such move
ments, though be had nothing novel to pre-
sent, and might not interest us with any new
methods or experiments. He related some
incidents which had occurred in his expert
ence as a teacher, and which led him to
adopt the methods he is now using. He de-
sired teachers to relate their experience in
teaching and especially TO present the diff
entities they had to encounter. Messrs.
White, McHenry, John and others respond
ed By giving their manner of conducting
class exercises in school, and the improve
ments they bad made to interest the pupils
and fasten their attention upon the subject .
before them. Prof. Allen followed with
some pointed and instructive remarks on or
der, and the best method of preventing whis-
pering in school. Adjourned to meet at 81
O'Clock in the evening.
EEENISo SESSION.
A good audience of teachers and citizens
assembled to listen to the exercises The |
Secretary read letter the President had re-
feiyed from Prof. II. d. Walker, stating that
his engagements would prevent his meeting
as az this time. which he very much regret /
ted, and hoped to be able to convene with
rs in the future ia our associated labors, /
whenever be could.
Prof Allen addressed the audience on the I
bearings OF Education at is now is, and as
it ought to be. He alluded to the sad events /
which have hefallen our country, and attrI-
buted the cause in part TO the neglect Of the !
education of the masses; the present diff [
culties being only the outbreakings of the +
clouds which overshadowed the minds OF our
people, and which bad long followed them I
in ignorance. So far as our educational sYs I
tenn had heen applied. we had given great
stimulus to the intellect to the neglect of
moral culture, and those placed Ia authority, I
rs q general rule, had received an education
Of the intellect without sufficient moral de-
velopement to stand as leaders under demo-
cratic institutions. He desired our educa-
fional efforts to be so directed that the mas
ses may in all things be educated Alright. to I
promote our physical we'll being as well as
the culture of our moral powers and of our
intellectual faculties; that the whole man
may be trained Alright to work in harmony
with the laws Of his being and the design +
of his creation
The entire lecture was interesting and in
structive. and could not fail to make deci-
ded impression.
Ne. III. W. Gilbert next spoke on Natural 1
History and the tendencies which the study :
uf that branch would foster If introduced j
into our Common Schools He would have
it introduced Eot only for the benefit of the
vast number of facts which would be inter
esting and useful to the pupils. but for the
tendencies it would have in fixing attention,
cultivating the perceptive faculties and in
arousing native thought and more deep re-
fection- 1t would also discipline the mind
would have an elevating tendency. lead TO
more exalted aims and aspirations and do
much towards the culture of more true po
hteness and refinement. The lecture was
chaste in style and deeply instructive. hu.
without any affected display of oratory.
which Is more captivating with some than
clear thoughts and noble ideas.
DEC 25.-HoRNIEG SESSION
The exercises were opened with prayer by
Prof. Allen.
The chairman made some remarks on the
business affairs of the Institute.
On motion, H. T. John, Chas Barclay H.
W. Gilbert, Michael Whitmoyer and SalIie
r. John were appointed a committee on crit
icis1n, and u. J Campbell, r r. PeaIer. NJ
A. Rich, L. A. Greenwood and s. III. Arm
strong we're appointed to prepare suitable
resolutions before the close Of the Institute
Prof Allen then lectured on spelling
He spoke of the various methods adopted in 4
teaching it and also presented method of I
bis own He thought the oral method ex-
clusively educated the ear alone and not the
eye. He thought the best method Of max
ing permanent impression on the brain is
through the medium of the organ of vision
~ cho hn Cd fr,o her
the forTns of words, and to detect errors
when they occur. or it would always he a
system OF gu,ss-work. Our orthYgraphv is
not built upon phonetic basis. and even
the laws OF ansiosy are to n great extent set
ct defiance % tna being an arbitrary sys-
tenn dependent upon +. memory far its com.
plete mastery. We nnss ,dneate the eve to
the correct i9rms ..sd ~ <hieh fashion or
k'osa rses~ ,s -. 81 ,vr;ta then would the-e,