Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1868-08-13
Teachers Institute.

At the call of the committee abou
seventy teachers assembled Monday
afternoon, in the Presbyterian
Church, to hold their second institute
in this county. The institute, in its
earliets meeting, gave evidence OF 6
very rapid growth in the professional
qualifications of the teachers com
posing it, In the absence OF A. G'
SEARS, President, D. P. GUTHRIE, nrst
Vice President, took the chair. De-
votional exercises conducted by Rev.
Mr.. MITCHELL. Mr.. BEARDsLEY was
not able to be regular in attendance,
hence j. D. JAMES was chosen to act
as Secretary. The afternoon was
spent in Introductory lectures, show
ing the objects Of the institute, the
ends TO be attained in the pursuit OF
science, the methods and importance
of systematic study, and a very lucid
outline of education, including: its
nature is growth of power in the
faculties; its scope is the whole man;
its end is good of man and glory Of
God; it's relations are basis of start
ing; first step and passage. guide and
passport and title deed; its requisites
are soundness and health, growth
material and growth movement; its
means and agencies are what con-
duces to health; what supports
growth material and what directs
growth movement; its methods must
: be attractive, simple and philosophi
cal. This outline is carried into the
instruction given by the teachers,
thus making the branch or Lesson q
specific for the development of some
particular faculty. The physician
first studies the nature of the disease
and then prescribes specific for that
disease modified by circumstances.
So the teacher must become ac-
quainted with the mind of the child,
and the order of development of
mind, and then apply such specifics
from the various sciences and meth
ods. as will promote that growth in
harmony with the laws of nature-as
Capt. MITCHELL said last night, this
is the theory of education.
Prof. YOUNG lectured Monday
evening on education, pointing out
its nature, which is not to cram the
mind with a multitude of facts, but
to draw out and develop the mind
and heart of the pupil, that he may
from cause trace the effect and trace
causes from effects; lay hold upon
the occurrences of nature and weave
from them grand principles and con.
nected sciences. The lecture pointed
out in well defined manner many
errors in education. Our schools
and colleges are yet far below the
proper standard. Yet, it must be
encouraging to educators to see how
rapidly we are advancing in the
right direction.
Tuesday was spent in giving les
sons on language, teaching in prima-
ry schools, Orthography, Drawing,
Arithmetic, &c. There is clearness
and philosophical arrangement in
these lessons that will be reflected
by the teachers upon their schools,
and must improve the teaching
throughout the county.
Capt. MITcHELL's lecture last even
ing was a most perfect photo
graph of the successful teacher. It
occurred to us that if the qualifica-
tons mentioned in the address are
essential to success in teaching, then
there must be a great many unsuc-
cessful teachers. Too many persons
gre very particular who shall groom
their horses, build their houses, cut
and make their clothes, DC, but quite
Indifferent as to who teaches their
children, the only requisite is, is he
"cheap teacher" The lecture
would place these ''cheap teachers
as the very poorest and most ex-
pensiye, because il takes mind and
soul to pay them, or they cheat the
children cut of proper and harmc-
nious development of mind and soul.
The lecture was an excellent one,
and will do great amount OF good.
There will be lecture tonight
wednesday, by Prof You've, on
"Higher education essential to sue
cess in life" Capt. MITCHELL will
lecture to morrow night. 1t is graf
flying to see SO many attending these
lectures.
re- The thieves are still busy ply
ing their trade. They made raid
upon the premises of Mr.. WIN. c..