Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-11-19
Teachers Iussftufe.

This morning, a meeting Of the Tealers'
Institute was held at the Miller School Build
ing, commencing at haif-past nine O'Clock,
when there were quite a number of the
teachers present, and Messrs. Mcclellan and
Iashon, OF the Trustees. Several visitors were
also present, including Prof. Doolittle. The
session was opened by singing under the lead of
Prof. Daniel; after which, there was a discus
sion on vocal music, i'm which Prof Daniel and
superintendent Richards took part. and ex-
amples were given. Prof. Daniel advocated the
idea that teachers could teach the theory of mu-
SIC without being singers themselves; and the
question also arose as to the time which should
be devoted to the study of music i'm the Schools
but the discussion was not concluded. The next
subject was reading, and Superintendent Rich
ards spoke at some length on the importance of
that branch and the best mode of teaching il.
MT. Richards alluded to the importance of
spelling orally and pronouncing syllabies, and
advocated the method of writing from dictation
as the best means Of securing accuracy.
Mr.. Ross suggested that spelling from the
reading lessons was not out Of place when there
were but one or two paragraphs from a lesson.
Mr.. Richards continued, saving, under the
head Of use of language, that children should
not be taught to memorize words of the lessons
have reading book that would teach grammar.
geography, arithmetic, &c, as the best means
Of educating. He would have DO other book
except the copy book for writing, and he adj
vised the teachers to insist upon their pupils
talking TO them-in other words, TO express their
thoughts in their own language.
Miss Saxton read paper ON - What is a Still
school, which was listened to with marked at
tention; and at the conclusion, Mr.. John T..
Thompson, OF the Fourth District Male Gram
mar School, spoke i'm high terms of the paper,
saying it was the best ever read before the In
stitute, and he moved that copy be requested
for publication. He endorsed generally the
views contained in the paper, saying that they
were every teachers experience, but that those
who should know these facts-the Trustees
were not present.
DIR. Snodgrass spoke of the Importance of sym-
pathy and friendly feelings between teacher and
scholar, and the necessity Of the trustees be-
coming acquainted with the children. He refer
red to some teachers being superficial and actu-
any taking knowledge from pupils instead ofin-
Mr.. Richards i'm a few remarks called ON,
Professor Fay, who spoke of a dependence of
pupils on teachers which he had observed i'm
some private schools, and complimented the
which he had visited.
Arecess was here takens
METHODIST PROTESTANT SUNDAY SCHOOL
CNION.-The first quarterly meeting OF the
Methodist Protestant SUNDAY School Union was
held Yesterday at Alexandria, Va, in the Meth
odist Protestant church-Rev. DIR. l.. w. Bates
PRESIDING. The meeting was opened by reading
portion OF Scripture by Rev. W. 7. Lipscomb,
which was followed by prayer by Rev. j. Will
son, Of East Washington Mission. The first
business was the election Of Secretary and Treas
urer: j. +. Cox, Of Georgetown, was nominated,
but declined the honor f. j. Bartlett, of 9th
street station, was then elected unanimously
The discussion of the question, sThe relation Of
Sabbath Schools to the Church" was opened by
Rev. L. j. Drinkhouse, followed by Rev. B. f.
Benson-b0th speakers advocating the import
ance Of interesting the children in the Church.
MI. Ramey suggested another view Of the ones
ton, and argued the necessity of awaking the
parents to the Importance Of their relation TO
the Sabbath school.
Reports from Sabbath Schools being next i'm
order, the Superintendent OF Georgetown school
q. w. Orlne, reported number Of Officers. q.
teachers-male 13, female 13; scholars-maIe
1o2, female 81; infant class, I25 total 35s: VOL
umes In library, .6; whole number Of Bibles.
singing books. &c, in use by school, I,iS7.
Report from Alexandria Station-Offcerse s
teachers, lS number OF scholars 30; volumes n,
library, 66s. East Washington Mission-State-
ment was made by the pastor, Rev. j. r. VIII
son, showing the school TO be hourishing. the
superIntendent sup being absent. Ninth street-I2
teachefs, ~ scholars; volumes in library. -oo.
schooi increasine. All the reports showed an
schools. AA S"ccalH
During the meeting a numbor of excellent
> ssleetlons IL from Sabbath School Singing Book
Happy Voices" were sung. The meeting adj
ton, to meet at the East Washington Mission on
the nfst wednesday in February next, at D. m.