New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-08-02
EDUCITIOK.
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF INSTRUCTION.

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF INSTRUCTION.
WORCESTER, July 29.-The Institute met at
O'Clock This morning and the first paper read was by
Prof W. F. Atkinson on A General Course of study"
II was production fitted TO excite attention from it,
rather startling statements in regard TO the worthe
meas Of the present Of study ana systems OF
teaching in the public schools, haracterzng the Old
system a. an "infnite absiIrdity" He womb nave
education principally directed TO the sciences when
children are young taking language and literature later
An animated discussion followed ia which Messrs. steb-
bins of Springfield TOlman OF Pltt5neld, crosby OF
Nashua. CLute Of NewJersey the Hon, J4aerH Mla,e
agreed with the author Of the paper TO certain extent
The Treasurer, Geo. A. Walton esq, made hi. report
showing that there balance of -2sl &C IN the treasury
Tie officers Tor the ensuing year were chosen 9t the
opening of the meeting in the 2ilefnSdn o. Ms
with the other officers Substantially the same as last
The principal topic discussed I'm the afternoon that
of "Conpulsory Attendance at School, which was IN
troduced by an able paper from the Hon JOSEPH Nil
Secretary OF the Massachusetts, Board OF Education IL"
commenced by quoting the sayings OF Martin Luther ln
1896 that Government as the natural guardian OF az
the compel the people u support
schools" And further, "what is necessary 10 the we'll
being of the state, that should be supplied by tsSs
necessary than the IstSng OF those who are -
be- Is pointed out by Cromwell who sad can that
complete and generous education which hts man 70
perform Justly skillfuliy and magnanilnously an the
offices, public and private OF both peace ana wal Iha
is to-day, such education hts man 10 ne clllzeh OF
fiji |. man to be citizen OF IA free state.
A. it will not be denied that j. the duty of the state 10
provide the means OF education IL equally the duty
of parents 10 avail themselves OF those means and We
NAV 20 further and say that il is the undOubtcd prero-
gative Of the state to compel parents and guardians OF
children to avail themselves OF those adyanta ges-snd
this on the ground that the state has right TO protect
ITSELF aud il hound that the elements that com
pose IL are fty Joined together To the question whether
this not interfere with the right aud the Conscience
of the parent, the that no parent has the
right shut the door OF knowledge % hS tLd ana 10
take away the key The first duty OF the parent IL 10
provide for the physical wants OF his clid ana no STATE
i without laws FOR the punishment OF one VINO ills 20
do this; and IL much the duty 81 tie parent 10
supply such intellectual training and training III INDUS
trial pursuits will prepare the child TO become useful
citizen II that Is the duty Of the parent, 10 Is
the duty Of the State Ia sec that 1t Is done.
the duty of the parent 10 make over 10 society good
material for liz upbud.ng, aud any class ot parents
fail this socipty Is bound In scdeenae 10 interfere,
Many cited IN which Stale, have attempted tO
enforce these principles by proper legislation aud some
quoted with reference 10 his point. brief discussion
the customary resolutions OF thanks to those who had IN
any way aided make the meeting oessiu one, ana
the singing OF the doNOlUgy, according TO the universal
custom of the Institute In closing its sessions the meet
ing was adjourned sine die.
Though lis scs of the Institute did not draw to
get her quite attended some former Occa-
tons owing fact that the State Teachers AssOoa-
ton at NoWlOk In session az the same time, ana
for other rea -ons yet the meetings have been most III
torestug and profitable, and the time fully occupied III
appropriate EXERCISES. thex...