The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-05-12
the teacher may greatly enhance the

upon such things as superfuites IN the
school room. Some will even find fault
with the teacher for requiring the chill
dren to supply themselves with books.
" If the teacher wants my boy to draw
he may find him book, | shall not buy
him one" In an intelligent community
like this, | am thankful to say that we
seldom hear such expressions.
We have been enabled, through our
exhibitions, to supply the school with
many articles of furniture, both useful
and ornamental. While taxes are heavy
teachers, having due sympathy for their
patrons, do not urge district boards to
get many articles which they would like
to have very much, and which would
add very much to the value of the
school; but they prefer to wait patiently
and enlist the interest of the pupils in
some enterprise, which while it does
them good in the way of direct disci-
pline, etc, it procuros the means with
which the teachers are enabled to supply
the school, from time 20 time, with such
articles as they most need, and in a few
years by dint of hard labor on the part
of teachers and pupils, with an active,
earnest sympathy and cooperation on
the part of parents aud friends, the
school may be passably well furnished.
Of course, where districts are able, |
would prefer to dispense with exhibit
tions, except as exclusive means for the
of the pupils, [ do not be-
lisve in demoralizing school in any
way, to get up an exhibition. The reg
ular school exercises should never be
put aside for any exhibition, and the
strongest objection | have to exhibitions
is that they add excessive labor to
teachers and pupils. Wheu we have
our exhibitions we intend to do just as
much regular school work as We other
wise would, and make all our prepare.
tons for the exhibition out of school !
hours, or at such times as will not in
terfere with regular duties, and we do
not intend to urge any pupils to take
part Ia them, who are not able 10 do |
the extra work but we fear that some
times those who arc anxious to help are
,vcrtaskcd and work beyond their
strength, and, on this account some
lines question the propriety of having
exhibitions, Notwithstanding the many
benefits arising from we'll conducted
'nes. We hope, of course, that if we
10 have them that the people will CO.
operate with us and turn out en- masse
% hear the children.
During the last term we had an un-
Usually strong class in Natural Philoso-
ohy next year the same class will be in
chemistry. Now, [ propose, if the dis
rict do not feel able to get us appara-
US, that we get it ourselves, and l
hluk if We set about it We shall accom-
dish it; for we have most earnest,
lard working, willing and able set of
'ouBg ladies md gentlemen. We shall
six you for os,isancs, snd, judging
rom the past, We shall get 1t. Out Of
money raised al out exhibitions we nave
'aid the rent Oh our Meiodeou. We
ave, also, paid for must of oGr Month
y Report Cards, Certificates of Honor,
3 'oks for our Library, Outline Maps,
Satu al History Tablets, Library Case,
)rrery, Teachers Office Desk, all Of
which have cost over S400, aud OF
yhich about $500 remsia 10 The school
Ouse.
A few more words aoont our Lyceum
nd | close. 1t is natural for Young
eople to desire TO associate iheU selves
lore or less together, either for amuse.
1ent, or entertainment aud improve
rent. As means Of taking advantage
{ this tendency and turn everything
18th which We meet, to improvement,
re have ics'ituted this Society, hoping
, direct the social as well as the men
Il, energies Of the young into channels
hich shall be productive of the highest
ood. Our Socias afford US the neaus
pleasant relaxation. without the dan- {
er of dissipation in any way. They
ford excellent opportunities for teach.
IS, parents and pupils to meet as one
,mmon family aud become more inti-
ately acquainted with one another,
ID ! would be glad if they we're more
,neraily improved, as We have not
me to visit the parents and children
.ry generally at their homes. The pa.
nts will be gladly received without
ckcis--iodeed, we shall consider their
tendance as great favor conferred
)on US. ,
Joe hour of each Friday evening is !
svo,ed exclusively to the social, and
drawing library books, before the Ly-
AN proper is called 10 order. We
uaot expect to edify the pubic with 4
armed arguments 10 discussion ; but a
9 do hope - be able to iutetest til e pa 81
nts and the patrons Of the school, 10 =
II efforts for Improvement. D
Our young people, when they go out
TO the world where they will have &C.
sion to speak and act for themselves, a.
i have reason. 30 doubt. many tunes a
be thsokfa for the d scipIiue and ~ -