The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1871-12-08
Teachers Institute.

CENTRE HAIL, Dec. 2ud lsTl.-The sec
ond semi. monthly Institute Of this town
ship was held al the above place, Saturday
Dec. 2nd.
After roll-call and devotional exercises,
the minutes the previous meeting were
read and adopted.
The following members were present; (;
j. L. Spangler, T. J. Frederick, Levi Gar
brick. Danial Mitterling, Ellis Hosterman,
W. V. Runkle. j. c. Bible, s. T. Stephen
son, Y. Burkholder. NJ. Shires, T. Neal
roy, Mollie Bennington and Beckie Lau-
yer.
knowing the amount OF work before the
Institute, each member prepared to take
his part. The President then announced,
"School Government" under which head
the following questions were put Does
this Institute approve the system Of writ
ten e1cuses7 Decided negatively. How
can you best secure good attendance In our
schools? Institute decides. that by public
and personal appeal TO both pupils and pa
rents. Show the pupil and parent that pro-
gress requires regularity Of attendance.
A; this stage Of the proceedings, il was
asked, what school Government includes
Il was decided that all matters touching
the good will, advantage or disadvantage.
Of the school should be moant, notwith-
standing the formal decision Of Mr.. Wick
ersham. Agreeably to this definition, Mr..
n Il -
teaching the Alphabet. Postponed tall
next time, and then to be opened by Mr.
McAlroy.
The next thing on the programme was the
drill on Mental Science. Mr.. Spangler
put a sketch Of the subject, "0rigin OF
knowledge" on the blIek board as fol-
lows:
QUERY:
Are the elements Of the minds first
knowledge innate or acquired?
/. Theory Of innate ideas. The human
mind is created with certain elements Of
knowledge inherent in IL, as part Of II.
2. Theory Of acquired, held by Aristotle
and Locke.
The human is created without any ideas.
II resembles sheet Of blank paper upon
which nothing is written, but upon which
ideas may be imprinted Docke).
9. Intellect, External and Internal.
ta) Ex. Intellect consists Of mentai
states arising from objects outside Of US.
(b) In. Intellect consists ofmentaI states
arising within us.
(a) Our first knowledge originates in
External Intellect.
Proof: Our experience tells US that oui
first ideas are few, and simple arising from
our wants.
Q. Observation in children
3. Proof from Language.
Our words first had literal meaning a
taste. imagine &c.
4. Persons who are deprived Of one sens
are destitute of such knowledge as tina
that sense makes known.
(b) In. Intellect.
CONCLUSION.
Mind. created without any innate idea
but with powers 10 acquire. The order
from the concrete to the abstracti from
facts to laws.
Application-Teach children by picture
teach facts-not laws.
After various discussions and citation
from Winslow, and Prof. Upham, (fcr n
one semed TO claim originality for his views
the Institute adjourned to meet mt Church
vile. December, 10th.
The Secretary is requested to pclitel.
urge the delinquent teachers to attend AN
i take part Teachers, come out End give u
your views on the many disputed question
Of school government, citizens, parents a
are respe ctfully invited TO attend
W. V. RUSKLE.
Secretary