The Portland daily press., 1871-07-15

hoo ;nAueuce has been referred 10, he be- |
'a,od that nine-tenths taught more evil than
.oodn Few will question the first statement
mt the other allegation is reckless in the ex-
RENE.
"Times of Refreshing" can be had by
churches Or individuals every month by ap-
,lication to DR.. Charles Calls of Boston,
Without money and without price. Peoples
for the monthly are, however, pub
isbed in its columns and go to support DR..
C.'s work of faith and labor of love.
The need of a new departure in the matter |
of practical religious enterprise urged by
speakers at the Congregationalist State Con-
ference is made significant i'll some OF The
reports rendered. Prof. Barbour reported
that but twenty churches, less than one
tenth, gave anything to the Educational so
ciety, to aid students for the ministry, and
the average amount given by the pa churches
was $2.16. For Memorial year, Prof Sewal'
reported S7271 expense in canvassing for
funds; leaving S30.44 due him. For the
Classical School SS622 had been reported, Tor
the Congregational House $143, for Bowdoln
College 1924, aud for Bangor Seminary SoaZc 81
62. For church edifices, debts, etc. Sloo:ol9
Thirty. seven missionaries have iaoored our
ing the wear. These and others Tor a shortef
neTiod have preached in 120 towns.
The Portland Ministers Association held
their last meeting or the summer on Mon
dav. The sessions will te resumed Sept. 4th.
WatervilIe Classical Institute.
.. WATERvILLE, July IA, 1871
To the Editor Of the Press:
The anniversary exercises of the Classical
Institute, of which Mr.. J. Fl. Hanson is Prin-
cipal, are this week occupying the attention of
the friends of education here. The entire days
of Wednesday aud Thursday were occupied in
examining the various classes. The faculty o
Colby University, who are the trustees of the
Classical Institute, expressed themselves very
highly gratified by the examinations, particu-
larly in French, Latin and Greek, TIE class
of young men prepared for entr rance to the col
lege numbers ten The town of Watervlle
pays the tuition of certain number of youth
who are admitted into the Institute as into q
town High School. A primary department is
also connected with the school, and receives
the most careful attention of Mrs. Hanson. 1t
is one of the principles Of the managers, that
the best instruction possible should be fur
nished to the smaller scholars, for whom the
most experienced teachers are required.
Connected with the Institute are two literary
societies, sustained respectively by the young
ladies and gentlemen. Last evening large
audience assembled in the Baptist church to
listen to the Grafton before these societies, by
Rev. Prot. Galusha Anderson, ID. D., of New
ton Centre, Mass. The grafton was fOrcible
and logical presentation of the sound views of
the speakerin reference to the theem of Utility
in Education. DR.. Anderson referred in opening
to the two theories of education which have
prevailed among thinking men since theitime
OF Locke, the utilitarian and the disciplinary.
The material tendencies of our nation causes
the most utilitarian theory to find great favor
here, and the intensity of American life natur-
ally leads us to deem those studies absurd
which cannot be directly and proftably used
in ones calling. Hence many institutions of
learning have made haste to conform their pre-
scribed course of study to the demands of this
materialistic tendency. A more sound meth
cd seeks to unfold and develope not merely the
money-getting abilities of the youth, but his
whole intellectual nature, believing that the
highest cultivation of the whole man is the
surest foundation for excellence in any particu-
lar calling. The materialstc theory beholds in
the advancement of knowledge and science an
end to be wrought in education, and would
have the public learn in the quickest way how
to make the most money. The broader, truly
utiltarian view of education proposes us an
end the elevation of the race, and the material
blessings accompanying it are but the shining
dust OF the balance.
The reformers or deformers of educational
processes clamOr for utility. Here only it is to
be found, in the truly liberal theory, which
seeks to develop mans whole nature, and fit
him for the duties of a man and citizen. Man
kind are employed about multifarious ends in
life. No mans manhood should be sunk in
his profession or trade, aud any system ignor
ing his manhood deserves execration.
Thought or reason, and language to express
thought, must ever form the foundation of true
education To secure strength of reason
and accustom the mind to carry on unaided
process of abstract thought, are peculiarly the
prerogatives. In the Greek and Latin lang
uages are found whatevar thers ia Of -beausy,
terseness and strength, which must serves as
models and masterpieces of literary express
ion. Science acquaints us with certain class
es of facts. Metaphysics applies these facts to
the study of the mind itself. The advantages
OF liberal discipline Of this sort are m any, and
entitled it to be called truly utilitarian. 1t
prevents the waste of time and strength of
those who would rush into the learned profess
ion before their minds have been duly strength
f<rsp vi al,
otherwise would bound Sthe horizon of their
interest by their ow1 particular call
ing. By ordinary diligence student can
get such view of the whole system of truth
as will prevent an undue exaggeratiOn of his
own special work. The value of contact with
educated mind, ia living teachers and in the
printed traces of the great minds of the past is
of great value. To know how we have acquir-
ed so rich heritage from the past is worthy
desire. Time envelOped in thus perfectng the
discipline of the intellectual man is not wasted
any more than discipline of an army before
battle, or training an athlete for the prize.
Such years of study, make joy out of the
drudgery of the professions. Much may be
forgotten, though perhaps many graduates
have the credit of forgetting much that they
never knew, yet the strength of mind acquir-
ed remains indestructible. Allowance for fail
ure is made in all walks of life In our age
there is constant demand for trained men,
whose minds can grapple with the problems of
our civilization. Learning now goes abroad
among people. 1t can never again be monopo-
lized by the cloister, and the people demand
teachers. All mental growth must necessar-
ly be SLOW But this kind of orderly, patient
work and discipline, is in higher repute to-day
than ever before. Those institutions who low
cred their standard of discipline are returning
to the better methods, and everything appears
auspicious for the cause of the education.
The exhibition occurs to-day, in which four
young ladies and eleven young gentlemen
have parts The Portland Band flu rnishes
music for the occasion. This afternoon the
graduating exercises of the class of young lad
les takes place and concert by Mrs Wether-
bee, Messrs Monroe and Shaw and the Port
land Band this evening, which will he theme
OF to-morrow's letter. WINsLOw.