Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-01-26

higher view must be taken of the call
ing OF the teacher. We call the profess
/ sion OF the minister q sacred one But the
| profession of the teacher is of equal i'm
portance. 1t is of equal Importance with
parental influence. Teachers have in
their hands the important work of mould
ing the infant mind. The lessons impart-
ed by the teacher are abiding In their
nature. The character of the man can be
determined from the character of the boy
at ten years of age.
Rise to position to command respect,
by being able to impart the greatest
amount of knowledge. How fferent
the influence upon children when the
teacher is able to make satisfactory an
swers to all the numerous questions of the
inquiring youthful mind. To acquire this
influence requires much labor; but ii
amply repays the effort. The affection
and confidence of children in such a
teacher is an abundant return for all the
effort made. With this ability to impart
knowledge, you will not be merely the
school-mistress of the district, but possess
ed OF an almost marvellous influence.
Acquire the means of drawing lessons
from all things for the benefit of your
scholars. These lessons can be drawn
from almost all the objects of natural his
tory and science.
Study nature independent of the text.
book. The delight of acquiring this
knowledge is its own reward. The de-
light of Archimedes at his discovery is
but the counterpart of the Joy which the
requirement of knowledge always i'm
parts.
Agsin, let me caution you against fall
ing into a routine of duty. Unless the
danger is avoided, you will plod along in
a beaten path from day to day and from
week to week. This can be avoided by
cultivating the habit of learning from all
things around you.
You have heard much said Of late
about new and improved methods of
teaching, object lessons, etc. Teaching
is science, and the most ardent are
seeking for new and improved methods
of instruction. Teaching is also an art,
and it is to be expected that important
improvements will be made. Give all
these new methods careful examination,
and ascertain what is of real value. Some
of them are already admitted improve
ments, and prove great blessing to pupil
and teacher. By them scholars can be
made to learn without hardly knowing it.
Give them fair trial They will make
the path of the pupil brighter and easier,
By this means our country will secure
what is SO necessary for its welfare, the
education of all its children.
| At the close of Mr.. Williams address,
the association adjourned till half past
one o'clock.
| AFTERNOON SESSION.
| Al H..
more densely filled than than at any pre-
vious time during the session. The chief
source of attraction and the centre of in
terest for the afternoon programme, were
the exercises in music and gymnastics By
class of twenty young girls and boys
from the secondary department of the
Rutland Graded School, under charge Of
Prof Geo. A. Mietzke.
On calling the meeting to order, the
president stated briefly the method of mu-
steal instruction adopted in the schools Of
Rutland, and announced that an opper-
tunity would be afforded to witness the
degree of perfection attained under the
system. In conclusion he introduced
Prof Mietzke who read an able essay upon
the subject of "Music in cur Public
Schools" in which he showed the value of
music as an element in the education OF
children, and met some of the objections
raised against it. 1t was an intere-ting
paper, and we regret that our limits will
not admit of its publication at the present
time.
At the close of his essay, Prof. Mietzke
proceeded to illustrate the principles be
had advocated, by going through q series
of questions to his juvenile class, in the
elements of sound and music, all of which
were answered in concert with degree of
accuracy and pronptness which was sur
prising when it Is considered that these
pupils were selected at random from the
various schools. Prof. Mietzke then
showed the proficiency of the class in 70
cal music by sounding the notes in unison
and singing several simple pieces.
To still further illustrate the thorough
ness of the course of instruction pursued
by Prof. Mietzke, he called forward two
of his class, Miss Emma White, Of the
Turnpike school, and Master James
Walker, of the Green street school, who
successfully wrote upon the black board
a lesson in music, without the least sug-
gestion or prompting from their teacher.
The exhibition by the Glass was per
feet success, and was better demonstra-
ton than any words could afford of the
practicability of teaching young scholars
elementary music.
Miss Frank Grandey, of the Rutland
Grammar School, was next presented to
the audience, and read the poem entitled.
"Creeds of the Bells" in a most admirable
manner. This dificRlt piece was rendered
with a clearness of expression and
ready fexibility of voice that would have
done credit to professional eloeniiopist.
The hearty applause Of the audience tes-
titled to the appreciation with which the
reading was received.
An exercise in light gymnastics @as
next given by the class, in which the
young pupils went through all the move
ments with surprising accuracy and pre-
cision.
Prof. Mietzke is entitled 10 20 small
praise for the zeal and activity he has
displayed in providing this most interest
ing feature of the proceedings Of THE Az
ISOLATION, and is certainly TO be oongrata-
lated at its entire success.
At the close of the musical exercises.
Mr.. J. S. Cilley, principal of the Brandon
Graded School, delivered the following
address:
MR.. CILLEY's ADDRESS.
To every inquirer after duty, the word