Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-08-22
National Association of Teachers.

proceedings of the meeting might De Oh
interest to some of your readers.
The association is composed OF promi- |
nent teachers, both men and women, |
in all pats Of the country, and the SIGHT |
of presidents, professors, principals OF
Normal and High schools, superlnten-
dents of public instruction in several
States, and ladies from various parts OF
the country, eminent as teachers, all as
sembled in convention, for the promo
ton of the great cause of education, was
glorious to behold, while the enlarged
views of education expressed in earnest
words. together with the manifest zeal
of all in their chosen work, gave to the
children and youth of the land assurance
of still greater good to be received at
the hands of their teachers, and to the
country the promise of still brighter days
to come The subjects presented in the
addresses, and the topics discussed, are
Of deep and lasting interest to the ear
nest teacher, ard though there were, as
usual, differences of opinion in regard
to the subjects proper to be taught in
different schools, and in respect to the
WAYS and means to be used in teaching,
vet in all that was said and done there
was manifested a spirit of earnest in
quiry for the best way and the best
means. Many important questions in
regard to their work are now agitating
the minds of teachers throughout the
land, and earnest, honest discussion will
do much for their correct solution. In
| deed such discussion in the past has al
ready produced great unanimity in many
particulars and it is certain, think, that
more enlightened views and greater har-
| mony in action will be the result of agi-
! tation and discussion in the meeting at
| Boston. In one thing in particular there
was from the beginning of the meeting
! to its close the most perfect agreement.
1t was this-thOugh there should be
the utmost thorOughness in scientific in
| instruction, and 50 a careful training of
| the mental powers. vet a higher and
more important work is to train the pu-
/ pil to manhood, for citizenship, for the
! y.
short. it was the unanimous voice of the
meeting. 50 far as heard, that while the
teacher should earnestly seek for the full
andharmOnious development of the phys
zeal powers of the pupil. he should re-
gard moral culture still more important
both as regards the pupil himself and so
ciety at large. | believe that sentiment
found response in the hearts of all pres
t I
| generally are feeling more and more
their responsibility in regard to the NOR
al training of the pupil. and in this there
is brighter hope for society and the cOun-
try.
I can speak of the exercises only in
general terms for the most part, yet /
cannot forbear to speak in particular of
the address of Or. Mayo, Of Ohio, on
the Methods of Moral Instruction in
Public Schools" and that of Mr.. Bate
man of Illinois, on compulsory atten-
dance at School" both of which were
able and eminently practical, the latter
especially so. Would that those having
authority in that matter in Vermont and
who vet allow the absence of those who
should be in shcoOl, had herad that adj
dress. to be moved by its arguments and
its appeals and | think it would be well
u III ....-1 E
for Vermont had the moral sense OF
some OF our teachers, not present beeh
reused by tne address OF llr. Mayo. IL
was Impossible Tor one to near all that
was sald during the meeting, as the as
soclauon was divided INTO -FOUR depart
mehtS curing inc afternoon OF eacn cav
namely, lhe department. OF elementary ar
instruction. tae Norman department. .he
department or Superlhtendence, ana the
department OF higher instruction, ana
each person IN attendance was at liberty
to enter either department as the wish
might dlrect. Inc discussions IN each
department. were generally interesting
and lnstrucliVe'aS learned cIther by oD-
serYatlon or report. Positions taken
always Sounu' p9' as d Sene5 5 'nlnS 'Ile