Middletown transcript., 1875-10-30
The Teachers, Institute.


The first annual institute Of the
teachers Of New Castle co., convened bJ
order of State Superintendent Groves,
began its opening session in the Town
Hall, Middletown. on Thursday morn.
ing at II o'clock. Superintendent
Groves presided and Miss Ludie Ely
and H. Sharpley acted as secretaries.
There was a pretty large attendance Of
teachers though some were absent.
probably unavoidably detained. The
exercises began with prayer by Rev
j. A. Stone, Of the P. E. Church Of
Newark, followed by choice vocal
music BY Mr.. Chas. T. Stratton, tenor,
assisted by Miss Marion Hurn, soprano,
Miss Lizzie Blackiston, contralto. and
Mr.. j. L. Gibson, bass. Mr.. R. L.
Price at the organ. The Superintend-
ent then addressed the assemblage on
the nature and objects Of the Institute.
At the opening Of the afternoon session
an invitation was extended for general
discussion Of the question What are
the best incentives to study" The
debate was opened by President Pur-
nell, of Delaware College, who thought
that children could be induced to keep
their attention upon their books by
having the example Of great men held
up before them for imitation and from
q sense Of duty to themselves and par
ents. The next speaker, Prof. Har-
Ian, Of Wilmington, thought that a
present reward probably on the theory
that bird in the hand is worth two
In the bush--would have far greater
effect upon the ambition Of school boys
than any prospects Of becoming Wash
ingtons, Napoleons. Demosthenes or
Ciceros. Following the leadership of
the pioneers others Joined in the debate
and the4 interchange Of views became
pretty general. = Among the questions
in answer to the Superin-
tendent's invitation. was s.What course
should be pursued with boy when all
persuasive means have failed" One
gentlemen thought that in such cases
Solomon's advice about the rod would
eifcund very serviceable. Eyes, asaid
> lady, '.but suppose you were a lady
and couldn't whip him; how then"
We didn't hear the answer, but she
might get her big brother, or somebody
else's, to whip him for her. In the
evening lectere, entitled "A Plea Cor
was delivered by W. Fl.
Purnell, LII. D. of Delaware college.
This was followed by short, but ex-
,elient extempore address by Prof.
Of Bucks county, Pennsyl-
vania, in which the speaker talked as
;hough be- was complete master of his
subject. In our humble opinion the
Views expressed by Mr.. W. had the
light sound. We regret that we can
not present them to our readers. Mr..
q. Sharply then entertained the audi
snce by recitiug, in creditable man
,erH The Bachelors Sale ''and "Rosey's
Kissing"
The morning session was opened
With prayer by Rev. r. Graham, fol-
owed by music from the choir, then q
'elect reading BY s. E. Shurz, after
which the question 'tWhat is the best
method Of teaching spelling to young
was discussed by Prof.
Woodruff. At the close of Prof. W's
remarks recess Of few minutes was
aiken. On reassembling, an animated
lebate sprang up between Prof. Har-
an, Rev. J A. Stone, Profs. Wood
.uff and W. A. Reynolds in regard to
he best method Of teaching the
alphabet.
The following resolutions were pre-
'ented and unanimously adopted:
Resolced, That the Institute hereby recon-
nends the formation Of a State Teachers As
,ociation and suggests that preliminary
meeting for organization be held in Whining
lon, on Thursday, the 2sth day of December,
1875,
Resoleed, That Prof. D. Harlan, Superin-
endent Of Public Schools Of Wilmington,
,ided by four members Of the Institute ap-
pointed by the Chairman, be requested to
make the necessary arrangements for holding