The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1875-08-25
East Tennessee Teachers Insti-
fute.

| superintendent, bIO 11zASb 1CIluCSSCS
| Teachers Institute convened at this
| place, Thursday, August 18th. The
meeting was called to order by
Prof. S. y. Sharp of Marysille, and
Rev, Geo. d. French of Morristown
offered a forcible prayer for the sue
cess of the Institute. On motion Of
S. 2, Sharp. II. NJ. Sherwood of Ham
blen was chosen President, and T.
c.. Harms of Knox, Secretary. There
were about forty-five teachers pres
ent, among whom were some of the
most eminent teachers in the State.
The most prominent teachers were,
DR.. David Sullins Of Bristol, Prof.
II. Presnell of JOnesboro,' Rev. w.
B. Rankin of Greeneyille, Rev. A.
/ W. Wilson of .Rogersyille, Prof. j.
A. Carriger of Morristown, Profes-
sors Brown and Russell of Messy
Creek, Prof. NJ. C. Butler Of Knox
vile, and Prof. Sharp of Maryville.
The following County Superinten
dents were in attendance: T.aC.
Karns of Knox, w. HI. Giesler of
Sullivan, FL. PresneIl of Washington
III. G. Boyd of Carter, j. c. Park of
Greene, B. r. Legg of Granger, H.
NJ. Sherwood of Hamblen. d. G.
Emert of Sewer and w. S. Cate Of
Bradley. The forenoon of the first
day was devoted to class-drill in
Reading. Primary Arithmetic. Cram
mar, and the Vocal Elements. Miss
M. S. Slemmons of Jonesboro' was
appointed critic. The recitation of
the class in Reading, conducted by
Prof. NJ. G. Butler, excited consid-
cradle interest and some discussion.
The class in Primary Arithmetic,
showed clearly the Importance of
thorough drill. Prof. A. w. Wilson,
who taught the class in Grammar,
gave his method of starting class
in the most difficult branch. The
easy natural manner in which be
presented the subject, would rob it
of half its terrors to the young mind.
There was some discussion as to the
propriety Of using the term 'Gram-
mar in connection with such les
SONS. Some thought the very aooTd
would impress the beginner with the
idea of difficulty, and preferred the
term Language Lessons" Others
thought that term might, if SO used,
soon come into disrepute also, and
wanted to know if they would then
90 back to the word ''Grammar.'
! The recitation in the Vocal Ele-
ments, continued by Prof. Hastings
of Knoxville, elected considerable
discussion, and proved that it was
impossible for Tennesseeans and
their friends from the North to agree
upon that subject. The afternoon
was devoted to discussions. On the
subject of Primary Instruction, !"
the discussion was opened by t. C..
Karnes. All parties concurred in
the opinion as to the Importance of
/ thorough primary instruction. Prof.
Sharp opened the discussion on
"Grade6 Schools and Professors
Wilson, Butler, Presnell and others,
participated. Their advantages and
their disadvantages were pretty
clearly set forth. On the subject OF
"School Government" there was
considerable diversity of opinion,
but the whole discussion tended to
show that our schools are improving
in this respect. Teachers are ceas-
ing to depend on corporal punish
ment. and learning to govern their
pupils by appealing to their honor.
This is indeed progress. The even.
ing was devoted to speeches and
essays. interspersed with music.
Rev. w. B. Rankin of Greeneville,
delivered an extemporaneous ad.
dress upon the History Of Eduea.
ton in Tennessee" which was high
ly interesting. Prof, Sharp read an
excellent paper upon the National
Method of INSTRUCTION." and Prof.
John Collins another, upon the
"Qualities of good Teacher which
paper he denominated "a two-hours
Lecture condensed into an Essay OF
five minutes" This, though short,
was exceedingly spicy. The music
was excellent. and all parties seemed
highly pleased. So ended the first day,
On the morning OF the second day
the Institute was called to order al
8 o'clock. and the exercises opened
with prayer by the Rev. DIR. Sullins.
The critics remarks were then read,
and proved highly entertaining.
The bashful young gentlemen. who
sit and gnaw their finger-nails. re-
ceived passing touch, and the older
more experienced, and more self
important gentlemen, who are ever
ready to be heard on such occasions
were not forgotten. w. I. Cate
was then appointed critic OF the day.
During the forenoon the exercises
were particularly Instructive. The