Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-07-18
American Institute Of Instruction.


Never has Montpelier been the scene of
more successful gatherings gathering
more beneficial in its results to all con-
cerned-than on the occasion of the meet
ing of the American Institute of lnstruc-
ton, which was held here last week, com
mencing on Tuesday evening, and closing on
Thursday evening. The Institute was or
ganized forty-eight years ago for the pur-
pose of furthering the work of education
and setting up a standard of excellence to-
ward which the teacher might aim, and
which would set the teachers calling upon
an equal footing with the other professions.
During the first years of its existence it was
dependent on state funds for its sustenance,
and in time began to show signs OF weak
ness. Several years ago party OF promi-
nent instructors met at North Adams, Mass,
to consider the condition of the association
portion of those present had come with
the expectation Of being called upon to
bury" the "remains " Of the Institute,
and the funeral Grafton was already pre-
pared. But resoute and enthusiastic men
who were present said the Institute should
no, die. They threw of the dependence
upon state aid and determined to make it
self-supporting organization. What the re-
suit has been is apparent to all. From that
time until the present the Institute has been
gaining strength, and now numbers OVER
six hundred members. That it is doing a
grand work cannot be denied and the large
numbers present on this occasion is sufii'
cient evidence that the benefits resulting
therefrom are shared and appreciated by all
teachers throughout New England. And
how could it be otherwise-how can other
than good result from such an organization
Once each year the earnest teacher-from
the primary and higher schools-meets
his fellow-t teachers in convention. Coming
IA contact with those who are veterans
III the service-men OF great mind-he
catches instruction as it falls from their
lps he is made more liberal in his views !;
he is made to see the responsibility and no.
bility OF his calling. Strengthened and in
spired anew, he goes back to the work OF
the schoolroom to put in practice what he
has learned and through all his life he
reaps the benefit Of those few days of asso-
citation with his ADMINISTRATORS.
Taking the word of the president him
self, this meeting oil the Institute was the
largest ever had and it was most enthusiastic
throughout. Among the prominent gentle
men present were President Bicknell; Pro
fessor Hardness, OF Brown University; |. n.
Carleton. A. NJ, of Connecticut; Professor
w. Nj. Barbour, d. d., of Bangor, Maine
President Runkle, of the Boston Institute
of Technology Hon. P. Emory Aldrich, OF
Worcester. Mass. Professor Rugges, Of
Hanover n. H.; President Hubert, of Mid.
dleburv Principal Merrill, of the Boston
Latin School Professor Churchill of An.
dover and A. d. Mayo, A. NJ, OF Massachu.
sets. Six state superintendent were also
present and gave short addresses.
We know we speak the sentiments of oul
citizens when we say that we were glad t,
welcome the members of the Institute I,
our village among the Green Mountains
We were glad to open our doors to them