Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-08-19
TEACHING THE TEACHERS.
The Belmont County Teachers
Institute.
Correspondence of the Register.


MARTINS FERRY, August 18th.
The Belmont County Teachers Insti-
tute convened in the Presbyterian
Church at O'Clock p. NJ, and was opened
with devotional exercises by DIR. +. i.
White, President of Purdee University,
LAFAYETTE, Ind. The first lesson in the
way of an Introductory talk on the words
"Connotatien" and "Connote," was
given by Hon. w d. Henkle, of Salem,
editor of the Ohio Educational Monthly.
The principle thought was that we
should teach the meaning OF words and
the thoughts connected with them rather
than only the words.
Hon. J. J. Burns, State Commission
er of Schools, followed with an intro.
duction to his subject which is to be
1.-THE School Law" especially i'll its re-
lation TO teachers.
DIR. White gave an opening lesson on
Teaching" taking up the subject Of the
difference between "a lesson" and "a
recitation" and showing how each has
its place in our American system OF ed
ucation.
The attendance of teachers in the af-
ternoon was light, as it usually is on the
opening day OF institutes.
An audience respectable both in num-
bers and quality assembled at night to
listen TO a lecture from DR.. White on
"The Inner Life" The speaker began
by stating that we have a dual life
there is the outer life and the inner life.
The inner life will determine what the
outer shall be, il shows in the cOunte-
nance. A beautiful soul will shine
through, and the hideous passions OF
darkness will disfigure the countenance,
however fair it may appear at first.
Painting and sculpture illustrate this
well. The true painter can delineate
character. Not only the countenance,
but the voice reveals the inner life. A
fine illustration of this Is the
tact that Miss Dix could by
her voice calm many who
were raging maniacs. Another lady by
her voice could melt TO tears a shipIoad
OF convicted felOns. The voice is great
revealer of the spirit back. The laugh
is another indication OF character. The
sound Of certain laughs shows an empty
head. Even the smile shows character.
Our manners are great revealers OF our
lives. They are but the outward ex-
preston ofthe inner life. Our language
is another revealer of our character. the
inner life is the secret OF failure or sue
cess. Some souls are more transparent
than others. Some show only through
painted windows, while some hide their
purposes inthe very cellar of the soul, but
all concealment is vain, the true char
acter will reveal itself. Witness the
defalcation of many men in prominent
positions who have had the confidence
of all their fellowmen. The character is
dependent upon thought. That study
is OF practical value which develops and
requires thought.
The teacher who can inspire his
pupils with a love OF study and
rouse them to higher life is the
soul Of school. The teacher is the
great fact of the school room. Moral
character in the teacher is the
great essential in the school room.
The formation OF habits is caused by
continued repetitions OF the same act.
Habits of thought are formed by con-
slant yielding to the same impulses.
The great importance OF cultivating right
habits OF thought and action is incalcula-
BILE. Our influence is the outflow OF