The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-04-30
A ModnI Tenehnr.

A Model Teacher.
In the April number Of the American
9 Annals Of the Deaf and Dumb" we find a
!, very appreciatiye sketch Of Edward Col.
Inns Stone, late Principal Of the Hartford
deaf.mute asylum, wrought by the def as
well as loving hand Of his fellow. teacher,
Richard s, Storrs. It is Of exceptional
interest and value, not alone In memoriam
for It's vivid portralture OF beautiful
character, but also for It's educational sug.
gestions, and deserves wider notice than
would naturally fall to It's lot in the special
field Of the above.mentioned quarterly.
Mr.. Stone, son Of father distinguished In
the same line, Rev. Collins Stone, after
graduating at Yale began his career
as a deat-mute teacher at the age
OF twenty-five, serving two years
| In the. Ohio institution, four at Hart.
ford, then two years Us principal OF the
Wisconsin institution, and then eight
years principal at Hartford, his untimely
death occurring at the age Of 80. A dill.
hdent, retiring aud retiCent man, lacking
In personal magnetism, entirely without
seif.assertion or any OF these dominant
qualities which arc strikingly associated
with executive ability, he was quietly and
singulArly successful In the discharge OF
his various delicate and important trusts.
The head.ship OF the oldest deaf.nute in.
stitution In the United States presented 10
him at the early age Of 81 trying RESPONSE.
biliues and complex difficulties, before
which he never shrank or wayered, The
last years OF his service, like the first,
found him growing In the esteem Of his I
official associates, In the love ofhis pupils,
and in the respect and confidence OF ali
who met him In the various contacts of |
life. ......|.
Mr.. Storrs delneates with a careful and
discriminating hand the secrets Of this smc.
cess, First Of all, singular sweetness,
gent!eness and unselfshness OF spirit, that
ruled outal iealousies, personal ambitions,
limitations and antagonism ola super.sensi.
tive spirit; added TO this and happily sup.
plementing 1t, physical temperament
OF remarkable poise and equanimity, I'm
derneath his gentleness was quiet, I'm.
ostentattous lirmness, and between the
two It was difficult for criticism to make a
stand, or for INSTRUMENTATION to survive.
With sound practical judgment was unit.
ed a receptive and inquiring habit,
modest and interrogative genius for listen.
ing to suggestions from without, while at
the same time he was maturing his own
purposes, to be held on occasion with n
manly tenacity. No self conCeit ever
barred reintorcements from the expert
ence OF others. While never driven and
tossed by new convictions, he was always
hospitable to them. He was ever ready
with the most generous recognition Of !
skill and experience in hisfellow.teache
He delighted to encourage their indepen.
dent enthusiasm never had 1t in his mind
to monopolze the credit of all progress:
nor ever asserted the autocratic shirt
which is uneasy lest It's own presence and
pressure be not telt and owned.
Above all, Mr.. Stones single eve and
concentration OF purpose on his one work
told constantly. and powerfully upon his
success. No other ambition had he than
to do with all his might his whole duty in
his chosen sphere. Every talent, expert
ence and opportunity was made tributary
TO the pleasure and profit Of bis pupils, in =
whom and for whom he so largely lived.
1t was q service, too, not only Of human
sympathies, but OF the deepest and tender
est Christian conservation. His sincere
and unobtrusive piety was IN atmosphere
that pervaded with its unconscious light
and sweetness both his official and his
private life. Mr.. Storrs gives the beautiful
qualities that have been briefly indicated
a harmonious setting in the framework OF
his friends domestic life and biographical
surroundings. He finishes the sketch Of
his official career with this touching and
hearty tribute:
"By the silent yet subduing power Of
this life, so gentle, unselfsh, sincere, and
faithful, not the writer alone, but ali his
associates, confessed themselves daily in
structed In the highest requisites for such
position. For themselves, therefore.
and for all OF Mr.. Stones co-workers,
wherever they may be, they would draw
from theearthly life now closed this single
and sufficient lesson-that not in com.
handing presenter not In lncision and
compelling way; not even in prompt
and all pervasive will alone, lies the
final secret Of a principals strength and
final success; but that, more than in any
or all oil these popularly esteemed endow-
ments, this secret Is to lie found in that
patient, sincere, unselfish fidelity and
love-the rarest and highest OF human
traits which the life we have been tracing
so sWeetlv and 80 signally illustrates"