Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-01-01
THE INSTITUTE.
before.

convened in the Court House at Belle
fonte, on Tuesday morning, Dec. 80,
1879, and continued four days. Two
sessions were held each day during
which all questions pertaining to the
science of teaching were exhaustively
treated. Eminent instructors from
several state normal schools were pre-
sent, and no paius were spared to rem
der the Institute OF as much practical
benefit to the schools of our county AS
it's most saaguine friends could desire,
One hundred and sixty two active
teachers were in attendance. These
together with the number not actively
engaged, were near two hundred and
twenty.
DR.. n G. Schaaffer, Pfin. Keystone
State Normal School was present eaca
day and much of the success of the In
Stitute is attributed to his untiring ef-
forts in that direction. His labors
were principally devoted to clear ex-
position Of matters bearing directly on
the science of Pedagogics, and his ma
ny talks and lectures proved his fitness
for the exalted position he occupies.
He is pleasant gentleman and an en-
terIaining speaker. Misses Della T.
Smith and J. Ettie Crane, Of the Ship.
pensburg Normal School, had charge,
respectively, of the English Grammar,
Composition &c, and Vocal Music de-
.partmentS. Miss Smith is a gifted
speaker-never hesitating a moment
for the proper word and never mistak
ing the application of ahv one she may
chose to use. Size made sad havoc of
some Of our established principles and
proved conclusively that the study of
Grammar and kindred branches can be
RENDERED easy and pleasant. Miss
Crane exploded the theories advanced by
many Of our teachers IN regard to
teaching Vocal Music in our common
schools. She illustrated her method by
means of classes and ample blackboard
exercises. She advocates the adoption
by our teachers of the rote system and
gave to Vocal Music in Centre county
an impetus that will long be apprecia.
ted. As musician she has few equals
and as a teacher nd superiors. Her
playing and singing invariably "broujJht
doacn the house"
The event of tie week was the lee
ture of DR.. G.. p. Hayes on Character
and Manners" on Wednesday evening.
The dissertation was one calculated to
be the means of doing much good.
He held his audience spell bound for
more than an hour and when he closed
each listener appeared 10th to retire.
Each and all felt themselves wiser and
happier by hearing the talented and
cultured President of one of our most
valued educational institutions.
On Thursday evening Rev. D X.
Nesbit, or Pittsburg, delivered his lec-
ture on "SHoDDY" to large and ap-
preciative audience. The lecturer held
up to public gaze all manner OF decep-
tim in social circles, and the style In
which he exposed the various ways of
assuming and maintaining false appear
anees elicited fr om his hearers prolong.
ed and not to-be- mistaken applause.
We also desire to notice some of oul
own talent-Prof. w. A. Krise, of
Gregg, on "Methods of Instruction..
A series of able and beneficial short
lectures. Prof. G: L. Granny, of Re
bersburg, read an ably prepared
paper in defence of Mental Arith.
mstic. The Prof. has, apparent
ly, no patience with those who would
desire to see this important branch
stricken off the list Of studies. DIR. G.
G. Zeigler, of Penn, in his talk on
American Literature" gave the Insti-
tute to understand that he had an ex-
tensive knowledge of all oul writer's.
Gen. Beaver, w. G. Heinle, ESQ.,, Prof.
A. n. Raub, Of Lock Haven, +. III.
Rankin, Esq, Supt. Magee, of Clinton
Co. and Others spoke with telling effect
at different times.
The utmost good feeling prevailed
throughout the entire session and there
can be no doubt that all were benefit.
ed. An effort was made to have the
time OF holding the Institute changed,
the time proposed was before the term
opened, the suggestion was received
with disgust by the majority of the
members.
1n closing we have only to say that
they who were unable to attend lost
more educationally than they could
have gained financially. The Institute
is intended for the teachers-oU of
them, and it is worthy their united
support. ".