Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-10-14

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ne second annual meeting of the M.;n,
Asoe'cai Society began at the Conv Hiob
0cnool building on the east side. ve.,.rds-
"ofning at 1870 o'clock, with Rev w
burr OF the Hallowell Classical Ac.d.n,. :.
'he chair. The attendance wa. large COW
pfisihg some Of the most prominent teacher.
!" the State. Among the educator. nre,en,
Yesterday were, Hon. N. A. Luce Of Anon.
ta' State Supt. of Schools; NJ. G. Fe,n.,a
president of the State Agricultural College ,
H. L. Chapman of Bowdoin COLLEGE :.
Messrs' Rounds, Harper, and Stanler
oi the Pennington Normal School, j..
W. j. Corthell and Misses Deer;no .na
heade OF the Gorham Normal School: Prof
rish OF brunswick High School; DIR. J. n
manson and A. l.. Lane of the Waterville
Classical Institute; Supt Thomas fash of
the Portland schools; Profs. G. r. Files q
A. Robertson, and G. 7. Fletcher of Au-
gusta.
AFTER the meeting had been formally
opened. the teachers resolved themselves
INTO committee of the whole" to consider
the educational needs of Maine. Rev. Mr..
howard of Bangor opened the discussion of
the subject: 'Shall this Society recommend
list of text books:" A discussion followed
participated in by Messrs. Rounds, Corthell.
Chapman, Luce, fash, and Fletcher. w.
Harper OF the Pennington Normal School
opened the discussion on: ''Should this State
require a minimum school year ?" Prof,
Fletcher followed him in thoughtful talk
After dinner Ex-Governor Williams of Au-
gusta gave the history of the Cony High
School, from its inception to its completion.
vote of thanks was passed by the peda-
gogues, at the conclusion of the ex-Govern-
or's excellent and interesting address. Pres
ident NJ. C. Fernald of the State College then
spoke at some lenth on sHonors and prizes
as aids to learning in our schools" Although
President Fernald stated that he had prepared
no elaborate essay on the subject and must
speak to large extent extempOraneously,
yet his remarks were most opposite. able,
and admirable. He advocated system of
rewards, basing his reasons largely on
the general principles which operate in
school and in society. The discipline
gained by struggling for prize,
rather then the winning of the trophy itself,
is the valuable thing to the scholar. Life
a struggle for honors and prizes. The speak
er alluded to the valuable prizes offered by the
great educational and scientific societies of
the world, and the stimulus which they gave
to investigation. The prizes offered for
the discovery of new comets have directed
hundred telescopes to sweep the starry
heavens. Rewards are generally won by the
workers; they act as spurs to incite scholars
to honorable effort. President Fernald paid
high and glowing tribute to the power Of
labor, and closed leaving his hearers inspir-
followed by Prof. Chapman Of Bowdoin
College, who dissented from some of his prop
ositions. and presented some powerful argu-
ments and thoughts on the other side, and
other gentlemen.
Notwithstanding the rain which battered
uOWH, tie DaptiSt Ncs1y vas "Si uhSu III
the evening. w. G. Corthell of the Gorham
Normal School, read a thoughtful paper on:
SHOW may we develop the individual more
in our system of Instruction." The discus
sion was opened b. A. l.. Lane Of Water
Vile. After the discussion the remainder Of
the evening was passed in social converse.
The programme for today is varied and of
general interest. Thomas fash of Portland,
will read report Of committee ION course of
study for county schools" At 1910 an lex
perience meeting" will be held, participated
in BY the teachers. In the afternoon paper
is to be read by President Chamberlain of
Bowdoin College. Discussions will follow.
Rev A. w. Burr of the Hallowell Classical
Academy will deliver the annual address in
the evening. most cordial invitation is ex-
tended to the citizens to attend these meet
ings. as they are of great interest and impor-
lance.