The Portland daily press., 1881-10-17
has stimulated the efforts of every civilized

has stimulated the efforts of every civilized
people to improve and enlarge the means of
educating their youth.
May the great national calanities which we
have suffered, and the great national dangers
to which we are still exposed, lead us to see
that in wise and faithfully followed system
of education for the people lies our only hope
ofspermanent prosperity. We are not to imi-
tate the details of the Prussian system, since
every nation needs to fit the details to its own
need; but we are to initiate that system in
the great things in which our system indeed
long preceded theirs; namely, in setting the
Importance of piety, reverence, love OF coun-
try, love of the race, honesty, truthfulness,
self control, good MORALS and good manners
incomparably above every merely intellectual
pursuit. or merely outward good. Even In
matters of science, the spirit Of truth seeking
the love of truth, is worth immeasurably more
than mere knowledge of details. And in
the civil and social life for which the school is
fitting the pupil the spirit of reverent loyalty
to God, and to the truth, to righteousness and
justice and purity, and to the State as
power ordained of God, is worth more beyond
all power of computation, than mechanical
ingenuity, or commercial enterprise, or any
kind OF knowledge or of intellectual skill.
Long may successive generations OF teachers,
meeting successive generations of children in
these halls, succeed not only in leading
them to make acquisitions of knowledge
and learning, not only in thus putting the keys
of power into their hands; but succeed also
in moulding them into that spirit of self con-
secration which shall make good and useful
members of both church and State, walking in
purity, truth and honor, serving God and
serving men; using their acquired power
Alright; worthy of being compared IN the solid
excellencies of a Christian citizen with the
revered and beloved man whose name the
school shall bear.
AT the conclusion of DR. Hills address @. +.
Libby, ESQ., made few remarks in behalf OF
the school committee. Mr.. Libby said that 1t
was OF the highest Importance to the welfare
aad efficiency of our public schools that the
teachers should be thoroughly educated He
believed that the position of teacher was one
which involved great responsibility, and that
the best talent should be employed. Teachers
should be well paid. The public would one
day realize the necessity OF employing the best
talent 10 mould the minds of our future citi-
zens.
Hon. Henry III. Burgess thanked the school
committee in bshalf of the citizens of Ward
for the wisdom and zeal displayed in erecting
the Smaller School. He believed it supplied
want long felt.
Mr.. Horace Shaw echoed the sentiments Of
Mr.. Libby that we should have good teachers
and that they should be well compensated.
Rev. Mr.. Lindsey made few practical re-
marks. He spoke of the great responsibility
devolving upon the teacher in fitting the chill
dren for their future life work. He believed
edusation should be practical. and that the
great precepts of morality and purity could not
be too strongly impressed upon the minds of
the young. For every so-called literary woman
who welded heself to literary life, ten
would become mothers He referred to Ma
poleon's remark that the future welfare OF the
nation depended upon good mothers.
The exercises ended With America" sung
by the audience.