The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1882-05-17
The Teachers, Institute.

The Teachers Institute.
Pursuant to the notice given by County
Superintendent Swackhamer, the Teach
ers of Hunterdon County met in their
annual Institute at Reading Academy, in
Pennington, ON Monday last. A goodly
number of the teachers responded
promptly to the call, and gladly welcomed
the three days respite from the trials aud
perplexities Of the school room, that they
might sit at the feet of wisdom aud be
taught. BY invitation, the Rev. Mr..
Rooney, pastor of the Pennington NJ. E.
Church, conducted the religious exercises
attendant upon the opening.
After the announcements by the County
Superintendent, Prof. Hedges, of York,
Pa, was introduced to the Institute, and
occupied the session with very interest
ing and instructive lecture on Sense
Culture. The various topics were fully
illustrated on the blackboard, and prac.
tically demonstrated by arranging the
teachers into classes for recitation. The
second lecture was practical one indeed,
as it had especial reference to the eye and
its treatment, developing the fact that the
many who suffer from defective sight can
trace the cause to improperly lighted aud
carelessly arranged school rooms.
The Mechanical Powers was another
subject most admirably treated by Prof.
Hedges, and tho demonstration ofall these
powers by a simple straight stick had in
it lesson that there is world of infor-
nation and vast amount of illustration
always at the command of the teacher,
and that the successful and faithful ones
will always be ON the alert to instruct
their classes in many things not found in
books, and adapt their teachings to the
practical things in life.
Prof. Houck, Deputy State Superin-
tendent of Pennsylvania, was also present
and addressed the Institute on various
subjects which form a part of the every
day work in the school room.
If space would admit we would be
pleased to give synopsis of the lectures
of these gentlemen, but from the interest
manifested by the teachers, we believe
they will carry the valuable suggestions
to their several schools, and in the results
of their teaching the parents and friends
of the pupils will become acquainted with
them in very practical way. Among
the subjects treated by Prof. Houek, were
Topical Spelling, Reading, History, Geog-
raphy-ani how to teach it, the Common
Errors in Teaching, &c.
Ellis A. Apgar, A. NJ, State superin.
tendent, was expected to be present on
Wednesday, but telegraphed that business
matters prevented consequently it was
deemed advisable to close the exercises
with the morning session of that day
The Chairman of the committee on reso.
lutions read his report, rendering thanks
to all who had in any way participated,
and to the Principal and Trustees of
Reading Academy for the use of the
buildings, &c. An earnest plea was
made by those present that the Institute
should be sustained, and that the teach
ers should enter heart and soul into the
work of every season. Many object to
such association of teachers, but when we
remember that in nearly every depart
ment in life there is the same utilization
among professional as well as tradesmen,
why should not teachers unite to advance
themselves in their very important calling ?
Working men have their leagues, medical
men their societies, ministers their con
ferences, political men their conventions,
campaign parades &c, to drum up an
interest, surely, then, those who have the
responsibility of training immortal souls,
Or of fitting the boys and girls of our land
to occupy positions of trust, should as
semble for mutual improvement in the
means and methods for such work.
Monday evening Prof. IIouck lecturcd
in the Court House on a "Plea for the
Young" On Tuesday evening Prof
IIeiges lectured in the same place on
Dame Natures Seeming Absurdities. +"
Both of these lectures were very in
structive aud highly entertaining, and
Notwithstanding the very inclement
weather, were well attended. Should
these gentlemen again visit us they will
find a hearty welcome. Our State Su-
perintendent is to be complimented in Sc
curing such earnest men to conduct the
Institute, as they truly have endeared
themselves to the teachers of the county
and the friends of education generally
HunterdoR Democrat