The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-10-31


fotmatory machinery was reversed. From
Wednesday evening to Saturday noon
twenty-three formal addresses, on quite as
many different topics, were arranged.
Morning, afternoon and evening the tide
of preaching from educational texts flowed
on, without relieving hymn or experience
meeting. Two sermons for one day in
seven is considered generous allowance
of theologic pabulum. An audience OF
school marms and masters that could di-
gest twenty-three formal discourses on
miscellaneous subjects, with more or less
of general exhortation, in about two and
one-half days, must have been credited
with an intellectual organism as energetic
as the stomach of an ostrich. So many
subjects, even if it were desirable to con-
slider all of them at any time, could not be
proftably discussed in 80 short time.
There was waste of time and strength
that, with great advantage, might have
been devoted to calculating to young and
expectant teachers the methods by which
successful instruction can best be con-
veyed. The reading classes introduced
at the December session gave hint of the
possibilities which exist in this feature of
an order of proceedings. Professor Thomp.
sons music lesson, described in the report
of last weeks proceedings, reenforces the
hint and it is hoped that the executive
committee will heed it in making up the
programme for next year. There is no
apparent reason why skilled instructor
in arithmetic, in grammar, in geography,
or in any of the other branches taught in
the schools-not forgetting the good old
fashioned accomplishments, reading, writ
ing and spelling-may not with equal
success and in like manner unfold tried
and effective methods of instruction to
the hundreds of unframed teachers who
attend these meetings animated by a sim
cere desire to learn something, to catch
some suggestion, that shall help them in
the needy district schools to which they
minister. Congratulations, glittering or
otherwise, do not fill the bill. Something
specific is needed, and the older, the well
trained teachers, by example as well as
precept, should enlighten the raw recruits.
In profession in which the great body
of the practitioners are women, and are to
be women, it was noticeable that no one
of the many intelligent and capable
women teachers in the state had parts in
the exercises. They certainly should not
decline assignments, nor should they be
able to plead by way of explanation of
their non.appearance on the bills that they
have had no assignments to decline. 1t
was sometimes apparent during the read
ing of paper or the delivery of an ad-
dress that the principal of school may
be good instructor but an unsuccessful
essayist. Some of these efforts were dis
tinguished by their "learned length " and
lack of point, while an occasional bright,
extemporaneous speech was short and
sweet with the very essence of specific,
Ineligible and helpful discourse.
Notwithstanding obvious errors of
omission and commission, the work the or
ganization has done merits high CON-
mendation. Its officers, and particularly
its executive committee, which has borne
the brunt of the labors incident to organ
izing and holding the late meetings, de-
serve more than a hackneyed word of &C.
acknowledgement. 1t is in no conventional
spirit that the honor due is rendered for
the self-sacrifcing labors, the energy and
enthusiasm its members have displayed
in the discharge of their difficult duties.
In ways which cannot be catalogued good
will come out of this gathering. The
meeting together of 30 large number OF
men and women engaged in common
cause is source of inspiration. 1t de-
velops an esprit de corps which imparts
character and consequence to its mem
bers. Encouragement and Indictment
are caught from contact with kindred
spirits. In comparing notes, in socia
discussions, in the friction of rival theo
ries and methods, progress is made. Sucf
an assembly is a kind of teachers ex
change, to which each brings his own ex
perience and professional wealth, ant
takes away that of his fellow members
The public as we'll as the teacher guile
should unite heartily in encouraging thi
organization, and the organization shoult
earnestly devote itself to a course of man
agement which by its attractiveness ant
its usefulness shall enlist the enthusiastic
support of the twenty-five hundred teach
ers in the state, instead of the Indifferent
allegiance of 1.-THE of that number.
New YORK TRIBUNE: "The letter
addressed to US in reference to our e,
posure of the abuses of divorce are pilin
up proofs of what we said long ago, ths