Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1883-03-14
The Methodist Seminary.

The winter term Of this institution closed on
Friday. Tho general public Ia aware that the
school began the present school year under a new
management The trustees assumed the direct
control, made the Rev. J. d. Beeman president
and placed him at the head OF business affairs.
Under his energetic administration new life has
been Infused into the school. The efficacy Of his
labors appears In great increase In attendance,
the fall term showing gain over the correspond
ing term OF the previous year OF fifty-one per
cent and for the winter term sixty-two per cent
President Beeman has no part In the instruction.
his time being devoted exclusively TO matters OF
administration. His attention extends to the de-
tails OF local management, az well as 10 the larger
matters affecting the general policy and welfare
Of the school, Comfortable spring beds In the
dormitories and culinary department In the gen.
eral boarding house that provides boarders with
generous and we'll cooked fare Indicate good as
well as Notwithstanding by attending to the phys
ical wants Of the pupils. Eighty spring beds
present OF a 81, 600 cabinet organ from Peloubet
Co., New York, and grand upright piano
worth $3.50 from A. L. Bailey OF st. Johnsbury
and six gifts aegregating "a, 100 toward paying
off floating debt OF 81 600 are some OF the larger
material incidents OF the new administration. In
the work OF the local management Mr. Beeman
Is faithfully assisted by his wife Mrs. Mary L.
Beeman, an experienced teacher and preceptress
OF the institution. In the kindly care and vigil
| ance which Is exercised over the young ladies
and gentlemen not only by Mr. and Mrs
Beeman but by the entire faculty, parents have
| a strong assurance that their sons and daugh-
ters may be safely entrusted to this school.
Rev. II. A. Bishop, principal, Is at the head OF a
competent corps OF teachers. The instruction,
which aims at practical thoroughness In every
| department, covers wide range, embracing the
common and higher English branches, the natu-
| raj sciences, the languages and Is particularly
complete and efficient In the art and music de
partments, Competent critics, qualified by res
idence and experience In foreign countries as
well as this, speak In high terms Of the instruc-
| ton In the languages, ancient and modern.
| like degree OF panstaking care seems to be ex-
ercised In all the branches taught. Specimens OF
painting examined were alike complimentary to
| the talents Of the pupils In the art department
and to the quality OF the instruction. Fwo organs
and four pianos are in continuous use for practice
| by the pupils In music. A competent instructor
In elocuion has been added to the corps OF teach
| ers for the spring term. Mr.. B. M. Huxley OF
4 Brooklyn, who has been secured for this impor
| tant position, Is highly recommended by the
| heads OF leading educational institutions In New
York and New England. Good reading and
speaking, as ASSOCIATED from the STACEY theatri-
| cal airs commonly suggested by instruction In
elocution is the Significance OF this appointment
and these are the aims OF Mr.. Huxley's methods
strong religious element runs through all the In
struction. lively religious interest Is maintained
and finds expression In the customary devotional
exercises and In the prayer meeting sustained
| by the students Regular attendan 70 upon some
chosen church on the Sabbath Is strictly enjoined
While the school Is UNCONVENTIONAL in its admin
istration, its nonsecarian In the character Of the
instruction. and canvass OF the religious pre-
ence OF the pupils shows that the attendance Is
decidedly non-secta,ian The discipline Of the
| school seems to be firm and wholesome while IL
Is tempered with genial element OF which the
| broad shouldered president Is a living personif-
cation. 1t is not forgotten that all work and no
play makes Jack dull boy" ADJUSTMENTS OF a
salutaiy character at proper times are not only
| permitted but encouraged and devised by the
| management. So successful has been the admin
istration In this respect that no necessity has
arisen for hunting up any truant student In the
streets OF the village The school edice IL beau
tifu for situation" and IL itself fine structure.
| Its spacious halls light and cheerful recitation
rooms, are delight to the devotees Of learning.
The boarding house has front Of one hundred
and forty feet with three wings OF eighty feet.
| The central wing Is for dning-room and kitchen,
| the outer wings and the main building for dor
mitories parlors and apartments of the officers.
The corridors extend along the inner walls so that
| all the rooms look outward and they are sunny,
| pleasant apartments. Two large buildings on
| each side of the boarding house are for the &C
commodation Of self boarders and are suitably
furnished for this purpose The institution Is
also the owner OF large amount Of valuable real
| estate adjoining the school grounds. 1t 10 the
| possessor OF some of the most desirable building
lots In that vicinity. The value Of this institu.
ton can hardly be estimated The material fact
that 1t annually leaves about $4,000 in the vii.
lage IL the least OF its advantages. Many families
| have come in and taken up their residence In
close proximity TO the school for the education Of
their children. Situated a little remote from the
heart OF the village and somewhat cut of from
1t, 1t Is perhaps not surprising that little Ii
| known or understood by the people generally OF
| the value OF an institution Of this character
which adds large and most desirable colony to
the population OF the Village and exerts so strong
| an influence upon the moral welfare Of this
| locality and the state at large A more intimate
acquaintance with this factor in the general pros
perity and an occasional word and deed OF on.
enlargement and appreciation on the part OF the
citizens is a recognition fairly due to the officers
and supporters OF this institution