The Portland daily press., 1884-10-18
THE PEDAGOGUEs.
Yesterdays Session of the Maine Society
The COmmiffees-Oiher Matters.

Yesterday session OF the Maine Society
The COmmitfees-Other Matters.
The session ofthe Maine Pedagogical Society
was continued this morning at Reception Hall
in City Building, with full attendance. In
addition to the distinguished educators pres
ent yesterday were Hon. Thomas W. Bicknell
of Boston, l.. G. Jordan OF Lewiston, Superin-
tendent B. P. Snow of Biddeford, Principal q.
@. Rounds. of Plymouth, n. H, T. b. Brown
of Westbrook, and A. f. Richardson Of Frye
burg.
After prayer by Rev. B. p. Snow, the presi-
dent announced the following committees:
Instruction d. G. Jordan, Lewiston; George b
Flies. Augusta Miss Sarah NJ. Taylor. Portland.
Resolutions-B. o. McIutire Kent's Hill; FEC.
Robbins. DeeriDg; Sarah NJ. Ricl er Waterville.
Membership-C. @. Rounds, Plymouth, N. H.; A.
L. Lane, Waterville; ID II. Dole, Portland; Mary
e. Wilder, Hallowell; Helen E. G. Beedy, Farming
ton.
The society then proceeded to adopt the nual
reports Of the committee on moral instruction
and geometry. Before adopting the report on
geometry, remarks were made by Super
intendent Snow of Biddeford and Principal
Jordan of Lewiston.
Mr. Snow would use the object method to a
certain extent in geometry, would cultivate
VIZ AH@eAi1oNOh 40 AhE as pOooiUl6 III tue 6LQQYs
and would express entire appreciation of the
report.
Principal Jordan thought the method en-
bodied in the report would tend to popularize
the study Of geometry.
Next followed very suggestive paper ON
geography by Superintendent B. P. Snow OF
Biddeford.
After a recess of fifteen minutes the society
listened to an eloquent address by Gen. II. B.
Darlington Of Boston on teaching history. The
address was we'll received and Gen. Caring
toI was loudly aDplauded at the close.
Ihe meeting this morning was q very large
one and filed Reception Hall to overfiowiDg.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session OF the Pedagogical
Society was one Of the largest in it's history.
Reception Hall was full, even to standing
room, and many were unable to obtain en-
trance. Among the new arrivals of distin-
guished teachers were Professors r. @. Robin.
son OF Brunswick, and e. w. Hall OF
Wa'erville; Principals w. Harper OF Farming
ton, Charles Fish OF Brunswick, A. P. Soule or
Dexter, and w. W. Mayo OF Hebron.
Following the reading of the inmates Of the
morning session came a presentation of Il Q
subject OF Professional Reading for Teach
ers." by Principal @. O. Rounds OF Plymouth,
n. IL. DIR. Rounds discussed the question
from several points Of view, among viii b
were ~ a knowledge Of the science OF mind;
~, OF education as a science; (3, of the his
tGry OF education; az, the art of education.
Under each topic list OF the most helpful
books was given. The whole subject was
treated quite extensively, and showed the
speaker to have an extensive knowledge Of the
literature of education.
Hon. Thos. w Bicknell followed DR..
Rounds IN few well chosen remarks, which
were well received BY the audience.
Next succeeded q paper on "a Course Of
Stady for UDgraded Schools" by Mr.. Haskell
0I % the school committee o: New Gloucester.
lne scheme OF graduating pupils from the
common schools has been tried in New Glou.
cester with very gratifying success, the werk-
ing OF which was described in Mr. Hasksllia
paper. Principal William Harper followed
In the discussion, emphasizing the points pre-
sented in the paper. From the discussion wa
learn that the graduating system is now in
successful operation in three towns in Maine:
namely, New Sharon, New Gloucester and In.
dustry, the towns being named in the order in
which the experiment had been tried.
Next followed paper upon Natural Science
IN the Common and Lover Grade Schools, by
IL. M. Estabrook of Gorham Owing to the
latenass OF the hour the discussion of the
paper was postponed till after DR.. Peppers
lecture in the evening.
EVENING SESSION.
The evening session of the Pedagogical Soci.
ely was held at the First Baptist church. Az
ter prayer by the pastor. Rev. DIR. Small, came
the address to the society by Rev. DIR. Pepper
OF Colby University, who took for his subject
symmetry OF DEVELOPMENT. DR.. Peppers cen
trail idea was that development should be
~ many sldeo, that no phase OF character should
be developed at the expense OF others. The
teaehers character especially should be as per-
fectly symmetrical. The most ideally perfect
character was that of Christ, who was the
great teacher. In Him was the highest devel-
opment ol intellect, OF spirit, of love- of patri-
AT the close of the address thu audience ex-
pressed their thanks to DR.. Pepper by rising
vote.
Next came the discussion unnatural Science,
opened 6y Prot. Lee of Bowdoin College.
tie would not teach science at first for the
facts but for the discipline it gives. He would
begin with biology
Frof Lans said that science In all Its present
aspects Is new, though it has been known
since early times. Science is needed to make
an educated man. The cultivated man ia he
VINO KNOWS something Of everything and eV-
erytnlng OF something. 1t is within the DOW
er OF our common schools to give to every pu-
pii something OF everything, because there Is
IN every science great deal simple enough
Tor comprehension OF even the youngest pupils
IL Is sometimes said that we shall overload the
minds OF our pupils by introducing science stad
les Properly taught instead of being bur-
den they become an inspiration.
Prof. Robinson of BOwdoin College Thought
that sciences must be presented very simply 10
Dc effective. 1t must not be invested with an
air OF mystery. 1t should be taught for It's own
sake ana net Tor its practical bearings. Incl.
dentally we should refer to its practical side.
Immediately at the close of the session the
committee on instruction adjourned to the
mayors room at the City building where the
reports OF committees were considered for final
presentation to the society.
Inc subject OF discussion for Saturday morn
ing will be Ranking aud examinations as in
ducements to study, and as grounds of promo
ton In classes snd hoDors at graduation"
Professors Chase Of Bates College, Smith and
Chapman of Bowdoin, Superintendent Marnel
OF Lewiston and DR.. 1. T. Dana Of Portland
are expected to take part in the discussion Of
the paper which will be road by Principal e.
T. Samnson OF Saco. II time permits, Mrs. Tis-
dale will present the subject of expression in
reading according to the Delsarte system.