The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1884-01-04
Teachers Institute,


The Columbia County Institute convened
in the Opera House on Monday at o'clock
p. IN, and was called to order by the Pres
ident, Supt. j. S. Grimes. A committee
on permanent organization was appointed
consisting of the following persons
Messrs. O'Brine, Becker Johnson. and
Misses Welliver and Sue p. Thompson.
y. II. Bakeless was elected temporary
secretary. The Institute joined in singing
Coronation" and prayer was offered by
DIR. ID. S. Monroe. E. r, Ikcler greeted
the teachers with an earnest and interest
ing address, in which he held up the great
dangers and evils which surround us as a
nation, and the importance of the teachers
work in overcoming these evils This was
followed by music, an excellent selection
being rendered by Prof. and Miss Miles.
Prof. Johonnot, of New York, was then
introduced as instructor for the afternoon.
After few preliminary remarks on the in
tellcctual standing of our nation as COM
pared with other nations, he announced
Composition" as his subject for the after
noon. He severely condemned the teach
ing of technical grammar to pupils un-
der fifteen years of age, and advocated
composition as substitute in our schools.
He left the subject unfinished to be taken
up later and was followed by Supt. Houck,
Dep. State Supt. He entertained the
teachers for half hour with a humorous
account Of his visit to the New Jersey In-
stitute, and then discussed the subject of
Methods" for a short time He encour-
aged the teachers to use those methods
that bring the best results in the shortest
time. The Institute adjourned to meet at
1870 p. IN.
EVENING SESSION.
Exercises opened with music by Prof.
Niles Orchestra.
Miss Enola B, Guie OF Catawissa gave a
recitation "The Revolutionary Uprising"
The recitation was well rendered.
Supt. Grimes introduced as speaker for the
evening E. E. Higbee, Superintendent of
Public instruction, who addressed the au-
dicnce on the subject "'The Public Schools
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
This was followed by a short and inter-
esting address by Col j. p. Sanford
TUESDAY MORNING.
Institute opened with prayer by Rev.
Dr. Mitchell. The committee upon perma-
nent organization was called upon to re-
port They presented the name of o. H.
Bakeless as Secretary and Mr.. Joseph Gar
rison as Treasurer, Their report was ac-
cepted and the committee discharged.
ID. j. Waller Jr. then took the floor, and
announced as his subject the "Sensibilities
or Feelings"
Prof. Niles and ladies followed with some
excellent music.
Superintendent L. E. Higbce then gave
the Institute talk on Church History
which was listened to most attentively.
An intermission of few minutes was
given to enable the teachers to receive
their enrolment cards.
Professor Johonnot finished his talk OF
the previous sessions and gave a number
of important principles underlying prima.
ry instruction.
He was followed by Deputy Superintend,
ent Houck upon the subject programmes
for Schools" He dwelt at some length
upon the importance of having periods fol-
general work as well as recitation. He
OnOln alSn nf tho ny
pupils how to study, and gave several hui
morous illustrations showing the great loss
of time sustained by pupils not understand
ing this important point.
Prof, ID, j, Waller made few remarks
| on the importance of teachers attending
the evening lectures, after which the Insti
tute adjourned to meet at 2 p. IN.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.
Meeting called to order by chairman
| Superintendent Grimes, after which A. G
Kimberly, Esq, of Berwick was introduc
ed as the first speaker of the afternoon
subject Literary Hash"
The lecture aimed to show that al
should read, in fact will read something
and will select that kind of literature suit
ed to the tastes and degree of develop
mcnt of the reader For this reason tn,
young should be guided in their reading by
the watchful eye of pure-minded teacher
The light and iiashy literature that is flood
ing the land was severely condemned ant
its evil effects pointed out.
A brief report was then given of the in
terest awakened in the Berwick school
this present term, by the teachers encour
aging the children to use works of refer
ence in the public library, lie closed will
beautiful tribute to the literature O