The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-01
FREE KISDERGARTENs.
.r.apating Exercises of the Training School.
D. 4, Readthalers Eloquent Address.

&C the lady managers of the Free Kin
lA0O', -tor was held, and the reports then pre-
.ontsd showed very gratifying degree OF pros
Last night the third annual commence
81 the Indiana kindergarten Training
-, took place at Plymouth Church. The
So vi &c mart of the benevolent plan of kinder
r.rten teaching, to which the ladies have for
1 s., years so zealously devoted their time
=, means. Under the principalship of Mrs. Z.
plaker the childrens school and that for
I lining teachers have advanced to point of
| .rortanee. where the most desirable results
| - ,;ven in the Improvement of little children
! 9 the very poor. 1t is the prime purpose of
I - frAa kindergarten throw to its excellent
/ aronee around those children who are apt,
! ...,reb vicious surroundings or the miseries of
| ,orsyty. to receive evil impressions that cannot
- aradicated readily except by the instructions
thew receive in these schools. To fit teachers for
! this great work of philanthropy is the object of
the training school
In the three schools over four hundred chill
dred have be taught during the past year, and
that the training department has been successful
can be seen in the fact that sixteen young ladies
received their diplomas last night They were,
from Indianapolis, Misses l. A. Birch, E. j. COT
fay. N. NJ. Duzan, NJ l.. Hague, s. E. Hill, L.
Wingate; from Nobiesville, Ind, Mrs L. J. Coch-
ram Greensburg, Ind. Miss NJ. L. Fenton; Tip
ton, Ind Miss X. B. Mcconnell; Buffalo, N. Y,
Miss 1 NJ Murdock North Platte, Neb, Miss
l. L. Ross; New York, Mrs, S. V. Topp;
/ Palatka, Fla, Miss L. E. Vincent.
An interesting programme was rendered, the
reading of papers and essays being interspersed
with with vocal and instrumental music. Miss
! Lima Loder read paper on ''Thoughts from
Great Thinkers" Mrs S. v Topp an essay
personality MissN. NJ Duzan con Our Free
Kindergarten" The valedctorv Impressions
was delivered by Miss Nellie Wingate. All of
4 these ladies applied their subject matter to
Ii iergarten instruction. showing its benefits in
SUI founding children in their earlier years with
/ the great safeguard of moral, mental, physical
4 and religious training The musical numbers were
/ the Graduates March, piana solo, by Miss Ella
1 Stapg: contralto solo, by Miss Jessie Meek:
soprano, Miss Lima Loder; instrumental solo. by
Mr. G. r. Curry and quartette Good Night by
| Mrs Ida Scott and Miss Jessie Meek and Messrs.
| Ketcham and Hazard
Addresses in the interest of the schools were
delivered by the Rev. j. A. Rondthaer and Mrs.
l. G Huford. Mr.. Rondthaler said that the
| schools of beuevolence in indianapolis had won
his admiration. He could praise their worth
| without being charged with egotsm. He had
been here so short time he could not claim any
/ honor in being instrumental in their OrganiZa-
ton or work. But it was a revelation of great
/ delight to him to see so many enterprises of
philanthrOpic purpose nobly sustained by vol
untary contributions. That was an inspiring
8 scene when the large English Opera house was
crowded in every part last November, on the
occasion Of union meeting of these
several benevolent societies There was to be
seen an illustration of unity in benevolent work.
That night gospel was given in the addresses,
reports of what had been done and the deep in
terest manifested, but above all there Cos
pei in the pledges that vast audience gave to the
yearly support Of these enterprises. He then
called the attention Of his hearers to the claims
fthe free kindergarten schools had upon them for
EBupport. These schools had ceased to be expert
mental and had reached permanency. 1t de-
5pended upon the generous and charitable
whether this work should be done in limited
way, whether1 it should advance, adding
school to school until the greatest good to the
greatest number attained. Civilization,
he said, had caught Froebels enthusiasm.
lie has taught us to take the child as soon as it
kean learn to think, and teach it by observation
the wonders of it's little world. He has taken
ont Of the word, to learn its thorns, and made it
one of pleasant association. The tyrannical
kpedagogue. like ''Old Uncle Ned" has hung up
his bow and gone where Uncle Neds spirit has
gone. The little one now has teacher full of
sympathy and love, who brings it into beautiful
paths of learning.
Wealthy citizens have caught Froebel's idea.
and no pleasanter sight can be than in the
she kindergarten carriages, filled with little
Achidren merry. bright and beautiful, going to
and from the schools, and it does not take them
from home to lessen home influence. but to
teach them how home can be made beautiful.
If the wealthy find good in these schools, how
much greater must De the necessity for such in
struction for the children of the poor Nor
docs the influence of these schools stop here.
III goes into the abodes of vice and crime, and
Stakes into happier life and into sur
zroundings of moral healthfulness children
who would perhaps be lost to all
that is good. The teachers in the public schools
SAY that their pupils who have come to them from
the kindergartens are cleaner brighter and
Testimony to the vast benefit coming from these
Schools. He admired the system of education
under the control of the State, but he did not
want the kindergarten made a part of it. That
must come nearer to the people and to do so
Amust be sustained by living money not money
wrung from its holders by taxation. 1t re-
Hmained with the people of means to say what
Hshould be the extent of the kindergarten's work.
III had, during the past three years, blessed
many children; clothed them, led them into the
way of moral happiness. He hoped that the
pledges asked of them tonight would be numer-
Gus and liberal
Mrs, L. G. Hufford also addressed the audi
#ehce upon the needs of the schools, and spoke in
detail OF their work and told of their needs
sAhere was no debt TO hamper them but means
must be had to continue them and enlarge their
@nhuence.
Two kinds of pledges were distributed among
fhe audience, one promising a certain sum for the
support of the schools, and another so much
FVery month. The response was liberal but the
Sccurate amount cannot be stated as many of
9hrs. Baker Va ~
The diplomas were presented bv Governor
bray, who addressed the graduates briefly upon
khe nobility of their mission. The eyenino
closed with public interest in the free kinder
Barten greatly renewed, which will doubtless
Roring forth good results in liberal contributions
p their support.