The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-12-24
COUNTY INSTITUTE.

The annual session OF the Columoia
County Teachers Institute convened at the
Opera House at Bloomsbury, at o'clock
P. NJ, Monday, December 90, 1886, and
was opened by the singing Of selection
from "The Gospel Hymns" Miss Ent pre-
siding at the organ. DR.. Mitchell read
portion Of scripture and led in prayer.
Mr. Grimes appointed the following per-
sons a committee on nominations Mr..
Fisher. Mr.. OBriau, Miss Gensel, Miss Al
len, Miss Rittenhouse.
Geo. E. Elwell, Esq, extended to the
teachers cordial greetings on behalf of the
people OF Bloomsbury, after which he made
some excellent remarks which were greatly
enjoyed by all A few Of the thoughts
contained therein are these ''The noble
profession in which you are engaged is one
in which we are all interested The laud-
able purpose for which you are now con-
vened, that you may better prepare your
self for the important and arduous duties
OF your calling, is one that should attract
the attention of every parent and every
good citiz en- who has the public welfare at
heart. A large proportion Of the children
in this country are educated in the public
schools, and it is therefore evident that the
culture and success of the masses depend
greatly upon the teacher. The greatest
wealth Is always found in communities
where there is the least llliteracy, and
crime and pauperism prevail to the greatest
extent where there Is the most ignorance.
Some countries have laws making attend
ance at school compulsory, while others
leave the matter to the discretion uf par
ents. AS to the benefcence Of this CON-
ulsory system, can only say in passing
that where it is in force, there is necess-
arily more diffused knowledge and cor
responding absence Of pauperism, than
where attendance Is voluntary. There Is
| nothing new to say about education and
| educators. While we hear much Of late
years about the "New Methods" of teach
ing, the system in vogue to-day is really a
hundred years old. The principles devc-
| oped by Pestalozzi who was born in 1746,
have never been improved on. They en-
brace all that is included in the "new edu-
cation" Of the present. Success in teach
| ing, however, depends mainly on the teach
er. An energetic teacher, who throws his
whole soul into the ork will be sure to
succeed. Mr.. Elwell stated further that
Bloomsbury seemed a fitting place for
| holding Institute, for 1t represents the prog
ress made in educational facilities, since
the beginning of the present century, hav-
ing kept abreast Of the times, and advanc-
ed slowly and surely, until she stands sec
ond to no town in the state Of Pennsylva-
mia in school advantages. We are known,
too, as an educational centre, where teach
ers are prepared for their life work, and 1t
is fitting that you should come here to still
further iruproveyourselves, and us by your
presence"
Mr.. Fisher, chairman of committee on
nominations, made the following report;
Miss Barton, Sec; Mr., Breese, Treas. Mr..
Gearhsrt, Door keeper. 1t was moved and
seconded that their report be accepted.
The motion was carried.
| Miss McClintock of Mead vile, Pa, rem
dered in her attractive style solo, which
was greatly enjoyed by all,
| Miss Matilda Ross, from Chicago, ILL.,,
was introduced and entertained the aud
fence for some time. She said that in
Pennsylvania Institutes she found many
things to commend, not found in those OF
Iowa and some other Western States, and
at the same time could commend to us
some OF their methods. In Pennsylvania
one aim OF institute is TO educate public
sentiment. In Iowa this is not the case.
The principal work there Is GLASS drill,
and lectures are not thought OF. She rec
commended to us little OF their class drill,
and to them a few OF our lectures. She
stated further, that as teachers we should
know more about the history OF the early
educators, ana their teachings She then
gave us briefly a short sketch OF five OF OUT
earliest educators, stating clearly their
different methods, and showing 10 how