The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-07-08

On Saturday, June 26th, ii was our
privilege to attend the closing exercises
of Miss Lizzie Anderson's school, in
Broadway Township. For US it was a
most enjoyable occasion. The recita.
tions and songs by the children were
admirably rendered, elicitiDg. the warm.
est applause, and evincing care and tact
en- the part of the earnest teacher. In
this school, friction is reduced to the
minimum; every thing moves like clock.
work. It was really refreshing to notice
the close attention Of the pupils to every
movement of the teacher. No command
ing officer ever had better control over
his troops. Gentle but firm, kind but
positive, what school would not proaper
in the hands of such q teacher?
The "Gem Exercise" thoughtfully
arranged by the teacher, and beautifully
executed by the pupils, completely cap.
tured the audience. What stock of
beautiful thoughts, gems indeed, have
been slowed away in the minds OF these
children during the last six months |!
Yes, thoughts that will stimulate aud
restrain them all along the pathway of
life. And is there any one who can "see
no use in this kind of foolishness"? Is
there any one who will say that the time
devoted to learning these gems is time
that ought to be given to something of
more importance? Is there not some TO
step in and utter the old familiar cry of
folly, folly, nonsense? Is there man
who would say that the calisthenic exer.
else will do very we'll for towns but is of
no use in the country? Let him trot off
to Miss Anderson's school-one hour
there will convince him of the folly of
his position. We repudiate, with all our
strength we repudiate the idea that the
town schools can have any beneficial
exercise that the country schools do not
need. If calisthenic movements are
good for the children in town, they are
good for them in the country. Miss
Lizzie Anderson and her school have
indisputabiy demonstrated the fact that
the calisthenic exercise is charming
and profitable one, even in log school
house in the country. Who is capable
of more systematic development, who is
capable of deeper enjoyment, who is
fuller of vim and energy than the boys
and girls that are born and reared and
educated in the country? Again ne
assert that the idea that calisthenics is
unfit for country schools is preposterous,
aud he who holds it is fossil belonging
to the medieval ages.
The success of Miss Anderson's school,
measured by the hearty support and
stroug language of her patrons, confirms
the opinion we have long held, that in
too many instances teachers are put 10
charge of too many children aud more
expected of them than reason would
Justify or demand. The largest schools
are not always necessarily the best. Miss
Anderson has had only fifteen scholars,
and has had time to give every one
special attention. We endeavored to
impress this last idea upon the patrons,
and hope We succeeded in deepening the
impressions already produced by the facts
in the premises. The little log school
house in the woods in Broadway Town.
ship may be the birth. place of genius
that will one day startle the world. Who
can tell? Then let this institution of
learning, which in its modest and humble
way promises so much, receive the hearty
support and confidence of those most
interested, and let the future tell the
good that may cone of it.