The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-02-04
Local Instltute.

The first local institute of this school year was
held in School Hall, this borough. on Friday
evening and throughout Saturday. The extreme
cold and stormy weather prevented the hall from
being packed by, the, friends, of education, yet
more than a hundred braved the storm and were
well rewarded for the risk.
Prof Baer. Of Reading, delivered his lecture on
Home Influences" II was replete with beau
tiful comparisons, striking anecdotes and apt
selections from the poets The lecture was prac-
teal as well as logical The location, the sur
roundings, the adornment and the amusoments
of home were some of the leading points. The
interest and attention manifested by the audi
ence indicated the appreciation with which it
was received.
The lecture was preceded by rectations and
selections of'music. Miss l.. Vida Snyder rem
dered ''Maclaine's Child" with excellent express
sion and dramatic skill. while Miss NJ. 4. Major,
who has established a high reputation here as
teacher of elocution, favored us with the best
selection she has eyer given IN behghton The
sented with power and artistic effect.
The musical selections by Mr., Diehl, Mrs. A.
were beautifully rendered; the selections them
selves were excellent. The evenings entertain
ment was highly appreciated by those who at
tered many from being present,
Saturday morning at 100 a. m, Supt. Snyder,
called the institute to o,der selection OF music,
'The National HYMN" was sung and Rev. Major
led in prayer. On motion Supt. Snyder was
elected president and j. NJ. Roberts, ylce-presi-
dent Prof Baer gave u talk on "MemOry" or
the best method of cultivating this excellent
faculty of the mind. There are two elements
found in the operations OF memory, viz. reten-
tion and recollection To make a bad memory
good and good memory better, we should have
children learn choice selections of pOetIy,through
all the grades, and our teaching should appeal to
The class drill in United States History by l..
q. Roethline was an excellent one. The teacher
N full of the subject as well as enthusiasm.
Though his method was not as scientific as some
would have, yet his was effective, and his pupils
have their minds well stored with historical
facts, 1t Is not so much howa teacher may teach,
but what energy and enthusiasm does he put in
to his method: The gentleman by his manner
many were benefited by the exercises.
The subject of Arithmetic was presented by A.
S. Beisel. of LansfOrd. We do not pay sufficient
attention to addition In our schools. Sometimes
teachers require too much from pupils who have
not advanced far enough. All problems in lower
grades should be concrete. Special drill in ad-
dition should be given through all the grades,
even in the high school,
In the afternoon the institute was opened by
gave d talk on 'Method of Teaching United
States History" Generally we could hang many
Incidents Of history upon one fact. Around great
We should make our descriptions of events as
vivid AS possible, so that chllds mind will be
lilled with pictures as well as facts. No study
well as history. The work OF the teacher Is to
put life into the dry facts that interest will be
awakened. After thanking the teachers for their
attention, the professor bid adieu to all and took
the 100 p. IN. train TO fill another engagement.
"School Discipline and Citizenship, was the
following are some of the leading points,
There are four great factors that enter into the
training of men for the duties of citizenship viz:
the Family, the Church, the Press and the Public
School The Family is the oldest and smallest
form OF organized government. 1t may be the
abode OF force and fear; the place where dis
obedience, disorder and vice dwell tOgether or
IL may be the habiatiOn of love peace and virtue.
From the last class of families the state receives
her loyal sons and devoted daughters. II en-
yironments OF home are corrupt and debasing,
in nine cases out of ten the child will be bad,
| and logically will the citizen be a bad citizen.
The Church has done much to prepare men fol
the duties Of citizenship as well as the duties OF
! life; The church has done great work in reno
waiting and PURIFYING the character OF the indi-
! yidnal, the family and the nation
| The Press IS powerful agent In educating the
! people An independent and non -partizan press
1 has done much 10 overthrow bOsslSm, and arouse
/ the manly Independence of the masses II IL
! doing noble work IN purifying the political at
mOSphere and relegating demagogueu and hood
lers to private life and TO the penitentiary, and
demanding virtue, honesty and hdelity as the
/ right standard of true citizenship.
| The School IS the fourth factor. The various
forms of discipline TO be found in the school are
| !. The discipline of force; .. The discipline OF
| tacti 3. The discipline OF consequences; 4. The
Miss Good, the energetic aud faithful teacher
Of our lowest primary room, gave an excellent
| drill N number work with a class of nine pupils.
The skill and intelligent thought which she man
! lfeSted IN developing the idea OF number and
! form in the mind of a child, places her In the
! front rank OF primary teachers. She has given
! much time and thought to the study of the best
methods OF teaching In the primary grade. Her
! professional zeal and enthusiasm are among her
leading characteristics. The teachers were in
teTesied and educated by the points that were
taken up In the various stages oil number work
| Industrial Education, was ably discussed by
J; d. Beyan. This is an advance IN the right
direction. IL the government can afford TO give
manual training to Indian children, how much
more should they afford the means to expert
ment with the children of our own race. II
teaches them habits OF industry, and to become
usefu citizens IL does not mean that every boy
must become carpenter or a machinlst, no more
than Il means that student OF Greek or Latin
| should become teacher Of those languages.
The present teachers were not 10 train the pupils,
nut skilled mechanics The subject was ably and
toreibly presented. A discussion In which j. Al.
Roberts and A. ). Beisel participated.
Miss Mary Drelbelbets presided at the organ,
ana assisted by the other pupils, did much to
make the singing success. There were over
sixty teachers present, and Supt T. A, Snyder
thanked them and the people Tor having. come
out. r. NJ j.