The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-06-28
The JOINT INSTITUTE
DR.. Karl G. MaeSer on Mental
Discipline.
DRAWING IN THE DISTRICT SCHOOL
An Element of Education that Should be Eos
tered and EncOuraged-0ther Objects
of Interest Discussed.

There was an increased ate ndaGce al
and increased interest in the sessions of the
joint teachers institute, held yesterday. In
the morning prayer was offered by Prof
T. f. Howells, and after the minutes OF
Wednesday were read and approved, Super
intendent Stewart introduced
DIR. KARL @ NAEsER.
The doctor was on the programme for a
lecture on Mental Discipline"
Mental discipline, he said, is practical pro
oess OF the mind. The subject is SO vast that 1t
could not in the time allotted be treated in de
tail. Such items as particularly referred 10 the
teacher would be mentioned. A live perception,
vivid imagination and good memory, recol-
lection and reason are necessary intellectual
traits No teacher can grow old He must
maintain the vigor Of youth that he may read
the child-nature Alright.
Then there are moral qualities which must be
cultivated in order to fill the requirements of
mental discipline. The speaker did not parti-
cularly refer to the observance OF common tenn
perance, which is natural necessity IN a
teacher, but to the higher temperance in his
walks and labors that would insure success. He
should exercise prudence, mind his own busl-
ness. not have too many irons in the fire,
avoid gossip and be very guarded of his tongue.
He should jealously and carefully guard the in
tegrity OF his own character. He should be pure,
honest and charitable, so that he might exercise
that influence which should reflect the true gold
OF integrity in his own soul to all about him.
Another characteristic of mental discipline is
the spiritual nature. This includes philanthropy
TO all without regard TO station in life. The
child of the pOor-in rags suffering for word OF
kndneSS-must be treated as well as the son OF
the wealthy blooming in all the privileges OF bet
Ter treatment. II includes loyalty to his coun-
try. A teacher must be a true citizen, loyal but
vet standing above paltry craftsmanship. Then,
above all, he must be imbued with the religious
influence that rises above bigotry and sectarian-
ism to that perfect state where man shall be-
come like unto his God.
These are few OF the characteristics of men
tai discipline; now as to their means Of develop
ment. A teacner must be consistent with him
self cultivating his Individuality and
placing before him that ideal OF perfection which
probably none can obtain in this world, but
which all must try TO get-the ideal which is his
better self He must be progressive. The mo-
ment teacher ceases to learn, he becomes a
pedant, and pedantry Is the curse of our profess
sion. He must rest and avoid that spinning of
the brain which may be likened to the spinning
of q wagon wheel after the wagon has stopped
which is worse than work He must have no
hobbies, but must be broad and truly progress
siVe in all his works But the greatest means is
n devotion to his calling that Is as strong as sac
rifice Nothing but enthusiasm will hold a
teacher in the place where he must stand to be
successful The results from the practice Of
these means OF development is a tirmnesS of
character, the esteem of his fellow men and 4
success in his profession that will at once place
him in the 'front.' where all true teachers must
stand
MISS RACHEL EDWARDS
read paper on Drawing in District Schools as
Al Educational Means Drawing, taught an
lucatiOnal means, to me is 4 most important
b -anch Of education in our district schools, ana
l say that if are able to hear only one recita-
ton during the day, let it be the drawing class
five are able TO see accurately we are able to
form accurate ideas and accurate mental pic
lures. Where can we find better way TO study
nature than by drawing II?
Wei, let US see. Does the child know how
NJ my petals, sepals, stamens etc, there are in
the roseg Does he know the shape and relative
position of these different parts: If not lead
him to discover all this; and then ask him to
draw and see If lafter a few trials he cannot
draw picture that you can justly call a rose:
He now feels proud of his work and viii attempt
TO draw other things by analysing them or OBJ
sc wing them closely.
Analysis Tor the careful observation of the
parts of things), is the grand instrument in all
the operations of the perceptive faculties; and
OF all the implements of science it is the keenest
in its edge the trueSt in its action and the surest
in the action (which it attains. 1t is the key
to knowledge in all departments of intelligence
We are blessed with perceptive facnlties and
why not learn TO use them in the best possible
way? II we are going to adopt an education for
this purpose let US choose the education that
educateS. We all have eyes, so let us train them
in such way that we may derive the most
benefit. How shall we do this: BY drawing.
The spreading recognition of drawing as an ele-
ment OF education is one among many signs OF
the more rational views Of meltal culture now
beginning to prevail
Drawing is Indispensable as an element of
general education, and IT lies at the foundation
OF all technical education.
Everybody needs a welltrained hand. Draw
ing is the proper means of imparting this much
needed training. Drawing properly taught is
calculated 10 facilitate instruction in all other
branches OF education. Commercially speaking,
the power to draw well is worth more in the
market to day than any other thing taught in
the public schools; and education in industrial
art is OF more Importance TO the development OF
this country and in the increase OF her wealth
and reputation, than any other subject Of com
mon school education.
Drawing has for its object that training Of the
hand and eye which lays the foundation for skill
in the arts. Such training leads to that Gppreci-
alton OF art necessary to create a demand for its
products; it leads the mind TO make more
careful examination of objects of study; it fur
nshes the best method of describing those OBJ
jects that have form and size: II has 4 refining
Influence by cultivating the taste, and it i'm
proves morals by exciting love for the beauti-
ful.
LIVELY DISCUSSION
followed in which many of the teachers
took part. Prof. Geo. H. Brimhall offered
the following resolution, which was hOtly
discussed:
Resolved, That drawing brings the child into
an intimate intellectual acquaintance with
nature, sharpens and cultivates the perception,
trains the hand and lays foundation for indus
trial training, that we make special effort to
have elementary drawing successfully taught in
our schools during the forthcoming school year;
that drawing be placed on the curriculum of
obligatory branches; and that the teachers be
required TO pass in that branch next year.
The meeting adjourned till pm. without
a vote on the resolution.