Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-09-04
THE TEACHERS INSTITUTE.
An Interesting Days BuslEess Disposed of
Yesterday.

opened with sOng-"Happy Land" A
prayer was offered by Rev. Hughes, Of
Buckhannon. followed by another song.
DR.. Shaefer occupied the first hour
continuing his geographical talk. He
spoke of the different motions Of the
earth. FirSt-motion on its axis; sec
ond, around the sun; third, like a top;
fourth, through space, dwelling on the
effects of each. OF the first, he spoke
more fully. Its effect is to produce day
and night. There are several signilica-
tiOnS of the word day" First, as con-
SiSting Of 81 hours; second, from sun
rise to sunset; third, the day lasting
from its beginning, which is on Easter
Island, to its close on the Philippine
Islands, length OF fifty-Six hours and
forty minutes. We have the solar
day" and the "sideral day." but We
have not much to do with them in lower
grades.
Recess followed and then Prof. Payne
took the platform. \ minister is in a way
a teacher-that is, the opportunity Of
testing his hearers to ascertain what
they have learned from his discOurseS
Teaching, properly speaking, is Spir-
itual art: real teacher is an artist. A
physician without knowledge Of phySi-
ology and corresponding knowege Of
remedies would be called "quack." q"
Yet there are teachers without knowl-
edge of the mind and it, needs. Ordi-
nary teaching stops at the reproduction
of things acquired, as in recitation
the best teaching causes the pupil 10
elaborate on what has been reproduced.
by supplying good motives the child is
governed. A motive is our reason for
doing or not doing certain thisgS. An
imals and sayageS are governed for the
most part by feeling; children toto
large extent.
People Of culture, however, are gov
erned by intellectual motives, or. we
say reason. So far As self determna-
tion is concerned the moving power is
intellectual. Motives are Of two kinds:
Attractive and PropulSiye. Deft
management OF these motives underies
the art of governing and lnStructing.
The noblest teacher is he who sends the
child from his presence. saying 10 him
self II will be- good" The great
scheme Of Christian education turns on
these two motives. Keep children in a
hopeful frame of mind; il makes them
happy and hence good. One Of the
most powerful factors in the manage
mcnt Of children lies in the respect and
love they feel for their teacher. There
is no power I'm this world 50 great as
simple goodness of heart.
Another recess followed, and after
singing Evening Twilight DIR. Shaefer
told OF some OF the causes Of twilight.
When the sun sets it does not immcdi-
ately grow dark, but by degrees. \ boy
in the Schooyard throws his ball against
the house. 1t rebounds or reflects.
Thus the rays Of light striking against
the dense layer OF atmosphere lying
next the earth is thrown back or reflect
ed. and we have twilight. Twilight IS
shortest in spring and fall, longest in
summer and winter. What We call the
MAN in the Moon are mountains In
reality. Why do we always see the
same side OF the moon? Well. the moon
rcyolyes on its axis at the same rate
that it reyolveS about the earth, hence
we see the same side of the moon al
ways.
Some say there are eight seasons in
the TOrrid Zone, and they have good
reasons. Others, however, claim but
| two-thc wet and dry. Twelve o'clock
brought this very interesting lecture To
close. The afternoon session opened
with song. DR.. Shaefer took up new
topic. Arithmetic. The teacher has
not done his work until he has
taught the child to think in fig
urcs. The good arithmetician thinks
in figures. not things. In conclusion
the Doctor said: 1T is pleasant 10 me
10 come to West Virginia. see in the
faces before me the ability to grasp
these pedagogical subjects. Don't i'm
agine a thing good simply because it
is new The best things have come
down to Us from the ages. Always bear
I'm mind the fact that the child
Is far more important than any
new method or device. Although many
may Sncer at your occupation and mine,
remember We are treading in the foot
steps Of the greatest man who ever lived
on this earth-the Great Teacher Of All.
This was Dr. Shacfcr'S last address, and
regrets were heard in all parts Of the
house that he could not be with us
throughout the Institute. There IS an
innate nobility in all that he says, which
carries his hearers into higher regions
OF thought. After recess Prof. Payne
continued his subject. Men governed
by feeling alone are uniformly weak.
When attractive motives fail TO move
the pupil 10 action then the propulsiye
must be resortcd TO. IL is not a good plan
TO keep children after school, they always
go home in sour state Of mind. If
possible We should send them from rs
full OF pleaSurable feelings 4 promi-
nent reformcr has gained nOtOricty by
proclaiming the iniquities of eXamina-
tions The examinations serve their
purposes: To test, 10 discipline, 10 give
motive. / defend examinations on these
facts. Concerning corporal punish
ment. the idea has grown in popularity
that the stroke Of the rod is an act Of
cruelty. \ harsh word may be more
inhumane than blow. The Profes-
.or's lectures have been of the good,
better. best order. Tonight he lee
lures at o'clock The general public
Is invited to a treat Of the highest or
der.
Yesterday DR.. y c. Schaeffer was COM
PEELED to leave on account Of urgent bust
ness at his home To-day DR. Blaisdell, Of
the Female College, and Rev +. w. +.
Pershaw. OF Wilmington, y. C., will take
part in the instruction Of the Institute.
BLOCK On TENTH STREET.