The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-04-03
LOCAL INSTITUTE AT BERWICK

M. y. ~ Hali last Saturday Mar. a.,
but owing to the inclemency of the
weather the attendance was not LARGE
The Rev. Stephens opened the DAYS
programme with devotional exercises.
After the election of secretary. Supt
Johnson appointed Mr. +. b. Hanly.
Miss Bloss and Mrs. THOMPSON a
committee on resolutions.
A very appropriate address of well
come was given by Mr.. Hanly. the
Vice Principal Of Berwick Schools and
ably responded to by Prof, Clark of
Nescopeck.
After short recess Mrs. Welsh of
Bloomsburg State Normal School gave
a very instructive talk on Literature, :"
in which she showed its effects on
character, how it might be incidentally
taught in connection with the other
branches. Methods of conducting ex-
ercise in silent reading were also dis
cussed during this period by Mrs
Welsh and Prof. Richardson.
Prof Hartline of Bloomsbury State
Normal School occupied the next
period with discussion of the sub
ject of manual Training" The Prof.
spoke of the necessity of increased at
tention in this direction, the good re-
suits that come from it and the meth
DDS of conducting class work. He
illustrated his talk by specimens of
work done in his classes, that would
do credit to professional machanic.
Prof. Clark's talk on "The Old and
New was listened to with interest. He
related some Of his personal expert.
ence with the old time school masters,
show what revolution school govern
ment and methods of teaching have
undergone within the last forty years
and concluded by telling what he
hoped to see in the future
The afternoon session was opened
by singing after which Supt. Johnson
addressed the teachers concerning the
necessity of training in connection
with intellectual and moral fitness.
He dwelt particularly on three requisite
qualifications, forethought, firmness
and charity. Mrs. Welsh then favored
the audience with a recitation from
Holmes, Grip Van Winkle M. d."
Mr.. Bullard was then introduced
in well prepared speech on "Theory
and Practice" full of practical truths,
showing that there is no short cut to
success for either pupil or teacher. He
spoke of the influence Of home train
ing on the child's school work and en-
phasized the necessity of the parents
cooperation with the teacher in order
to get the best results, and in conclu-
sion presented a couple of cases OF
discipline and asked advice concern
ing them. Prof. Richardson took up
the discussion and talked adversely
concerning law prohibiting corporal
punishment in schools as is the case in
New York and New Jersey.
Physical Culture was the next topic
on the programme and Mrs. Welsh
spoke of it in such a way as only a
person of observation and experience
could do. The points touched upon
were many but the most prominent
was the necessity of physical culture,
for children as it effects habits for life,
the matter of dress as it concerns
health. She illustrated some parts ol
her talk by exercises.
The programme was closed by Prof
Richardson, who showed some interest.
ing experiments with electricity, as a
motor power.
On the whole it was day well
spent and we hope that on. the occa-
sion of the next Local Institute we
will be favored with pleasant weather
and the people Of Berwick will show
interest in a, wook SO important to
themselves as the public school work
is, by crowding the house.
The Committee on resolutions re-
ported the following.
Be it resolved by the. e..teachers of the
Berwick school district:
That we tender our sincere thanks
to County Supt. Johnson for his earn
est and encouraging words; to Mrs
Welsh for her,interesting and pracitical
address; to Mr.. Hartline for the
mastery manner in which he handled
a new subject before the minds of the
teachers to Messrs Clark, Richardson
and Bullard for there capable addres
ses on work appertaining to practical
Educational work;
That prohting by experience OF this
year we shall each and everyone OF us
look forward to our future Institutes
with the knowledge that it is indeed
time well spent.
T. B. HANLEY.
S. w. THOMPSON,