The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1892-11-05
PROF. N. NJ. BAI,IIET.

IN view OF the canvass for COuu ty
Superintendent of Schoo'. aud in viaw
of the candidacy, already announced.
Of Prof Nathan NJ. T..E take
pleasure in submitting ia following
sketch of that gentleman life and
work.
Mr.. Ballet is one of Carbou's own
sons, "A native Of the Maboniug Valley
He is thirty.one years old. and is a
brother of Prof. Thos NJ. Ballet,
formerly Superintendent of Schools of
this county. Those who already know
him will recall gentleman of pleasant
address, refined manners, and broad
culture lie received his early educa.
ton in the rural schools of his dis.
trict, and supplemented this by study
in the Select school founded by his
brother at Normal Square.
As he approached maturity he
adopted the course so common to the
students of the Normal Institute, he
entered the service OF public school
teacher in his own home. In this
capacity he served three years with
signal success, preparing himself for
college meanwhile. As further pre-
liminary to his colligate work he took
Il two years course in the Kutztown
State Normal School lie entered
Franklin and Marshall college, and
was graduated with high standing. His
teachers speak of his sterling charac-
ter, his zeal and sound scholarship.
Since graduation he has done two
years post graduate work.
Academic days over MIR. Ballet
donned the pedagogue's mantle once
more. His professional career briefly
stated is as follows: Principal of
Normal Institute for three years.
Professor of Latin and Greek in Palati-
nate college two years, lSSS-S9 and
lSS9-!O. Professor of Latin and History
in Ursinus College two years, 1S9O-9l
and lS9l-02, This with his public
school work gives him total expert
ence IN the school room of ten years,
an experience very varied and fruitful.
10 the public Of Carbon county, Mr..
Ballet is best known as PRINCIPAL of
Normal Institute at Normal Sduare
lie served in that capacity longer than
any other man.
1t was during his administration
that so many young mon went out TO
the different colleges and technical
schools of the land. In his work at the
Square, Mr.. Ballet was emiuently
successful, nor was it the success of
the school room merely. Some mems
influence is confined to the class room:
they excel in clearness of demonstra
ton, in aptness of illustration; they
are drill masters, it may be. Mr..
Ballet possessed ali these qualities.
but more besides, There are those of
his pupils who can testify to the
quality of his friendship, to the in.
iluence he had over their lives and
destinies. He was to them counsellor
and friend. \ teacher is tobe iudred
not so much by the knowledge he i'm
parts as by the influence he eyerts
over his pupils, these are the marks of
true teaching In his capacity of
principal Mr.. Ballet made himself
useful in all collateral work of the
school. lie was Jealous promoter of
its literary society, its library and its
reading circle.
In regard to MIR. Balliets work in pala-
innate college we have the testimony of
several of his pupils,speaking his great
popularity and success as teacher
Part of his success, no doubt, was due
to his manifest interest in his pupils
welfare. lie showed great push and
zeal and desire to renovate and reiuve
nate. An improved library, "A reading
room organized for the first time we're
among the fruits of his brief stay.
haYe before me the testimony of one of
his co-workers. "Hlis enthusiasm, tack
and modes of discipline have won the
respect and confidence of all our
students | never have been associated
with person who has shown greater
skill in working up department and
i'll thorough class drill. My intimate
acquaintanc withMr. Balliet's collegiate
work cOnvinces me that he will be n
power in any department of school
work.
From the fall of 1890 to the close of
the last school year Mr.. Bal liet was
connected with Ursinus College as
| Professor of Latin and History. A
suggestive commentary upon his work
in this new field is the fact that, after
the first year, he was appointed gener-
| al supervisor of the work in the Pre-
| paratory School connected with
| Ursinus college, that in addition to his
! collegiate work, and that for two con
| secutive seasons he was president of A
| summer school also connected with the
institution. These latter facts point
not only to live, progressive teaching,
! but to executive ability. Saws one Of
| his co-laborers, "IIe has been success
full to the highest degree; and las ac-
complished, both in and outside of the
classroom, what no one else has ever
been able to do at this place. lie has
the faculty of securing more intelligent
work from his pupils than the ordinary
teacher; and as he always gainsthe
respect and appreciation ofhis students
he Yields mighty influence for good.
lie is one of the strongest meh ia the
faculty of this place; and as an organi-
zer and educator, he surely stands in
the front rank"
Mr.. Ballet numbers among his
pupils graduates and students of
many different colleges and universi.
ties, including Yale, Princeton, Uniyer-
sity of Pennsylvania, LAFAYETTE, Ie-
high, Williams, Franklin and Marshall.
Ursinus, and Mulenburgh. lie has
some experience as a lecturer before
Teachers Institutes. lie take digni.
fed view of his profession; is student
of men and of methods. In his cana
city of Professor Principal and Super.
visor he has had most valuable ex.
perience. He possesses tact and the
happy faculty of dealing with boys
and with men,
If we were asked TO give a summary
of this mans claims for consideration
& we should say (al That he is eminently
D. fitted for the Office of County Superin
tendent, by natural ability, by training
andby experience; tbl That he is a very
, successful and stimulating teacher
tcl That he is "a man of ideas, alive
, with the spirit Of progress; Id And
what is worth all these, that he has ex
, ecutive ability and the art Of dealiu.
with men.
} Monthly Meeting of Pastors.
! The association of the minister, o.
!, the Reformed church of the Upper lie
! high Valley will hold its monthly meet
J ing at the parsonage of Rev j. A
Reber of this place, on Monday, tn
q 7th inst In the evening "a public meet
! ing will be held in the Reformed churcl
4 and the following program has beel
y arranged: IN address on Christian
~ hnpavnIapaa pr IT,uu rYtt1.h abau t,s