The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1892-08-04
Talk on Manual Training,

An interesting meeting was held at the
vestry of the Methodist Church Sunday even
ing for the purpose of discussing the man.
ual training school, now in operation here.
After short devotional exercises, Rev. S. l..
Hanscom opened the meeting with brief re-
marks He treated the subject from physi-
cal, useful and moral standpoint. He be-
lieved that all should be taught to work. He
said it is we'll to think of heaven, to dream
of heaven, but it is better to learn how to
live Christian and useful life
Rev. Myra Kingsbury was the next speak
er. She had visited manual training schools
in other States, and believed in them. The
ladies who inaugurated this movement, she
said, ought to receive the God-speed of every
person in the community. She had visited
the Belfast training school and the skill eX-
hibited surprised her. She hoped the parents
of the pupils and all others interested would
visit tie school. She believed the school
will be for the moral benefit of the city.
Mr.. w. c. Crawford, superintendent of the
Gloucester schools, now here on a visit, spoke
at some length on the subject from an intel
chusetts have a manual training depart
ment. He had looked into the question
somewhat. because he expected to have to
meet it. He thought manual training might
he introduced into the common school sys-
TEN with profit, and thought it belonged
there.
Mr.. Scheurch, the teacher, read an inter
IN mammal TRAINING He cd
if the present system of Grammar schools
is satisfactory. He thought not The Gram
mar schools are good stepping stone to
the higher schools, but the majority of the
pupils end their school life with the Gram
mar. He thought the lower grade might be
improved by manual training department.
The best equipped person is the most sue
cessful, and the manual training school
eqlips the pupils for work.
Rev. l.. NJ. Burlington said he hoped to
live to see every school, church and Sunday
school work shop. AS the Methodist Church
is noted for its progression he expected to
see that church naugurate the movement.
He said that New England is conservative
and SLOW to adopt new ideas. The graded
schools of the west are in advance Of the
graded schools of the east. The Belfast
manual training school he thought was the
second of its kind in Maine. Such depart
ment> are established in the schools of Mas
sachusetts and ne hoped might be adopt
ed here. Mr.. Burlington made an excellent
suggestion, which might be easily carried
out He said tie Masonic fraternity owned
the attic Of the High School building which
IS not now in list. He thought the MaSunS
might donate it. ur 1t least make favorable
terms with the district, 50 that the room could
be fitted mp a work shop. where an hour
OF two each day might he prohtahly emp. Y
ed i'll manual training. Our facilities are
school work.
Rev. j. f. 1ilton, Of the Baptist Church.
spoke briefly and commended the work for
its intellectual. manual and moral effects.
Mr.. Scheurrh exhibited many models of
the work which the school turns out and in
vited all to inspect them.
One wrong idea has got abroad that the
pupils are what some have termed "street
urchins." which is a libel on the classes.
Many Of the boys are from our best families,
and resent the imputation
One pleasant feature Of the meeting was
the singing by Mrs. L. y. Ellis Of Washing
ton, ID. c.. Summer visitor here.
1t is hoped this matter will not rest here,
but will De agitatea until manual training
becomes part of the public school system.