The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1892-08-04
Prof. McIver and the Teachers
Institute.

EDITOR GOLD LEAF:-As you are aware
Prof. Chas. d. Mc1ver made his second
advent among us as an 'Institute Con-
ductor' on last Monday, the 25th, inst,
having held an Institute here two years
ago, which our people still remember
with pleasure. Notwithstanding the
oppresavely hot weather there was a
full attendance OF both town and country
people on Monday and we are gratified
to note that the attendance has steadily
increased. There are 80 Teachers regis
tered.
On Monday the Professor gave an
outline OF his weeks work. Writing on
the board in plain and unmistakable
character the words Education. Prof
McIver proceeded to show what is educa-
ton and what Is not education. That a
mere knowledge OF facts is noteducation
but simply learning, which is valuable
only in the proportion that it is avail
able and can be used for the benefit of
mankind. That the best education is
that which enables one to understand
Truth and impress it upon the minds of
Others. He divides Education into three
classes Physical and Moral,
and show that any system is detective
and greatly so, which does not attend to
each. The great work of the Teacher is
to cultivate the intellectual, but not by
any means to neglect the Physical and
Moral, parts Of our being. There is too
of parents to shift the Moral training of
their children upon Teachers. The
Teacher is associated with the pupil only
a comparatively small portion of their
time, and let their example and precept
be what it may, the most effective Moral
traing must come through home influences
and religious organizations.
He gives us an entertaining and in
structive lecture on the old Arabic adage
which so strikingly divides mankind into
four classes. "He that knows not and
knows not that he knows not, is a fool
shun him. He that knows not and
knows that he knows not, is simple
teach him. He that knows and knows
not that he knows, is asleep, wake him.
He that knows and knows that he knows
is wise, follow him. These again are
divided into two classes, those who
know and those who do not know. The
first, "who knows not and knows not
that he knows not" is in a hopeless con-
dition. He is not aware of his ignorance
and therefore does not desire to improve
| The second, ''who knows not and knous
| that he knows not is in condition to
learn. Being aware of his short comings
he all the more earnestly endeavors to
overcome them and become a man. The
third is all right if he only knew it. (Alas!
too many think they know they are all
! right when they are far from it, He is
the modest man who usually does
right but with many misgivings lest he
should be mistaken. He only needs to
! - 70 10
fourth is what all admire, all revere, all
wish to become man who is right, and
who knows he is right and never hesitates
but is ever decided and does his duty
regardless OF consequences. Mankind
needs not the last admonition, follow
him. they euer haze been and euer uW be
ready to follow and if necessary, to die
by such a leader. The consciousness of
right is the most powerful thing in this
world!
''Truth crushed to earth will rise again,
! The eternal years of God are hers,
But Error, wounded, writhes in pain,
And dies among her worshipers.''
Among the most interesting OF his
lectures are those On Literary topics. He
gave on Tuesday morning list of valu-
able books which should be read by every
teacher and every citizen. | am glad to
see SO strong an effort madeto get people
| to read good books and to discard with
absolute loathing and contempt the
irrelgious and corrupting trash which
now floods the land.
The lectures on each branch of study
are good, giving many valuable sugges-
ton to teachers. On Wednesday Mrs
McIver captured the institute by her
splendid reading of choice humorous
selections. Interesting as were the
Professors lectures everybody was glad
whenever it was announced that. "Mrs.
! McIver would read a selection, and there
is breathless stiffness and expectancy,
which is amply rewarded by the mastery
reading of her fine selections. Mr.. and
Mrs. McIver surely have the hearty
welcome of Teachers and the people of
Vance, We are glad to have them with US
and wish for them the greatest success in
their noble efforts for the higher educa-
/ ton of North Carolina fair daughters.
Long live the Normal and Industrial
school for girls to be an ornament and
a blessing to its faculty and the State.