The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-12-12

Teachers Institute.
The Teachers Institute for Burlington
and Ocean counties was held in the Opera
House, last week, opening on Wednesday
Rev. Eli Clifford, of the Mount Holly M
E. Church, offered prayer.
Ex-Prosecutor Charles E. Hendrickson
delivered the address of welcome. He
said that the march of the profession Of
teaching was eyer upward and onward
with no end to the limit of doing good
The Institute is of great benefit to both
teachers and pupils, as the latter lose
nothing by the vacation, but, on the con-
trary, gain by the opportunities given to
teachers for advanced thinking. The In
stitute is a help both socially and intel
lectually. One year ago he welcomed a
similar gathering in this place and to-day
he was pleased to again welcome the
members of the Institute to Mount Holly.
Prof. G. d. Raine, principal of the
Mount Holly public schools, responded
He said that teaching had developed into
a profession, especially in New Jersey-a
profession above medicine, the law, and
on level with, if not above theology, a
profession the grandest, most noble and
most to be admired. The school room
ought not to be prison, but should be
the brightest, most cheerful spot in
child's life. To be able to attend Nor
NAL school, is grand opportunity for
teacher, but reading may take the place of
attendance there If this has been impossi-
BILE. Good teachers are often made by
such reading, and Normal school grad
yates are often poor teachers. OF course
this is not the rule. He was glad to see SO
many present, and hoped that all would
be benefited.
Prof. B. c. Gregory, Supervising Princi-
pal of the public schools of Trenton, then
delivered lecture on psychology His
purpose was not to teach psychology, but
to present it in an attractive form and to
show how it may be made practical study
He advised the study of the subject to
such an extent as to make it of practical
value to the teacher.
Miss Emery. of Trenton, followed with
an address on drawing. The pupil should
use mental power in connection with the
mechanical part of the work. Drawing
could be better studied without system,
although a plurality of systems is often an
advantage. Children should never be al
lowed to depend upon the aid OF a ruler.
Miss Emery supplemented her remarks
with black board exercises.
Prof. Gregory then resumed his subject
of psychology. An invariable rule was OF
no value. A child's vitality and intellect
would naturally become exhausted as the
day advanced, therefore the heavier sub
iects should be taken up in the earlier
part of the day. The individuality OF
each child should be especially studied.
Rivalry was once cultivated extensively
among pupils, but as love and rivalry were
incompatible. love between both teachers
and scholars should be cultivated in pref
erence to the others. The true idea OF
beauty is an important thing to be Gull
tivated, and perception is one OF the
most important faculties of child's mind
to which teacher should pay attention.
Miss Emery then again took up the
subject of drawing Modelling in clay is
very valuable in giving children ideas of
form, and for smaller children modelling
is of more value than drawing.
Dr. James NJ Green, of the State Nor
NAL School. spoke ON "a Science of Edi-
cation" The time had come when the
old ways of teaching had been abandon
ed, and new channels had been followed.
"How shall do the work that | am call
ed upon to do ?" is the question asked by
the teacher to-day. Col Parker, of Hi
nois, thought that the idea of having
specialists as teachers was antagonstic to
the broadness of mind desirable in all
fields of instruction. knowledge in any
one direction is not necessary to success
in life, but a broad, well-developed mind
is always to be desired. This may be OBJ
tanned by correct way of thinking.
Everything taught must be taught along
the line of the development of mind,
every mind thinking in its own direction.
the teacher to do the guiding, every idea
advanced to be within the comprehension
of each pupil, and to be what has been
shown to be most necessary TO the success
of the pupil in whatever station OF life he
may be placed.
In the evening, Prof. James A. Young,
of Princeton College, gave an illustrated
lecture on 'The SUM-"
Rev. Martin Aigner. of Trinity Episco-
pal Church, opened Thursdays session
with prayer.
superintendent Lonan asked the teach
ers to consider the question of meeting in
Ocean county next year.
Prof. Gregory then renewed his talk on
practical Psychology" taking as his sub
ject "the growth of the moral sentiment"
The fewer rules that are offered. the bet
ter. In punishment of pupil the indi-
vduality of the child should be studied,
as the punishment would be failure if
the child hated it rather than the act for
which it was inflicted.
After piano solo by Miss Goodher, of
Burlington, Hon. Henry Houck, of Penn
sylvania, gave his lecture on School
Management" He considered as incor-
rect the old maxim that "a bad beginning
makes good ending" Teachers leave
an impress of their own character on
their pupils, therefore very much de-
ponds upon good foundations good
beginning. How to study is an import
ant thing for teachers to impress upon
their pupils. Mr.. Houck occupied much
of the afternoon session and also spoke in
the evening.
On Friday Mr. Houck continued his
talk, followed by Hon. A. B. Poland,
State Superintendent.
The Institute adjourned at noon.
Tn Aid Of the Poor.