The Portland daily press., 1894-11-24
THE EVENING SESSION

Al the evening session there was a
large attendance. In we'll chosen and
entirely appropriate words Chairman
Andrews introduced the Rev. Matt S.
Hughes, who was to speak upon the snb-
iect of the Highest function of the
teacher.n He captivated his audience at
the beginning, as usual. He said sthat
we have passed the period Of applied in
struction-the wooden age. He contrast
ed the ancient with the modern school.
declared the necessity of purpose in
teaching and also of the paramount i'm
portance OF character-culture over mere
book learning-th acquiring of certain
percentage in examination. He traced
the gradual deliverance of the school
from the church, but added the warning
that the modern school should not forget
it's paternity, nor the fact that the old
church school taught morality. He
smoke of the relation of the state to the
school and the subject Of the former to
protect itself by the latter, especially
at the ballot-box
The highest function therefore of the
teacher is to subserve the purpose of the
state. This can only4be done by charac.
ter building. The teacher is not only to
store the pupils mind with.knowledge,
but the highest function consists i'll de-
veloping an ability in the pupils to
make earnest and conscientious use of
that knowledge.
This is but the briefest mention of
Rev. Mr.. Hughes's discourse, which was
as lofty and inspiring, yet as plain and
as simple as it's important subject-the
highest function of the teacher.
Though our space is limited, we must
include one little bon mot. In speaking
of methods of teaching he said that he
had come to distrust methods, Method
ist though I am"
NOTES.
III the hall is most interesting exhi-
bit of the tools and the work of Princi-
pal Holden's scholars in manual train
ing. From the initial process of simple
straight line drawings or plans upon
wood to the finished carving of graceful
designs on panels the exhibit would be
revelation TO the average citizen of
what fine work with tools is being done
by the boys from 10 to Is years of age
in our manual training school.
Today at 10 o'clock a. M. there will be a
| most interesting exhib bit of the work of
the deaf school. Among those present
were Principal Corthell of the State
Normal School at Gorham 4 Rev.
B. P. ESnow,l principal of . Yarmouth
Academy; Superintendent Robbins of
Deering and Observation-Disclosures; Princi-
pal SmalIssof the Westbrook High school;
Principal Crosby of the Deering High
school; Superintendent Hill Of Cape
Elizabeth; ex-Superintendent Cobb OF
| Westbrook; Superintendent Moore of
Yarmouth, also principal of the High
| school there; Principal Hawkes. Of the
| Cape Elizabeth High school, one of the
Oldest in service in, the county; Princi-
pal Woodman of Gorham High school
| and others. swn l
| The programme todayais as follows:
Saturday, 800 a. m. 81.
| My Visit to Toronto Schools,
Superintendent o. NJ .Lo I'd
School Reading,
| Superintendent &c. Phillips
Glass Exercise, Miss Ada L. Davis
What Shall be the Nature of the Busy
| Work in the Primary School
| Topic for general discussion. ~
| Recess.
Glass Exercise by the Pupils Of the Deaf
| School.
| Are Fixed Examinations Good Or
an Evil? Eth. Crosby,W. W. Woodnian
Afternoon, 2 p. M.
Btasihsess
Manual Training, William C. Holden
| When and in what way can we best
assist pupils about their lessons.
General Discussion.
Ethical Instruction,
DR.. Henry Blanchard