Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-06-29
SPREADING SUNSHINE.
Prof. MaCormick's Bright Discussion of q
Bright Topic.


Bright Topic.
Prof. McCormick's lecture vester-
day before the county institute was
entitled "Sunshine." 1t was deliv
cred at 3 O'Clock to large audience
that entirely filled the spacious as
sembly room.
After paying most eloquent and
llowery tribute to old Sol, the source
of all material sunshine, the speaker
announced that the sunshine of hap
piness, good nature and unseliishness
would receive the principal attcn-
ton. No one can benefit the world in
a better way than by keeping good ma
turc, and irving to make other peo-
pie cheerful. No one has moral
right to be an iceberg. A christian.
above all others. ought to be of
gladstone and happy disposition.
There are people who mistake bilious
ness for religion and think that to be
endowed with grace, it is necessary
to look gloomy and sad. That church
or religion that will promote to the
utmost sunshine in the souls of men
Will be the most successful and will
approach the nearest to the ideal.
Grand words were spoken upon the
subject of home. In no place should
sunshine and mirth be found in
greater degree. Good homes reflect
themselves in the characters of the
people who live in them. There are
not enough homes of the right sort
in this country. America is not
country of homes. People live too
much on the street. in the office or at
the hotels. Splendid advice was Civ
en- to those mothers who keep their
homes in such an abnormal state of
tidiness that their boys arc driven to
the streets for the necessary fun that
all boys require. The cross and i'm
patient father who allows his temper
To blow off at will al home. and saves
his wit and smiles for the club or sa-
loon, was also introduced.
Qualities to Cultivate
The school teacher especially was
urged to cultivate those qualities
which will make the schoolroom a
temple of sunshine. a conservatory of
cheerfulncss. n garden of good will
and unselfishness.
Generous applause was given the
speaker. and the schoolma ANS agree
in thinking the lecture fine one.
Progress q: the Institute.
The fourth day of the institute
opened with more comfortable
temperature. This put the teachers
in good humor. and everyone beamed
benignly and smiled sweetly.
The music exercise was well at
tended. and the morning march was
shirked only by few. In the his
tory class the military operations in
the west in 1862 formed the topic OF
discussion. The stirring events
around FITS. Henry and Donnelson
were recapitulated. and methods of
teaching the various campaigns were
suggested.
DR.. krohn talked very entertain
ingly of the different methods of test
ing scientifically the exact physical
and mental condition of the child up
on entering school. A test of the
auditors memory was conducted for
the benefit of the teachers. They
were surprised to find that their
memory was so short and untrust-
worthy. The doctors experience has
shown that girls have better memo
ries than do the boys. On the other
hand, the boys rank higher in most
of the eye tests.
At 1880 most of the teachers lis
tened to pleasing exercise conduct
ed by Miss Davis with class of chill
dren. 1t was in the line of reading
work of a primary character, proba
bly, intended to illustrate the SEN
tence method.
DIR. Krohn gave a lucid account of
the way in which percentage should
be developed in au arithmetic class
The idea that per cent means by the
hundred should be always kept in
mind. Rules should not play an i'm
portant part in this work. Mechan-
ical formulas do not amount to much
without perfect understanding of
the principles and causes of every
operation.
Miles Standish's courtship was con-
tinued at II O'Clock, under the direc-
ton of Prof Hatch. The poem is in
teresting and the teachers take pleas
ure in being called upon to read in
turn.
At $50 most of the teachers went
up to the assembly room and listened
with attention to the interesting
work by Miss AIDA Muse in explana-
ton of the synthetic system of teach
ing reading. Miss Muse handles the
work in an able manner The sys-
tenn seems to be steadily growing in
favor. One thing is evident. how
ever, the teacher who expects to use
the system must be willing to put a
great deal of thorough study upon it
before she attempts to work with it
before a class.
Additions to the enrolment:
NJ Haiti, Framing, II Reynolds,
Mary Freeman, Carrie Frey-rmnth,
Dora Haitz, Mamie NJ Elhcrne
WI Framing. Maggie VoSel,
Jenf il Tew, Myrrle C,orSin
Hattie Taylor. Ethel Vincent,
Susie Edgingion, Florence McEutirc,
| ID W Mumma, Odell
Lizzie Martin.