The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-11-28
ADDRESS OF 0. 0 SlYlOR
Il Teachers Institute in Response TO
the Address Of Welcome.

teachers Of the public schools of som
erset county. | thank the gentleman
for these very cordial words Of wei
come. We have listened with much
interest 20 these cheering, earnest, IN
sniring words. We are impressed
anew with the great responsibilities that
r.-St upon the teachers of the public
schools. We. n teachers of the public
schools Of som ersct county, have come
un hers, a. i our annual custom, 10 meet
in convention where we shall receive in
sfrgcrian and discuss questions pertain
ing to our work. The real benefit of
these institutes can not be seen at once
and hence we are apt 10 underestimate
the importance of them. The benefits
TO ise had are not such n can be estl-
mated by a business calculation. We
can not. like the business man, strike a
balance and say 80 much gain or so
much loss. An important factor IN
the teachers work, and one which Is
ant Ia be overlooked, j that unseen, ST.
lent influence which produces, fire.
ouently, the most important results
All men. Of whatever occupation or
position in life, exert Il certain iniiu-
eucc upsa their fellowmen, whether
fhev are conscious of ii or not; but ii
i the teacher who in silent manner
exerts the most powerful influence
upon the boys and girls, an influence
that viii 90 down through all time and
into the grcs; beyond.
Al the sessions Of this institute an
influence will be exeTted by the lect-
urer upon the teachers, by the teachers
upon one another that viii not be APP
parent at once, but it will be yielding
ripe and golden fruit in its proper sea
son. Ii will be seen in the more ear
nest teacher, the more thoughtful
teacher, the more patient teacher, The
more conscientious teacher.
If these institutes accomplish no
other good than to arouse a greater en-
thusiasm among the teachers, great
good will have been accomplished
What grand word enthusiasm i. 1t
surmounts all difficulties; it goes
abroad into the fields of science and
gathers knowledge that lifts and ele-
Yates the mind; il builds our school
houses and churches and asylums and
various charitable institutions; il
ad0rns our art galleries with the finest
paintings and works OF sculpture; II
produces the finest gems in the various
fields of literature; it searches deep in
to philosophy and brings forth truths
that claim the attention of the world;
il enters into every work of love and
mercy. We need more enthusiasm for
life's work. How shall we get il? Can
it be cultivated? Can it be produced in
one who is no. enthusiastic? Enthusi-
asm in one viii produce it in another.
There Is nothing 80 contagious aS Ell
thusiasm and truth accOmplishes no
victories without it. Ii i this element
in mans nature that has accomplished
the great revolutions and refOrmations
OF the earth. There must be reason
back of T. The intellect lays the foun-
dltion broad and deep and then the
emotional part Of our nature l. aroused
and i the instrument which forces it
self into mems hearts. We must be-
able 10 endure 10 accomplish anything.
Success comes in measure only "a we
are devoted 10 our work. Take and
study the life of any great leader or It.
former of any age or any country and
what do we find predominating? Ii i
his great earnestness i'm the cause in
which he i engaged, his great enthu-
siasm for the work, his great devotion
for that which i 10 be accomplished.
II j. important not only that We
Reason well and have good Judgment,
but We must be earnest in what We un-
dertake. The humblest work i'm life
should be performed with that enthu-
siasln that will lead TO the most inn
partant results. Let Us then fill our
selves with enthusiasm and Lex this be
the time and the place where We shall
repleni>h our stock and where the in
1iuence of the most enthusiastic work
crs shall touch the mind und heart of
each one Of Us and cause us to 90 away
from here inspired anew for our call
ing in lie.
The teacher needs inspiration. He
needs TO receive new hope and encouT-
agement for his work. The gentleman
in his address has well said that we
need TO relieve the monotony of our
work. How apt we are to fall into
that dull, monotonous way of work, |
Zach day follows another i'm the same |
routine and We lose that force and Wig
or which are 80 essential to success.
There is no spark of enthusiasm 10 |
brighten or cheer us on our way. We, |
then, a teachers, desire 10 be encour- |
aged in our work. have often |
thought that if parents and directors |
could but know how few kind words |
Of good cheer and encouragement |
would help their teachers to do more /
earnest, successful work, they would /
more frequently lend helping hand
in that way. The presence at this in
stitute Of all who are interested in the
welfare of our schools will be greatly
appreciated by Us, and We feel that
these very cordial words of welcome
10y the distinguished gentleman, words
coming from Oh of the leading and
foremost citizens of Somerset. i sure
guarantee that our meeting will be
well attended by the public and that
the interest shown will arouse feeling
of enthusiasm that will touch each
teacher here, and that will, through
the teachers, find its way into every
school in the county and there reach
each pupil Of our schools and thus car
Ty wave of enthusiasm into the
schools OF or county that will contin-
ue 10 place them still higher i'm the
column of education and progress. To
this end il our desire. For the accom-
plishment Of this object are these
institutes. The good effects os the in
stitute of last year are still a benefit to
me and | eXpect TO receive greater ben
eiits this year.
Another h.uefif which we ~ teach ]