Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-04-26
FEoEBEL no USE DEDICATION.

Successful and Important Gathering at
the Dedication of the Building Sntur-
day:MorninE.
There was large gathering Saturday
morning at the dedicatory exercises OF
the new Froebel House, No. S3l Church
street. The reception room was crowded
to excess, some of the visitors taking
their seats in an ante-room beyond.
There is no doubt of the importance OF
the kindergarten movement now going
on in the city and the substantial re-
coGnition it has from the more intelli-
gent and philanthropic people of the
community.
From the personnel Of the ladies and
gentlemen gathered at the exercises
there is no doubt also as to the Interior
success of the Free kindergarten system
here.
The present building is only rented.
1t is furnished in homelike, attractive
manner. The walls Of the reception
room were decorated with numerous
fine engravings and photographs.
The benign features Of Friedrich
Froebel looked down on the audience
from an engraved portrait which was
prettily garlanded with white silk rib
bon bearing the legend, Kindergarten"
Miss Mather presided. In opening
the dedicatory exercises she said;
"In behalf of the Executive Associa'
ton of the Froebel House, it is pleas
ant duty and privilege to extend TO the
associates and friends present a most
earnest welcome,
"ltseemed wise to the executive board
to have this simple dedication of our
house in spite of the fact that we do
not own it, but have leased it only for
the year. Yet because the kindergarten
is so full of the love Of God, VIC desired
to have in very special way the blessing
of our Father throughout the year, and
thus it is that we have gathered together
this morning to ask for that blessing,
and to consider in brief some OF the
principles underlying the new edu'
| cation that we are anxious to see eX-
tended everywhere"
The first Of the exercises was prayer
and the reading of Il selection from the
scriptures by the Rev. Robert Watt Of
scott NJ. Il. Church.
Miss Negendank then read paper on
"Frocbel, the Man and the Educator
Isaac L. johnson, principal of Friend!
OCuOOi, iluuG All udNiSSo ul VIC SUI
iect of "The practical Relations of tht
kindergarten to Education" lie gave
illustrations from his experience Of thu
kindergarten classes at the Friends
School.
Miss Stone read paper on "The Re
lations of the kindergarten to tn,
Home" She said that the true kinder
garten is a philanthropic centre. Froe
bells theory was that childhood hold
the key to the conditions that influence
society. His ideas are indicated in TIN
scriptural words, land q little chilC
shall lead them"
Mrs. A. d. Warner followed in al
important paper on "rhe Relations o
the kindergarten to Social Reform.
She lkened the kindergarten to thu
"Children's Church Universal" Mrs
Warner advocated, with very logica
reasoning, the recognition under legis
latiye enactment of the kindergarten a
an integral part of the commonwealth
system of public education.
The closing incident of the dedicator
ceremonies was the reading of a
original poem written by Miss Harrie
McLear, by Miss Alice Smythe.
The benediction was pronounced b
the Rev. George Ii. Thompson of Olive
Presbyterian Church.
At the close of the ceremonies th
chairman, Miss Mather, extended
hearty invitation to those present
partake of tea and then to look throug
the Froebel house. Some 40 or so ladi,
remained. ."....