The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1894-11-20

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ever, that the exercises would be interest
ing and instructive to those assembled.
Roll was called, and it was found Their
were but few absentees.
Prof Charles 7. Barnes, of Sauquoit. n
Y, was the first speaker. His subjec
. was "How to secure and hold the atten
: ton of pupils"
Is Three hundred times he has stood be
II fore New York Institutes, but he did no
u see that they were much different from
y those of New Jersey. To look after thu
physical and moral condition of chilC
and to concentrate the attention of thu
! pupil is the foundation of proper training
a Teachers and parents neglect this i'm
= portant matter to the detriment of the in
D tellectual power. All knowledge OF the
q outer world comes through the senses
: hence it is important TO pay attention tC
the aptitude OF the mind to outer things
: If every child would give attention tC
8 his studies, the teachers work would be
t easy.
How is that attention to be secured
The old plan was to strike pupil on the
head with hand or book. That day has
gone by, and the teacher who goes Out
full of power. vim and determination can
accomplish great deal. The indomita-
BILE will OF Napoleon made him the great
man he was. Washington, Lincoln and
Grant all had that will power that is sure
| 30 a. oil Of int
est has more to do with controlling atten-
ton than any other interest. Desire also
has a share in the matter. If a teacher
has the desire to become good educator,
coupled with the necessary interest, he
can not 90 very far astray.
At the conclusion of Prof. Barnes re-
marks, there was vocal music.
Prof. C. D. Raine, principal of Mount
gogy." The word is one which is not
easily defined by everybody. Somebody
has called it the science of education. I"
Those assembled were present for an OBJ
iect, which was to be enlightened and
instructed in the calling they had chosen.
Many teachers had an idea that they
were in the business merely to get a liv-
ing, but that impression is gradually
disappearing The time was when little
care was exercised in the selection of
teacher; now the employee is an educator,
sought after because be has given his vo-
cation attention and has studied that he
| r,oxv hoo0r,a IN biCsoollfpO
The speaker deprecated the manner in
which teachers are often engaged. FIRE.
quently sympathy enters into this matter,
with the result of the selection of one
quired. Every teacher should have
thorough knowledge of human beings in
general, children in particular, both phys
ically and mentally. The mind has in
herent faculties which must be studied
with a view of securing a thorough &C
quaintance with them. This can be done
by looking back through the teachings of
those who have given the subject atten-
ton.
Without strict understanding of all
the characteristics of a pupil, success on
the part of teacher is impossible. Will
power perveIseness, irritability, and a
hundred other little traits must be watch
ed and given attention especially adapted
to the case. There is natural law for
studying everything. and the best way to
study children is by obtaining a knowl-
edge of the individu alities of the children,
by those under whose care they have been
placed.
In the afternoon Prof. Barnes resumed
the talk he began in the morning. Not
every child is dominated by the same ele-
ment. One has strong will, another self
every person is able to control these
characteristics. A skilful physician al
ways diagnoses his case that the proper
remedy may be applied. A teacher
is sacred thing, and it should be so treat
ed, and his ambition to do right should
be encouraged. The lazy scholar should
be given some stimulating potion, some
duties Ridicule is double-edged sword.
never under ordinary circumstances a safe
weapon, but in the case of lazy scholar,
used with discretion, it may be applied
with good results.
Children cannot give their attention to
lessons if they are compelled to occupy
rooms not properly ventilated. A physi-
clan of no mean repute had told the |
speaker that nine-tenths of the cases of
consumption not hereditary, emanated in
foul school rooms. Prof. Barnes gave an
interesting description of his visit to the
New York Asylum for feeble-minded chill |
dren. illustrating the point that where
there is the slightest evidence of atten-
ton, there is always chance of education.
Miss Laura M. Gaskill. of Mount Holly,
recited selection, which was heartily |
applauded.
Miss Goodher, of Burlington, showed
her ability as musician by well rem
dered piano solo.
William II. Stops, principal of the Riv-
erside schools, then spoke on algebra"
The study is not popular, and it was not
until within short time that 1t has been
taken up with any degree of interest.
The primary studies of the public schools
are an elegant preparation for algebraic
education. The State Normal School must
rely upon the public schools for it's per-
petuation. but pupil from the latter can
not secure entrance there unless given a
thorough education in the higher branch
es of mathematics, and there is no
doubt that everybody would gladly well
come any movement to bring this subject
to the front.
Prof Ralne then resumed his remarks
on Pedagogy" He gave an amusing re-
cital of his efforts to learn to ride q BIZ
cycle, to Illustrate his idea that self-instruc-
ton is absolutely necessary in every voca-
ton of life. In majority of cases where
children fail TO give attention it is the
fault of the. teacher or the subject. not the
scholar. Let every child be taught to use
his own powers of observation that he
shall be a seeker, finder and retainer
of knowledge
The evening exercises were opened
with music by the Y. M. G. A. orchestra,
after which Prof. Barnes lectured on the
Methods of instruction"
Rev. Martin Aiener. rector of Trinity
Church. Mount Holly, opened Thursday
mornings session with prayer. After roll
call. Miss Goodher played piano solo,
County Superintendent Haas then took