The Portland daily press., 1895-07-10

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tribution box.
In general, solf control is lost by
| fatigue and the lower faculties run riot.
A tired person is usually cross or misera-
ble Boys who are allowed to roam about
at night when their higher and nobler
faculties are rendered inactive by the
fatigue of the day are liable to become
criminally inclined. The rested boy is
stronger to resist the baser passio ms.
Early retiring is the safe guard of
virtue.
1t will be seen that it is fatigue that
causes teachers to break down and pupils
to dislike school. In order to learn, there
should be no more fatigue of the body
than is possible
1t was a wise man who said "Nothin 9
should ever be done standing, that can
be done sitting, and nothing sitting that
can be done lying down.
The teacher who stands at her work is
making mistake.
DR.. Baker said that he had made it a
special purpose, in the case of all teachers
for whom he hasibeen responsible, to in
duce them to sit down in the school room
as much as possible. This also applies to
the pupils. To keep a class standing for
| 90 minutes is to poison the blood and dull
the brain, and induce dislike of learning.
We naturally dislike that which tires us.
The effect of fatigue on the teacher is
very apparent upon the scholars.
The wiggling teacher makes her pupils
| wigglers, while a teacher who is at rest
physically induces healthful effect upon
the scholar. If the attitude of the teach
er is unpleasant, because of the effect of
fatigue, the pupil is directly influenced
and retarded in efforts to learn.
Since disagreeable emotions are SO
potent in their fatiguing effect, scold-
ing teacher wearies his scholars and him
self.
MStupidity is produced in both the
scolded and the scolder.
A Ldisagreeable impression from others
has direct effect in causing fatigue.
The slang phrase, He makes me tired. -
has sound scientific basis. 1t might be
just as appropriately said "He makes
me sick. !" Disagreeable emotions waste
the brain tissue and poison the blood
and the effect is physical fatigue. If con-
tinued it would induce illness.
1t is noticeable that it is the boy who
does not learn, who has not exercised
his higher faculties, who gives
way to the best desires and emotions and
cuts up capers. He is also noisy, while
I,,e Ind ier Of
Like animals, his mouth is his psychic
cent1e.
The development of the physical pow
ers, solely, is at the sacrifice of the nobler
powers. The Spartans, though not so
noted for pysical powers, were equally
noted for moral degradation.
Prize fighters are not noted for their
thought power or their morality, and they
never will be.
One reason for the small proportionate
attendance at our churches may be ac.
counted for by fatigue, which prostrates
first the higher and nobler faculties.
A mans religious nature after hard
days work on Saturday, is at low ebb.
A half holiday Saturday afternoon would
largely increase church attendance.
The effect of fatigue is just as apparent
upon the moral, as we'll as the religious,
nature at the end of the weeks labor
The conscience is also used up by Satur-
day, and man who is strictly honest on
Monday morning cannot be so fully
trusted on Saturday night
DIR. Bakers paper was received with
enthusiastic appause.
President Stetson referred to the health
full condition of DR. Bakers brain cells
and said that if anybody wished to en-
quire about his school room easy chair,
they could do so after the meeting.
He then announced that the subject
was open for discussion.
.sSDr. Carroll superintendent of schools in
Worcester, Mass, John G.. Thompson,
principal of thelNormal School at Fitch
burg, Mass, and James S. Barrel of
Cambridge, Mass, took exceptions to DIR.
Bakers paper in regard to his statement
as to the necessity of quiet in the school
room; the suppression of the natural
hustle; the significance of noisiness
and the expression of thought in low
tone, etc., and also in regard to the
value of physical development. Mr.. Car
roll referred to the superiority of the Eng
lish in athletics, and said that our
schools were criticized because of the de-
ficiency in this respect.
DR.. Baker replied that it was a ques-
tion as to whether we wanted genera
tion of Spartans OF Athenians. In regard
to the activity of pupils in physical de-
monstration and the making of noise. he
wished to emphasize the difference be-
tween emotion and thought. A minister
may excite emotion in his audience, and
consequent demonstration of approval
without appealing to the reason He
only appeals to their feelings and per-
haps desires only that.
The political speaker endeavors to ap-
peal to the feelings rather than the reason
of his hearers.
DIR. Sheldon rose to remark that while
great many Americans are undoubted-
ly too nervous to think valuably, yet there
are a great many Americans who are
ctnniI Aooor1;,c +, r.