Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-07-10
EAGER LISTENERS.
The teachers Know the Ropes
and Make Fine Pupils.
Busy Day at American Institute of
instruction at Portland.
MANY Maine Teachers sent-Interestinq
Exercises-Fine Music,

Portland, July This morning, the
attendance at the American Institute of
instruction was much larger than had
been expected, the hall being well filed
At 80 O'Clock President Stetson called
the convention to order and introduced J.
Wizard Brown of the Emerson school, Bos-
ton who offered prayer, followed by fine
vocal selection from the Temple Quartet
An encore was asked and generously
granted.
PRESIDENT Stetson asked all present to
become members of the association on ac-
count OF the advantages it will confer up
on them
Inc president made an explanation of
the absence OF President Francis A. Wal
ker OF the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology. President Walker is about
ID take trip to Alaska, with o party of
friends, hence he was unable to come to
the meeting, today but he sent his paper,
on The Relation Of Manual Training to
Certain Mental Defects, and it was read
by Mr.. Charles W. Parmenter Of Cam
bridgeport, secretary of the Institute.
The next speaker was Dr. Henry S.
Baker, principal of the jefferson school of
st. Paul, on Fatigue"
The president announced the following
committees: Nominations, O. b Bruce,
Lynn; Thomas b. Stockwell, Providence
Claiming Folsom, Dover; A. H. Camp
bell, johnson, VT. A. W. Harris, Orono
Membership, A. f. Pease, Northampton;
G. L. Ames, Hartford j E. Mowry,
DpnyiJnpno DneoI,,t;,t,s,
well, Cambridge; W. W Curtis, Paw
tucket; o. H. Drake. Pittsfeld, John
Peck, New Britain.
Miss Caroline M. Hewins, librarian of
the public library, Hartford, CT, read al
able paper on d" Library Methods of Study.
Rev. j r. Day, ID. d., chancellor of
Syracuse University, who had been an
nounced as one Of the speakers, was IN
able to be present, and President Gates of
Amthers, sent a telegram stating that he
could not attend the convention. Presi-
dent Stetson said that President Whit
man Of CODY University, would take the
pace of DIR. Day. Rev. DR.. John G. Mer-
rill of Portland, then read a paper written
by President Charles +. Thwing of the
Western Reserve and Adelbcrt College.
What More Can the American College
Do to Help American Life?" was the sub
ject, and an abstract follows: 1.-The
American college has helped to train one
third of our statesmen; more than one
third of our best authors almost one
half of our more distinguished physicians;
fully one-half of our lawyers more than
one half of our best clergymen. and con-
sdcrably more than one-half of our most
conspicuous educators, and so far as the
influence of these leaders in national life
entered into the life of the people, so far
has the life of the college become the vital
force in American character. Such Is the
record of the past.
Truth, without training, makes the
mind a mere granary; training, without
truth, makes the mind a mere mill with
out grist to grind; but truth and training
make the mind the possible agency for
usefulness Truth and training and cul
ture make the mind a forcible agency for
usefulness and for beauty, and the college
Is now beset in representing this spiritual
aid by two oppsite forces
One difficulty that besets the college in
the maintenance OF this lofty purpose is
the athletic interest. 1 do not apprehend
that the difficulties which certain colleges
meet with in the proper administration
of these athletic interests are to become
widespread or remain lasting
But difficulty far more serious is OPP
posing the intellectual purpose of the col
Iere. and lies in increasing luxury of col
lege living. The college may help the lie
of the nation through intelligent and
sympathetic treatment of all sociological
onestions. The goth century is to be a
m th .r
aid national life by the presentation of a
Christianity which is nationally intense
without being sectarian.
A third method by which the college
NAV bless American life is through the
inculcation and illustration of broad and
high patriotism. The college should in
cnlcate love for country-a patriotism
which is broad, enthusiastic and vital; a
natriotism high without boastfulness; a
patriotism deep as the instincts OF the
human heart.
II IS thus that the American college can
lead the people in times of national crisis
through the ways of strength into the
wavs of peace. The American college
should have for it's purpose the giving of
the best education TO every boy or girl who
desires it. l should be glad to see the time
come when the college education would
bs so cheap that every poor boy and girl
could have it, and also to have it remain
sufficiently high to make every boy and
Girl that does have it feel that it is of
priceless worth
Another method is through more vital
teachings and teachers. Scholarship
should always be demanded of a teacher,
Int there is thing more precious than
scholarship, and that Is life and character.
The college should demand character OF
the highest type and life of the most vital
tnrce to BIO had from each one who at
tomnts to lead the youth into the paths OF
love and light and life.
President B. l. Whitman OF Colby
University. was the last speaker de
aid that he should talk in general way
of education. With the ancients the body,
ire care and preservation was the END
sonpht The modern teacher does not
overlook the Importance of the thorough
care of the body while keeping the higher
onds in view. The idea is, today, TO
edncate men to such n degree that they
vvi,I he able to deal intelligently with the
l,-