Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-30


school. the experience of the teachers
generally broader each teacher mas IeWef
classes per day and accordingly Is able to
devote more time to the preparation OF
the same. 1t Is not multiplicity OF studies
that necessarily makes the SchQoi hlgh
since the work may be such as 70 render
1t exceedingly low, but the quality or the
work done is the real test to be con-
sidered. The public school is for the
greatest good of the greatest number and
can never be 1.tr those not in the process
sion. AS some one has said "lt can
never furnish ambulances for the spec
iitls nor acrohatic performers for the
genius"
The ordinary country public school will
best subserve it's purpose not when 1t at
temptS to devote one third of its time to
fitting the one boy out of 1909 that desires
to go to college. but when 1t devotes it's
energies to the remaining large number
who need preparation lust as thorough.
!ust as careful for the general pursuits
to which they must devote their living
and upon which will depend the pros
perlty of our country
IL Is at present acknowledged that the
great aim of the school should be char
acter building and all instruction that
trnds not to the true development of the
enid is contrary to the great demands of
education and the world The New Eng
land academy has been and is, today
especially fortunate in the materials
composing it and without superior ma
terials who can expect to develop the
perfect symmetry or noble character1n Il
student? As rule the students come
from our small towns some from labor
on the rocky farm who have felt within
them the yearningS for wider knOwl-
edge. for broader outlook than any be-
Tore known. poor many of them-yet will
ing to work. others perhaps have seen
more of town life: these together with
an occasional pupil from some city make
up the material with which the academy
has to deal and it is from such material
that we md large percentage of orr
ablest men in public life have come and
/ believe that in the past, and today. the
strength mot only physical but mentaD
of the student body in our Maine colleges
lies In this same material supplied to it
in large part from our academies. The
moral atmosphere of the academy Is also
especially favorable to develop right
Ideals since always there Is prevailing it
Il high honorable and noble purpose
which must inevitably made itself felt
on the student body.
What shall say of the builders? Truly
In the past there have been many worthy
the material whose lives have left an i'm
preston upon others that has indeed re-
bounded to the good of the world. OF the
present y need not speak except as to
what they should be- In no public school
does the teacher have such close personal
contact with the student, which may be
and is one of the strongest forces in
fashioning the character of the child.
Shakespeare says hat.-"Heaven doth
with us as we with torches do. not light
them for themselves: for if our virtues
did not go forth of us. twas all alike. as
if we had them not.
The academy was founded upon broad
principles, principles that may never
grow old. II has served to raise the
educational standards in rural communi-
ties. it has nobly fulfilled it's mission as
college preparatory school. while in its
affect on the New England character its
influence has been marked. and | do not
believe that the time has yet come when
the ordinary public school can say To the
academy, We have no need of thee
At this time the words slightly para
phrased of one whose reputation as
orator and statesman is familiar to every
true American occur TO me- shall en-
ter on no cncomium upon the New Eng
land academy-she needs none. There
she is-hehold her and judge for your
selves. There is her history. the world
knows it by heart. The past at least is
secure Let the academy rally to her
responsibilities. to her opportunities and
| predict that the future will show no
diminution to the lustre Of her golden
record.
A the conclusion of Mr. Larrabee's
paper, the society adjourned until 80
o'clock. in the evening.