Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-11-10
SPIRIT OF THE TEACHER

Pref a. 3. Diapers address ~ the Rock
Island nisS school.
DR.. A. 8. Draper, regent Of the uni
versity Of Illinois, gave the first Of
series Of lectures arranged BY the
Rock island teachers, at the High
school auditorium last evening. His
subject was 1.-The Spirit Of the
Teacher" The room was filed with
teachers and friends.
DR.. Diaper said the spirit Of the
sescher is the spirit Of the school,
the spirit Of the nation, and the dom.
mating force Of advancing civiliza-
tioa The great free school system
Of the country Is the best inspira-
ton Of American character. 1t Is
the institution OF institutions. 1t
has been developed out of our exper.
fences and has been formed and
shaped by our necessities. 1t has all
the means Of the people behind it.
It is open to all, free from intoler-
ance, declaring the universal broth.
erhood Of man, providing an equip
msnt for any livelihood and pointing
ambition to the grandest accomplish
uents.
The speaker held that the heart as
we'll as the mind is involved in the
vocation Of the teacher. The emo
tional. as we'll as the intellectual ele-
ments Of human nature, play i'm
portant parts In she work Of train.
ing others. By the spirit is meant
the emotional nature held and
guarded by reason; the intellectual
nature propelled and determined by
the nobler emotions. The spirit 10
the life principle. tho immortal part,
the energy. vivncity, ardor, attach.
ments and courage which first deter
mines upon and then asoomplishes
On undertaking. The qualities OF
the teacher em brace culture and re.
finsment. II the teacher has devel.
opsd she immortal part, there will b,
shown purity. strength. delicacy o.
feeling and nobility Of bearing
These qualities embrace kindness,
and the teacher cannot be too kind
Il is the kindness that wins tn,
child's heart and endeavors. TrHtl
is the foundation of character. Thu
other virtues rest upon it. II tn,
principle Of truth be established th'
other elements OF an honorable
career will be likely to follow along
The school must be kept close to tai
people; 1t must be a bond of uniol
among the people; 1t must be com
mon ground upon which all parties
and sects, and clans and classes ma,
meet. 1t must not only be in sym
pathy with the best that is in ou
American life. but it must exemplif'
the best that is in our life, and
must point the way to even bette
and higher and nobler things be
yond. 1t must not only point tn
wsy, it must lead the way. II mus
be in touch with the culture OF on
best homes. 1t must promote skill
, fulness in the shops, and honor an,
alertness In the centers OF trade. !
must sympathize with the poor.
must honor industry. II must hell
the struggling. 1t must respect tn
strong. 1t must be against stupidit
and slothfulness on the one hand an
snobbisbness and apishness on tn
other. 1t must etand for all tina
makes foS the intellectual activity
the normal fibre and the strong com
mon sense OF the people.
| Warm applause followed the clos
OF DR.. D'sper's lecture. and he wa
heartily thanked in behalf of tn
teachers by Sups. r G. Young. Dr
DrsP-r was banqueted at the Harpe
house after the lecture by q humble
OF the alimni OF the state university
10 left this morning for Champaign