The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-11-05
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containing over 5000 inhabitants were
given separate superintendent; his
tory was added to the common branch
es; an examination in Theory of
Teaching was required of all desiring
to teach; permanent certificates were
arranged for, and the professional
placed upon a better basis. These are
a few OF the many wise pieces of leg
islatiOn for which we have to thank
DR.. Wickersham.
There has been no one period in
the history of education in Pennsyl-
vania when greater progress has been
made. In 1881 he was appointed min
| lister to Denmark, his last high office.
The remainder of his life until his
death in 1891, was spent in business
and in literary work
His death left blank in literary
circles, his memory is embalmed in
the generation he labored to serve.
| DR.. Wickersham has left us his
| school Economy" Method of In
| struction," and "A History of Educa-
| tion in Pennsylvania" works read with
pleasure and profit by educators. and
works which will last as long as the
! Pennsylvania free school system ex-
lists.
These works are among the best in
| their lines, they are exhaustive treat
ises upon the subjects handled-logic-
| al and comprehensive, after subject
| is finished one feels that there is lit
| tie more that need be said. His works
| very aptly characterize the man. He
! possessed q mind unusually far reach
! ing. When once lie took hold of
subject he did it with determination
! to master it's details.
a MAN OF GREAT ENERGY.
when filling an Office he threw into
! it all his energies and made himself
"A power in any position he filled. Some
of his sayings deserve to be handed
| down to posterity as gems of rare
value. In speaking of the scenery
around q school house, he says 'Ac-
custom person to look upon the beau
| tiful in nature and he will learn to
appreciate the beautiful in lifel
Speaking Of parental duties in con-
nection with school work, he says: Let
| children have a strong natural consti-
tuition, be trained to work. eat proper
food, dress in a healthy manner sleep
well, breathe pure air, shun luXuries
of hard study will do them injury.
But if they are permitted, from the
age of five and upward to attend par
ties at night. sip wine, smoke cigars,
indulge in confections, make love to
babies like themselves, eat what they
please, and go where they please, all
expense for true educational purposes
might as well be saved; for. under
| ha
not endure study.
Speaking of teachers, he says: The
teacher must not forget that he is a
citizen and a member of society. The
education of the human soul is GER
tainy Il task as difficult as that of
making shoes, or building houses. Sue
cess may be attained in any profess
sion by practice but in none are blind
| experiments so dangerous as in teach
ing. The highest end of the study of
nature is TO find God in His works
HIS MANY SAYINGS.
II could multiply his sayings indefi-
nitely, but these are sufficient for my
purpose, that of convincing you that
the works of DR.. Wickersham deserve
the high place they occupy I'm the edu-
cationaI world. Although he was not
an active politician, yet he was in
terested in political matters and had
political aspirations. 1t is said of him
that he might have been governor of
the state or United States senator had
he not been too scrupulously honest
for the politicians. In any public Of
flee he desired to be the servant of
the people, unhampered by obligations
to political machine. He was in
tensely patriotic ana when the war
broke out, wished to enlist and could
have had a colonels commission, but
Governor Curtin said to him: L can
get ten colonels to one principal of IA
normal school; you are doing more
good Where you are SO he stayed in
the school room until Pennsylvania
was invaded by the Stars and Bars,
then Cinclnnatus like he laid aside the
habiliments of school life, and took his
place at the head of q regiment. When
Lee was driven back humiliated and
all danger OF northern invasion at an
end, he laid aside his uniform and
sword and returned with honest de-
light to his school. His death called
forth eulogiums from the best men of
the state"