The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-07-13
MISS SARAH PORTER.

A Woman's Unique Educational worn
in a New England Town.
Miss Sarah Porter was one OF the rev
conspicuous builders of character IN
the contemporary world of education
A keen. inclsive English visitor recent
ly said How thoroughly you Ameri-
cans believe in education! we IN Nng-
land do not If we Americans 'pelleVe
in education it is because of teachers
like Sarah Porter, who for upward Oh
fifty years sent out into the world gen
ration after generation OF women VINO
have proved themselves fit to carry
lifes heaviest burdens in the spirit OF
steady, cheerful workers.
Wherein was she so different from
other women? Why did she make such
an impression upon others character?
Her fundamental traits were love OF
study, love of her feloWmen, love OF
nature pleasure in communicating, I'M
,emtting industry, unselfishness, sound
ness of Judgment, cheerfulness, force OF
will, deep, unaffected piety. Her daily
and hourly occupation with some use
full work powerfully inculcated unset
fishness and industry. 1t was as natu-
raj for her to give as for fountain TO
pour forth its water or the sun It's llgnt.
Her activity seemed, moreover to be
wholly without friction. She was rare
ly hurried or worried. She could lay
down an intricate or abstract book to
meet some trifling demand, and return
at once to the work. She was remark
able. too, for never INDUCING lin regrets.
The consequence was that she used her
whole strength for the business in hand,
whatever this was She was habitually
prompt in decision and immediate in eX-
ecution. She had a wonderful physical
constitution, one hardly less remarka-
Bile than Gladstones. This made such
continuous and intense effort possible to
her as only two or three In a generation
can undertake.
Miss Porter's deep distrust of me-
chanism and fixed organization in mat
ters educational, which are so much
talked of in our day, came from her
conviction that these things tend to be
regarded as in some sort a substitute
for the essential-thG contact of mental
and spiritual life in the teacher with
the answering love and spiritual life in
the pupil She entertained many visi-
tors, who sought to find. If possible,
what was the secret of the success of
her school, All who came animated by
a spirit like her own were received with
the greatest kindness, and many GUS
toms and practices which she had found
useful were practised elsewhere. Thus
the Harrington type was reproduced,
consciously or unconsciously in many
places.
one more element of a strong person.
atty may be added that of charm.
This was independent of what are ordi-
namly thought of as personal attrac-
tons Her charm was due to the quail
tiles of mind and soul which shone
through the physical habitatlon which
they occupied. One recalls the force
and propriety of her language, her quiet
dignity of manner and gesture, the
freshness and range of her thought.
What were the affection and devotion
which she received from women it is SUI
perfuous to remark upon; an important
testimony to her powers of personal at
traction Is found in the many enduring
friendships with long list of men of
the highest conference.-the parents of
her pupils.-Professo w. M. Sloane in
the Century.