The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-06-14

most pleasant feature of the assembly
to enjoy the c~ompanionship of friends
from all parts of the state. The broad
verandaS of the Seashore hotel, the
cooling sea breeze and the lulling
sound of the nearby surf give a charm
to the occasion which is full of ~inspira-
ton. Before the meeting of the assem-
bly, the scene is an inspiring one, and
forms a happy Introduction to the days
work.
Yesterdays session Of the Teachers
assembly was opened. as usual. with
devotional exercises: after which was
called the committee on Courses of
study in English and literature. Owing
to the absence of the chairman, Pro-
fessor Claxton. of Greensboro. the COM
mittee's report and the discussion of it
was deferred until today.
The assembly then eagerly awaited
the discussion of North Carolina his
tory. with reference to the teaching of
it in the schools; and Judge Walter
Clark of the supreme court, offered his
address upon the subject which was at
tentively listened to with interest. The
address is interesting and the Messen-
ger will endeavor to print it in a future
issue, nence we IOrDedr making any
extracts from it today.
Professor Bivins, of Trinity Park
High School, read an exhaustive, but
far from e~xhaIsting, paper on DR..
Arnold. of Rugby. In his introduce
ton to the subject Professor Bivins
said:
Surely. among the heroes of the
ages, the consecrated schoolmaster de-
serves a place. Surely, among the
49, H. I'LL
be some who will gladly turn to drop
a few flowers of affectionate apprecia-
ton on his grave. In fact, 1 car but
believe that in the experiences of most
of us, there is enShrined alongside the
mothers picture that of some faithful
teacher who, in tenderness and wis.
dom too often unappreciated, and in
unfailing patience too often tried,
guided our uncertain footsteps along
the hidden paths of truth.
Among such characters, Thomas
Arnold. of Rugby, would occupy the
most prominent place. He was not
only a great teacher. but a broad
minded man, thoroughly alive to the
supreme questions of his age, both of
stood bravely on the far-f1ung battle
line and warred to the knife with
falsehood of whatever kind. A man
deeply religious, but not a fanatic; a
worshipper of knowledge, but not pc
dantic and cold: a lover of healthy,
natural life. but not a pagan"
After rehearsing briefly the events
of his life and his fine mental equip
ment for the work owing to environ
ment and heredity, Professor Bivins
spoke of DR.. Arnold's characteristics.
lone of the chief traits of Arnold
was the deep seriousness of his nature
and his deep interest in religious ques-
tionS n his sincere sense of duty and
responsibility. His was an anxiously
inquisitive mind, a scrupulOusly con-
scientious heart. This led him about
the time of taking orders as a minis
ter into a painful state of doubt. He
could not give honest assent to some
established beliefs of his church and
was for some time almost ~despairing
concerning himself. However, little by
little. after the severest trials,
He faced the spectre of his mind
And laid them
His desire tc see clearly into the
truth of things and to Danish prejudice
sometimes alarmed his timid and or
thOdox trends, but nevertheless led
some to admit that it is better to have
Arnold's doubts than some mems GER
tainties. His early struggles led him
in all after life to understand the
struggles of serious young men and
to know how to give them the needed
sympathy n help.
Before his election to Rugby he
wrote: If I do get it, 1 feel as if l
could set 20 work very heartily and
with Gods blessing I should like to
try whether my notions of Christian
education are really impracticable;
whether our system of public schools
has not in it some noble elements
which. under the blessing of the spirit
of all holiness and true wisdom, might
produce fruit even of life eternal
"In England, the term public or
grammar school is generally under
stood to apply to those institutions
usually some centuries old, which were
founded expressly for instruction in h
Latin and Greek languages, and We're
designed to prepare students for the
universities. When Arnold took hold
Of Rugby it was regarded as the low
est and most Boltian Of English
schools. There was no established
standard of scholarship and almost no
discipline during the administration Of
his predecessor. Wood. The task before
Arnold was a gigantic and formidable