The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1902-12-10
TEACHERS, INsTIT11rE

The annual Teachers Institute was held
in the Opera House at Pennington on
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday OF last
week. Edward Howard Griggs, of Mont
clair, n. j., first spoke on Education for
the Art of Life" Life Is the universal art
that gathers in all others. and the most
important thing in the education of the
child is training for life.
+, Mr.. Griggs was followed by Earl Barnes.
of Philadelphia, who talked on "Children's
Attitude Toward Punishment" Revenge
is the basis of all law with primitive peo-
pie, The lowgrade mind always tries to
get even, and the child represents low
grade or undeveloped mind Mr.. Barnes
had previously tested the children in the
schools of Hunterdon county by securing
written answers to a question as to what
they would do with child for a given
offense. The answers showed that at
years of age &C per cent of the children
would have whipped the offender and at
IA only l6 per cent. would have resorted
to whipping; also that the rate per cent, of
those who would have sought to reform
the child advanced steadily with years.
rising from eight at years old to thirty
four at H. Charts were exhibited showing
that in the great cities of this country and
Europe the same thing holds true. The
deduction is that as we grow In enlighten-
ment the idea of revenge gradually dies
out and the Idea of reformation takes Its
place
Monday afternoon Mr.. Griggs talked on
Literature and Liberal Culture" We
Americans always ask Does It pay7 But
some of the most important things of life
have no price, no commercial value. Lib
as result of any line OF study properly
pursued. The fine arts best interpret
human nature, and literature stands first
among them. Literature enables us to APP
preciate beautiful scenery. American
scenery Is not so highly appreciated as
that of the old world. because its praises
have not been sung for ages.
Miss Maud Summers. of Chicago, spoke
on "The Educational Value of Play"
holding that work and play are two as
poets OF the same thing and equally Inn
portant.
In the evening Mr.. Barnes gave an hble
and entertaining lecture I'm tho Presby-
terrain Church on "a Successful Failure"
Tuesday morning Mr.. Griggs spoke on
THE Use of Mythology in Education"
Myths have their uses. Nursery tales are
develop the Imagination. 1t Is true that
myths record what never happened There
is notion that only things which have
happened are true. There can be no great
er mistake. The artist obeys the law OF
artistic truth not of historic accident.
Superintendent Hoffman spoke of the
State Teachers Association. urging the
teachers of Hunterdon to become mem
Dpra and helm the work ninnn
Miss Summers gave talk on English"
urging the necessity of greater care in
primary work.
Tuesday afternoon Mr. Barnes talked on
"Childrens Ambitions" There never was
time when men and women were turn
ing so much toward work of some kind,
and 1t is interesting to find out toward
what kind of work the children are look
ing The children of Hunterdon county
have answered the question, what do you
want to be when you grow up?" At
years of age none OF the boys have ambi-
ton to be teacher: at II only one out of
hundred. The girls who want to be
teachers are from 20 to rs per cent. In all
the ages given. At years old q per cent.
of tho boys want to the farmers; at II,
only per cent. while OF the girls at IA
only per cent. are looking forward to
domestic life.
After recess Miss Summers talked on
Expression" In order to cultivate ex-
preston we must secure correct images
In the mind of tho child Teach children
to observe carefully and to express what
they see.
AT 4.3o Tuesday afternoon an organ re-
cital was given for the benefit OF the
teachers by Mr.. Lands. organlst of the
Presbyterian Church 1t goes without
saying that the music was excellent, and
the audience was certainly delighted.
In the evening. before the lecture Mr..
Lands and tho choir of the Presbyterian
Church rendered Gounod's "Gallia" In q
way that delighted all lovers OF music.
Mr.. Griggs delivered n lecture on "A Walk
in Florence" to the delight of q large
audience
Wednesday morning Mr. Griggs spoke
on "Self-culture Through the Vacation"
The ancients did not respect work but
reyerenced man because he need not
work. We are an Industrial people, and
our culture must come through our voca-
tons or never come at all. Fortunately,
there is no vocation that cannot be made
a fine art. and that cannot be made the
means of self-culture.
Superintendent Hoffman read the report
OF the Retirement Fund and urged the
teachers to join the association. He was
followed by Mr.. Grlggs. who occupied the
closing period In an earnest talk on 1.-The
Use OF the Margin" meaning the time we
have to ourselves after our daily routine
OF work is done. Upon the use OF that
margin depends the real life
AT few minutes before IL Superlntend-
ent Hoffman declared the Institute adj
Journed.
TILE CHRISTMAa DINNER