Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-26
TRAINING OF TEACHERS
Work Explained by DR.. ]. E.
Gilbert.
PUBLIC EXERC Uses
COURSE OF INSTRUCTION FOR
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Scheme Under the Direction Of the So
ciety Of Religious Edu-
cation.
PUBLIC EXERCISE

Methodist Episcopal Church last evening.
The pastor. Rev. DR.. Doney, conducted the
devotional exercises, and DR.. J. E. Gilbert.
secretary of the society, delivered the ad-
dress, from which the following extracts
are taken:
In 1883. DR.. Gilbert said while principal
of a grammar school in Buffalo l was In
duced by friends to prepare text books ana
to form classes for the training of Sunday
school teachers. The movement gradually
extended to other cities and states, and
continued with varying fortunes during the
twenty lone years following. The American
Society of Religious Education. formed In
1850, adopted this system Of training, which
in the meantime had been greatly improved.
making it the first, or chief department in
it's work. We have. therefore, come to the
close of the sixteenth year of the depart
ment. of the thirty seventh year of this
great undertaking. This is the earliest as
it is the most continuous, and we believe,
the most efficient system, put forth In this
country for the thorough preparation of
teachers of sacred Scripture.
The question will naturally arise at the
outset. What has been accomplished during
even to estimate the number of students
prior to 1889 At no time in all those years
was the thought entertained that anything
had been devised of such value as to de-
mand a permanent record. The text books
were simply mailed to all who applied for
them. and the classes made no return as to
their numbers success.
Registration Begin.
But on the organization of the society in
1880 registration was begun, and we have
now entered 1O.36S names. These have
been from nearly all the states of the
Union, from the various parts Of the Do
minion of Canada and from the islands Of
the sea. The expressions Of students. too
numerous to be repeated. are proof that
our work has not been in vain.
Eleven years ago when our society moved
It's headquarters to this city Gen. Eaton,
then our president, suggested that the work
of the department be called the Sunday
Teachers Normal College, and that all who
complete the course should receive diplo-
ma. This suggestion was adopted. and since
then our students have had greater incen-
tive and have been more thorough.
1.-TWO plans are adopted in the college
that OF the individual student working
alone without teacher and that Of class
under suitable leadership meeting once each
week. The latter Is the better plan,
most persons need the inspiration and
guidance Of others, and yet 1t has been
found difficult to secure competent leaders
of the classes. We are now arranging to
establish branches of the college in the va
rious cities, each under the care of local
directory, thus creating chain Of instttu-
TONS all one general basis
Dr. Gilbert said the college department Is
under the general supervision of a council
of seven eminent educators, three of whom
are presidents of state normal schools and
four professors in colleges, all men of piety
and learning. 1t Is their business to study
carefully the curriculum, the text books.
the modes of administration, to point out
any defects that may be discovered and to
suggest improvements from time to time
In this way the system is constantly SUBJ
jected to those scholarly inspections that
are calculated to advance it to the highest
excellence.
I'VE hold everything tentatively" said
DR.. Gilbert, ready to change when anything
better is found, and all the time seeking to
find that which Is better thankfully re-
ceiving it from any source. The teacher
training work. he said, rests, and has rested
from the beginning, on certain principles.
which will be approved by all.
Il. We hold that teacher must be a stu
dent: that he who does not study cannot
teach; that he who studies badly will teach
badly; that all successful teaching depends
on right study. Hence, In our course we
attempt to make students as the very first
essential to the proper filling OF the teach
er's Office.
Natural Method
so. We hold that there Is a natural way
by which the Bible opens up it's truths to
the mind which way may be learned and
practiced until one shall be skilled In its
Is learned the acquisition of the truth IS
easy. rapid and profitable. Hence, we train
in the processes of Bible study.
SO. We hold that the end of all Scripture
study should be the promotion of the spir-
itual life, that no mere intellectual result
gained by a purely intellectual process Is,
strictly speaking. Bible study. Hence we
train in the experiences and facts of the re-
lfgfous nature and show how that nature
Is affected by the truth, and how the truth
Gff
This Is really our strongest point, distin-
gushing our work from all other work
Il. AS Bible study for spiritual profit Is
the end to be sought in the teacher So we
hold. 1t Is the end to be sought in the pupil
In other words. we hold that 1T is the busi-
ness Of the teacher. not to tell what he
knows about lesson. but to secure study
on the part of his pupils. that alone
builds up the pupils. The Bible teacher Is
only Bible student set to make Bible stu
dents Hence, train GU candidates In
the arts Of stimulating and guiding others
in study.
80. We hold that Bible teaching is an
art. delicate and difficult art, that may
be learned and practiced until one shall be-
come skillful In 1t. 1t Is not a haphazard
performance of careless questioning and
more careless comment, designed to fill the
time. 1t Is not a miniature preachment 1t
Is rather method OF waking up and d.
recting the mind to Investigation. Hence,
we train In the arts and processes Of teach
fng-the oral, the conversational, the cate
chetical, the recitation and the lecture
methods, so that the teacher may know
how to use them as occasion requires.
20. We hold that the spiritual life Is built
up by means of the truth, that the truth
must be acquired by slow and graduated
exercises. that these exercises must be adj
justed to the spiritual nature and In full
harmony with the laws of grace. and hence
that the teacher should establish habit OF
daily lifelong seeking for truth, and that
he should endeavor to establish the same
habit in the pupils Of his class that the
mission of the Sunday school is nothing
less than to make truth-seekers, who In the
love of the truth shall all their days seek
after it and walk in it."
Presents High Ideal.
These principles" said DR.. Gilbert will
be recognized by all as presenting q high
ideal. quite in contrast with the lower aims
now cherished by many who are dignified
by the title of teacher. Shall these ideals
be held? Shall we strive to realize ideals
Or shall we continue as. alas. too many have
done In the years gone by. unsklled In
handling the word OF truth? A few con-
siderations will show the value OF what is