The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-07-21

y .
fort and fors2alI the strength that we
can muater?,SHns Virginia any inter-
ests to-day comparable to the training
OF her great army OF children? Indeed,
we have 70 responsibility to bear which
should call for the best that within
US lies. On the teacher of to-day In a
large measure depends the cttzenShiD
Of Tomorrow. Such Is the trust given
into our hands that the men and wo-
men OF coming years can In a large
measure hold us responsible for their
success or failure In life. Thus, first
Of all. 1t Is a duty that we owe to
the children of Virginia to utilize
every means in our power to give them
instruction OF the proper kind and
such as will fit them to fight that
greatest OF all battles--the battle OF
life. Do we not as teachers owe It to
ourselves to seek and adopt every
means that will better tit US for the
work that we are under divine obli-#
cation TO perform TO the best OF our
ability. If we prove false to our trust
future generations will Justly rise UP
to curse us for our stupidity and
neglect.
1t Is now time to ask what are some
of the advantages or uniting ourselves
into associations2 First OF all we may
cite the axiorn--r1ow universally &C
cepteu-that from union comes
strength. We have seen how 1t Is
beneficial for the physician and the
lawyer to unite themselves into guilds
and brotherhoods for their mutual
lgbeneat, and from this hypothesis We
can readily produce proof OF Its value
Ito the teacher. It cannot for mo-
ment be doubted that we need all
! the strength that comes OF union to
| prevent our becoming discouraged on
account OF the very bighness OF the
task with which we are laborlng. 1sos5
| lation and singleness OF action have
ever been the dwelling places Of weak
mess and failure. In any great move move,
| ment there must be the machinery OF
| organization or else the work Is not
4 properly done.
/ The workers in one field must. know
! what's being done by his co-workerst
lin another held What would be the
consequences IL the ministers OF the.
/ gospel would leave off. their numerous
conferences, and each pursue an inde-
! pendent course of action? How, long do
! you suppose It would be before the,
4 church would begin to lose her power
Land Influence? How many missionaries
1 would be sent to carry the gospel to
4 the nations who know 1t not? Would
there be any more church extension or
/! increase OF members? To the questions
4 Il positively assert a negative answer.
4 and predict loss for, heFchurch IN
4 thousands of ways-no greater JOSS.
However. than the cause Of education
.lahas sustained, and Is sustaining, due
4 to lack OF proper organization on
4 tie part OF the teaching forces OF our
i country SO, fellow teachers, let us
4. stir' ourselves and wake up TO a
4 realization OF the great need OF our
! time.
4 The great succe IS which has attend :
4 ed the Teachers Associations since
4 their first organization In this state
4 is proof positive of their usefulness IN
4 aiding teachers to better prepare them
4 selves to face the many problems that
= come up for solution. The teacher SIS
Z constantly meeting with puzzling
. able to cope, And there are few teacF1-
Il ers who can, of their own resources.
a be ever prepared to settle the many
4 questions that arise. However, II she
n can meet with others who are In the
same employment she can discuss
a ways and means with them ard thus
a acquire wealth of new ideas which
will be OF measurable benefit to her
= Hin the daily routine Of duties
a The local association In a measure
!. supplies the need felt by all teachers
for a working >library. Where books
are not to be had tea chers can consult
4 each other, and the ideas gained will
. loften be more beneficial than those
. obtained from books. Consequently
the local association is Of especial
u beneht to the teachers In rural dis
|1tricts.
For Free Discussion.
| Any teacher must. indeed, be stupid
'sI3who is not enlightened and broadened
L. IL al eli IN a
t a sympathetic comparison OF eSpe-
riences, methods. plans and devices
J What mind is not brondened and made
3 lmore aggressive by coming into con-
.5stact BY means of discussion VIII
) tother minds which are thinking alons
l the same channel. The new ideas
! gained, the new methods discussed
! must Of necessity be lasting pen le.'
] 3fit rs any wideawake teacher who Is
4 Oil to learn. And can there be any
s teucller In Virginia who conslder;
!, 4his sum Of Knowledge complete, ant
S lis unwilling to Slenrn from othrs. Any
J, teacher, However progressive. u
!. liable TO fall into aHcertain groove
) or rut-that is. thy will acquire thf
( habit 5of doing Things IN $cefthlr
1 way which may seem to them thf
1 best possible so long as there IS nf
other in sight, but when hrough
/, into thc light OF comparison with
Z ether methods 1t will seem common,
5 Mace, and antiauated indeed The only
\ Way to escape these ruts Is to keer
ourselves posted; and what better
: means has the local teacher OF keep,
! lIne posted than through the medium
t Of local teachers association. II
a lsuch capaci " eaph ana every ."lae'
awake teacher is given an emporium
d ity' to- CLEAN all that is, best and mos nc
81 helpful for their individual needs.
1 So we are led to conclude that a.
: are benefited and inspired by periodi'
!, / nee tings& for, mutual inlprovernen NJ
t Tie enthusiasm generated In sath,
Il ering Of this kind Will not, pc lost
s every teacher will &c. back to his O
a her work with "a greater zeal tSa re
4 newed determination and a fixed pur
a pose to do ana to dare for the cau w
y. of educa alton, .ss. 4 IN