The Democrat-sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1906-1935, 1909-09-02
THURSDAY MORNING.

Prayer and scripture readin,
conducted by Prof. Richardson
Music was conducted by Mrs
Yerges, who looks more natura
since she has recovered her batol
or "stick" as she calls it.
"Method of Teaching Geogra
ply" was the subject of Prof
Richardson. Geography is one Of
the most difficult branches tt
teach if not taught properly. The
field from which geography il
drawn is 80 voluminous that tc
condense it into small volume be.
comes very difficult. Prof. Rich
ardson would supplement the tex,
with the study of the natural
phenomena to be found in the
fields around the school house
One criticism Mr.. Richardson
makes is, that the most difficult
part is placed in the front of the
book. 1t is of no Importance to
commit a definition to memory,
when We learn what thing is
then the definition comes natural.
| ly. Mr.. Richardson's method of
map drawing is intensely practi.
cal. This is usually most diff
cult subject as we'll as most i'm
portant one. He gave his own
! experience. He recommended that
the teacher should send to the
store and get little of articles of
ommerce-tea, coffee, rice, etc.,
examine the same carefully and
learn where it came from and how
it was transported. He would
take these articles and all others,
such as corn, wheat, rye, ETC., and
allow the children to learn where
they grow, then paste them on
maps drawn by the teacher and the
pupils. This lecture was one of
the best ever delivered here on this
difficult subject.
Prof. Biery followed with a talk
on ILLUSTRATED Arithmetic" un.
der his deft hand this subject re-
solves itself into simplicity. The
most difficult problems become
comparatively easy when properly
illustrated. Arithmetic is no fit
subject for popular lecture, but
with Mr.. Biery's method of illus
trating it is exceptionally interest.
ing.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Music conducted by Mrs. Yerges.
Mr.. Richardson took as his subject
"The Educational Value of Liter
ature." He deplored the fact that
some still doubt the educational
value of Literature. Literature
gives tone to our culture and
finishes the education. Religious
sentiment is stong in poetry. The
poet, the dreamer, dreams, then the
practical man puts into actual
practice what may seem but fam
tastical dream. Forty years ago,
Darius Greene and his Flying Ma.
chine was a huge joke, the idle
fancy of a highly imaginative
dreamer. Poetry is one of the
great uplifting forces of life. The
person who has no fancy in his
heart, no poetry in his soul, is but
stolid animal. True poetry is
but the voicing Of the longing of
the soul. "You may grind them
both in the self-same mill, you
may bind them heart aud brow;
James will follow the rainbow and
John will follow the plow."
Prof. Biery continued his subject
of the forenoon, ILLUSTRATED
Arithmetic" He illustrated how
many difficult processes may be
made comparatively easy. Prof.
Biery believes that many processes
in the Arithmetics should be
thrown out as useless and their
places taken by subjects of more
practical importance. Mr.. Biery's
methods will repay the most care
full consideration.
ADJOURNED.
Evening Lecture-RObert Burns.
30 wad some power the gift to gieus,
To see ourself as ithers see us,
IL would from many a blunder free us, and
foolish notion.n
Mr.. Richardson's lecture on
Burns is one of his finest.
He is an ardent admirer of the
"Plowman Bard" Burns short
comings were those of the age in
which he lived, and compared
with the standards of his age, his
life was exemplary. He has i'm
mortalized his "Highland Mary"
That which would have been a
mud splash ON the holden gray
of the Ayrshire plowman, became a
crimson blot on the singing robes
of the poet. The story of his life
is sad enough for tears. He died
at the age of 81, too soon and vet
too late. Whence came these
beautiful songs and fancies re-
mains in mystery. They came