The Republican journal., 1914-10-01
North Waldo Pomona Grange,

North Waldo Pomona Grange met with Se-
basticook grange, Burnham. Wednesday, Sept.
23d The meeting was opened in due form
with Worthy Master C. C. Clements in the
chair. The other officers present were: Lee
turer. Secretary, Steward. Pomona and Gate
Keeper. Wilbur Reynolds, Master of Sebasti-
cook grange. acted Is Overseer and the other
stations we're acceptably filled by members of
the local grange. Six oranges were repre-
sented and reported in good condition. Harv-
est Home grange was also reported rs doing
good work. As there was no special business
to be transacted, the members proceeded to
ballot for the candidates. five IN number, and
being duly elected they were introduced and
received the full instructions of the degree of
Pomona.
The dinner hour having arrived a recess
was taken and all repaired to the dining
to partake of most excellent dinner prepared
by ladies of the host grange. Full justice was
done to the tempting viands. especially by
those who enjoyed twelve-mile ride before
reaching the station in Brooks. After a social
hour the Grange was re-assembled in the fifth
degree and the choir rendered song, with
Verdilla Pease at the piano. In the absence
of E. E. Davis, cordial words of greeting were
spoken by Wilbur Reynolds. and Worthy
Master Clements responded in his usual happy
manner.
Mr. Nickerson, superintendent of schools in
the district comprising Winterport, Frankfort
and Monroe, was then called upon and deliver
ed an excellent address. His subject was:
"Some of the Problems In School Work" He
first spoke of the schoolhouse and its surround
ings and said in part: "The schoolhouse which
is the home of the child for Sc or 40 weeks of
the year, should be SO arranged that the child
may be comfortable and his health protected
1t is no argument to say that what was goot
enough for US is good enough for our boy and
girl for the conditions under which we attend
ed school were not good enough for US, but
were the best we could get. But now. after
years of observation and study. we know some-
thing better is necessary for the welfare of
the youth, and we should look to it that the
child gets his due in light, sanitary building,
with up-to-date furnishings, and it is fact
that the pupil will take pride in good desks
and furniture and help keep it in good condi-
ton. There should be spacious grounds sur
rounding every schoolhouse, SO arranged that
both boys and girls may have a suitable play
ground. The out-buildings should be kept in
good repair and neat condition" The second
point touched upon was the teacher, and Mr..
Nickerson said: 81 speak from the standpoint
of teacher of "a years experience and sup
erintendent of six years; and the young girl of
16 or 1S cannot successfully teach others until
she herself learns. We need trained teachers.
OF course some are better fitted at IL than
others at older age, but this is an ex-
ception. Usually it is training and experience
that are needed to accomplish the best
results in the schoolroom. The teacher who
has normal school training to begin with wi |
generally put it into practice, while the one
who teaches few terms and then goes to a
training school will upon resuming teaching
often fall back to her old methods. If young
teachers are employed the superintendent Is
obliged to exercise more care over both teach
er and school, and by his advice and assist
ance, supplement her lack of training. A
teacher should be cultured as we'll as educated.
| would prefer the teacher who excelled IN cul-
ture rather than in education, If both were
not possible. We do not always recall all OF
the book knowledge taught US, but who OF US
but can recall the teaching of those who told
US how to live to become noble and cultured
men and women" In regard to the pupil he
said: 1.-THE first requirement is regular attend
ance, No child should be kept out of school
for trivial reasons Only sickness and death
should deprive child of his right to attend
school. Few books should be used in the
lower grades and the pupil should not be
forced beyond a certain limit. The mind of
a child of eight or ten. be he ever SO forward,
is not capable of comprehendlng and retain
ing knowledge which rightly belongs to an older
DEVELOPMENT and child may be overworked
mentally as we'll as physically. The child of
educated parents has an advantage over those
of the other class, inasmuch as he has the ex-
ample of correct speech and may receive
much assistance in his school work. My care
is all for the child; the welfare of the parents
does not concern me. believe every child in
herits the right to have the best there is along
all educational lines, SO must look at what is
best for him, not his parents"
These brief extracts are only few of the
many helpful and instructive remarks made
by Mr.. Nickerson, and his audience showed its
appreciation by hearty applause and ringing
vote of thanks.
A solo by Verdilla Pease was followed by a
recitation by Nellie Morse. The question:
"Resolved, That the best interest of the
country demands that children are kept in the
rural schools until they are older than is now
the case" was read by the Lecturer and the
discussion was opened by Ermine Davis in the
affirmative F. M. Nickerson upheld the neg
ative and the following members participated
in the discussion: Wilbur Reynolds. Worthy
Master Clements, Annie Clements, Nellie
Morse, D. M Kimball Clara York. Mrs. Shaw
and May Bussey A vote was taken and a
large majority was in favor of the affirmative.
Remarks by Mrs Watson of Pisca.aquis Po-
mona and E. E. Davis of Sebasticook grange,
followed and after a soLg by the choir the
Grange was closed with the usual ceremonies,
The next meeting will be with Granite
Grange, North Searsport, Oct. 10th, with an
address of welcome by Susie Carter ana a
response by A. D. Moody. State Master Stet-
son is expected to be present, and paper
topic music and recita tions are other features