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that a uniformity may be produced in the schools
of this part of the county.
J. C. THORNE, Ch'n.

L. D. BAKER, Sec'y.

OSWEGO.

From the Fulton Sun.
COMMON SCHOOL CONVENTION.

First Annual Meeting of the Common School As-
sociation of the Western Jury District of Os-
wego county.

Pursuant to notice, the above association convened at the Mechanics' Hall, in the village of Oswego, on the 11th inst.

The meeting was called to order by the President, J. B. Park, Esq., who offered some very appropriate remarks on the subject of common schools, and the importance of education.

On motion, it was

Resolved, That the session be principally devoted to practical illustrations of the different branches of science taught in our primary schools. Mr. A. Leonard having been called upon,gave an eloquent and interesting address on the subject of mental arithmetic.

While the committee were preparing their report, O. W. Randall, county superintendent, introduced Mitchell's Series of Outline Maps, with some interesting and practical remarks on their utility and peculiar adaptation to the study of ge.. ography in schools, illustrating his remarks from the maps.

The business committee reported the following order:

Mental arithmetic, A. Leonard ; orthography, G. R. Jackson; grammar, J. Mattison; geography, E. A. Fish; reading, M. G. Leonard; practical arithmetic, E. B. Doolittle; music, G. G. Alvord; composition, J. A. Place.

else to elevate the character of schools, and advance the cause of education; that it is a work which should be found in the hands of every trustee, parent, guardian, and teacher.

Resolved, That our state and county superintendents deserve our warmest approbation, and most lively gratitude, for their untiring exertions in behalf of common school education.

Resolved, That the President of this association, J. B. Park, Esq., by his indefatigable and successful labor, and personal sacrifices, in elevating the standard of primary school education, is entitled to the heartfelt gratitude of every phi lanthropist. J. B. PARK, Pres't.

G. R. JACKSON, Sec'y.

SARATOGA.

TRACHER'S INSTITUTE.

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A resolution was unanimously adopted that it is advisable to establish a temporary normal school" for the benefit of those persons about to engage in teaching the coming winter. Whereupon Rev. J. Westcott, and Rev. C. O. Kimball, of Stillwater, and A. J. Chadsey, M. D., of Ballston Spa, were appointed a committee to make such inquiries and arrangements as they might deem necessary to carry out the resolu tion, and report at a meeting to be held October 15th. at the same place.

On invitation, Mr. M. G. Leonard introduced a class from his school, and gave some interest- At this meeting the committee reported their ing exhibitions of concert reading, mental arith-proceedings, strongly recommending the imme. metic, and vocal music. diate organization of an institute. The convention adopted the report, and referred the business of

On motion, it was

Resolved, That a committee of five be ap-making arrangements as to time, place, and the pointed to draft resolutions expressive of the securing of suitable teachers, to the county susense of the meeting. The following persons perintendent, who succeeded in securing the serwere appointed such committee, viz: E. A. Fish, vices of Zalmon Richards, A. M., Principal of J. A. Place, G. G. Alvord, A. Leonard, and Os-Stillwater Academy, as the Principal of the Insian Clark.

An election of officers for the ensuing year was held, with the following result:

stitute, and Messrs. Olmsted and Gillum as associate teachers.

On Wednesday, Nov. 6, according to previous President, A. Leonard; Vice Presidents, E. notice, a very respectable number of ladies and B. Doolittle, Oswego; G. G. Alvord, Scriba; gentlemen assembled at the court-house, B. F. Colby, Granby; Dr. G. Bacon, Volney; and after some necessary arrangements, A. Tanner, New Haven; H. H. Bronson, Han- preparatory to opening the session, adjourned till nibal; Cyrus Graves, Palermo; George Snyder, evening to hear a lecture from Dr. Potter, of Schreppel; Recording Secretary, Ossian Clark; Schenectady; but as Dr. Potter could not be preCorresponding Secretary, O. W. Randall; Trea-sent, Mr. Richards, the Principal of the institute, surer, G. R. Jackson. addressed the teachers and the inhabitants on

The convention was very ably addressed at dif-|“ the necessary moral qualifications of teachferent times, by several gentlemen.

Resolved, That the patrons and officers of cominon schools cannot be too scrupulously exact in securing teachers of elevated literary qualifications and irreproachable character.

Resolved, That in the opinion of the members! of this association, the District School Journal, by its circulation of information in relation to everything pertaining to schools and the common school system, is better calculated than any thing

ers." Though the number of teachers at first was small, yet it constantly increased until there were nearly forty gentlemen and eighteen ladies on the list, who attended the whole or part of the term of sixteen days.

The course of instruction was, so far as pos sible, so arranged as to make the plan of conducting the exercises a model for the practical beaefit of the teachers. All the teachers were in session at the same time, and engaged per

Resolved, That the disorganizing and revolutionary proceedings of the primary assemblies in one or two counties of this state, in opposition to our admirable common school system, have our decided disapprobation; that we are satisfied with the existing school law for the most part, and that we will lend our influence and co-operation to have its excellent provisions carried into execution.

sonally in every exercise. All were required to become as familiar as time would allow, with giving all the elementary sounds of the English language, with correct articulation, and with the most approved rules for the inflections and modulation of the voice in reading. The above points were insisted upon as indispensably necessary in the qualification of every teacher.While going through the studies of common schools, not only were the principles of the seve- Resolved, That the elevation of the standard ral branches illustrated, but the most approved of common school instruction is a consummation methods of teaching these principles were prac-in which both teacher and citizen are highly intically explained, and every teacher required to terested. exhibit his knowledge of the principles and practice by actual demonstration. Familiar lectures were given daily upon moral subjects, and the importance of constant vigilance on the part of the teacher over the moral character of his scholars, and of making the Bible the standard of morals.

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Resolved, That we lament the present prevailing practice on the part of parents and guardians of children, in tolerating frequent changes of teachers in our district schools, therefore we will endeavor to raise the standard of teachers' qualifications in order that this evil may be remedied, and will adopt, as far as practicable, that mode of instruction which, by experience, has been found best adapted to promote the object to be accomplished by us as teachers, and has been so often recommended by those who have addressed us.

Resolved, That the reading of the Scriptures in school is calculated to exert the most happy influence, and to aid in the cultivation of good order and correct morals.

Resolved, That we deem the introduction of vocal music into our common schools as an exercise at once calculated to blend pleasure with utility, also to exert a favorable influence on the moral atmosphere of the school-room.

Resolved, That we consider the "District School Journal" one of the most efficient means that the teacher can obtain to assist in the accomplishment of the above object-therefore we will do all we can to extend its present circulation.

Mr. F. Dwight, of Albany county, did the teachers a good service by his familiar and really practical lectures, and also Mr. Mather, the author of Mitchell's Series of Outline Maps, which met with special favor. What is pecu. liarly encouraging to the friends of the institute is, that there seemed to be an increasing interest in its favor, both among the teachers and visiting friends. In fact, it may be safely said, that a new impulse has been given to the cause of common school education in Saratoga county, and that a spirit has been awakened which will Resolved, That we tender our most cordial spread, it is to be hoped, until the schools of this acknowledgments and thanks to Francis Dwight, county shall deservedly rank with the best in the Esq. of Albany, for the much valuable instruc state. It may also be confidently expected that tion given by him on the best methods of instructhe influence and success of the members of the tion, government, and other appropriate subjects institute will be such as to make all the town-also to Prof. Sweet for his lecture on Elocusuperintendents of this county feel a proper degree of interest in the efforts to improve and ele. vate the standard of teaching, raise teachers wa. ges, and make the profession of teaching what it ought to be-respected, honorable, and perma

nent.

The following resolutions were adopted by the teachers, after which they formed themselves into an association, to hold its first meeting on the first Saturday in February, 1945. The parting hand was given with kind wishes for each other's prosperity, each regretting most of all the necessity of closing the present agreeable ses. sion, though fondly anticipating the enjoyment of another similar, yet larger meeting in the course of the coming year.

The following resolutions were offered and adopted:

Resolved, That we deem the use of tobacco by the teachers (to say nothing of its deleterious effects on the human system,) incompatible with the proper and consistent performance of his duties, as the guide and exemplar to the youth placed under his care; and that we therefore respectfully and earnestly request all teachers every where to discountenance its use?

tion.

Resolved, That in view of the many benefits derived from a teachers' institute, we recommend its re-opening next fall.

In behalf of the association.
ZALMON RICHARDS,
Com. of Publication.

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Pursuant to the call of Charles Sentell, Esq., County Superintendent, the town officers, teachers and friends of education met at the courthouse, in the village of Waterloo, on the 15th of October last. The house was called to order by the county superintendent, and on motion, Wm. Hogan was appointed secretary.

The first business in order was the report of the committee, appointed at the last convention, on studies appropriate to common schools, and the minimum standard qualifications of teachers. The chairman of said committee, Mr. Brundige, presented substantially, the following report:

That into district schools, organized as they

at present are, it is inexpedicat to introduce, ent of Tyre, with his zealous band of teachers, generally more than what are called the com. were present at the hour appointed and were soon mon branches, viz: Spelling, Reading, Geogra- succeeded by teachers of Fayette and Waterloo. phy, Arithmetic, Grammar and Writing. These Mr. McLean, the efficient superintendent of Jubranches in schools of the average number, arenius, with his teachers, followed, and were the onall that can be thoroughly taught by one indivi-ly town superintendents present-where were the dual. If more studies be introduced, it is at the risk, of having instruction in them all but imperfectly imparted.

Besides, it should be constantly kept in view, that district schools are but Primary Schools. There must be three orders of schools,-district or primary schools, academies and colleges. One of these cannot properly perform the duties of the other; hence for efficient action, each must be confined to its proper sphere.

eight?

It was highly gratifying to see so many trustees and friends of education from the country. It is truly an earnest that the surrounding country is moving in school matters.

A free communication was kept up between⚫ the county superintendent and the teachers, which was both interesting and profitable. Frequent conferences were held at which the most prominent difficulties incident to the business of Sometimes, however, another study, as Alge-teaching, were thoroughly discussed by the bra, Geometry or the like, may be, without injury, introduced into district schools, in addition to the studies above recommended; but seldom can The teachers became acquainted with each more than one extra study safely be permitted. other, and received a mutual consolation and enAs to minimum standard qualification of teach-couragement in this brief but delightful interers of district schools, the committee recommen-change of opinions and sympathy, which will, ded that every teacher should be able,

1st At all times to govern himself. 2d-To properly govern his school. 3d-To teach aptly.

4th-To teach the above recommended branch. es without a book; and

5th-To maintain at all times an irreproachable moral character.

On motion of E. Cooper, the above report was unanimously adopted.

teachers, the county superintendent, and the instructors of the institute.

for a long time, sweeten many an hour of perplexing toil, impart elevated views of the duties and responsibilities of the scholastic profession, and remove many a burden from the heart, frequently depressed by the indifference of citizens and parents. When the hour for final adjournment arrived, all appeared reluctant at separating; but pleased with the hope of meeting again for another and a longer drill, each affirmed a strong determination to be the first in attendance.

YATES.

It being announced that ample arrangements had been made for a county institute, it was unanimously Resolved, to unite in its exercises, [We have received a valuable pamphlet entiunder the direction of a committee of business; whereupon, Messrs. Cooper, Livingston and J. tled "Practical suggestions to the Teachers of T. Turner, were appointed a committee of busi-Yates," from Mr. Lindsley, the efficient county ness and publication, and Messrs. Hogan, Tubbs superintendent, from which we shall hereafter and Woodworth, on finance. The exercises of make interesting extracts. "Our Rules" are the institute commenced in the evening, and were continued through the week regularly, 10 from the same Land.-ED.] hours per day. They consisted of a thorough revision of those studies usually pursued in common schools, with frequent and familiar illustrations of the best methods of teaching them. All the teachers described their peculiar plans of imparting instruction and governing their pupils, thus enabling each to become acquainted with the most approved and successful means of man-collection. aging schools. Lectures were given on the na 3d. Contrast develops the lights and shades tural development of mind, the best means of of fact. Hence we constantly and faithfully comsecuring lasting popularity to the teacher, stu.

OUR RULES.

1st. Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well. Hence we are the masters, not the slaves of our lessons.

24. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Hence we review our lessons each day and preserve them in the freshness of first re

dying and teaching History, Professional Read. pare the subjects of study with each other. 4th. In union there is strength. Hence we ing, Music, Mental Arithmetic, School Govern.unite our efforts to promote the interests of our ment, Reading, &c. &c.

school.

It was Resolved, on Wednesday, to appoint a 5th. In kindness there is power-in courtesy committee to present a constitution for a county there is control. Hence we practice kindness Association; and Messrs. E. Cooper, W. C. Liv.in our intercourse with teachers, superintendents ingston and Wm. Ross, were appointed said and scholars; we exhibit courtesy to fellows, friends and strangers.

committee.

[A Constitution was afterwards adopted, which we are unable to publish in this number. E. Cooper, Esq. the able and devoted friend of the schools was elected its President.]

6th. Take care of the minutes and the hours will take care of themselves. Hence we improve the whole day and not a part of it; we discharge our whole duty and not a part of it. 7th. Irregularity in business is poverty in This session of the institute, notwithstanding competence. Hence we visit the school-room the unfavorable time, was well attended, fifty.daily, and encourage others to imitate our exseven being the number of its members. All parts of the county were represented. Dr. 8th. No man reaps with two sickles at once. Tubbs, the active and energetic town superintend. Hence we do one thing at a time, and at the time.

ample.

9th. The child is father to the man. Hence we will give nobility to the child, that nobility attach to the mån.

No. IV.

EXPERIMENTAL EDUCATION.

FELIX NEFT.

THE last number of this Journal contained some brief details of the labors of Oberlin in the work of education. His extraordinary and very successful services extended through a period exceeding fifty years. Another individual, whose life was shorter, but whose success was not less extraordinary, may afford an example equally animating to those who toil for the same end in places where there is much to be done, and much to discourage the laborer.

Felix Neff was a Protestant clergyman in a dreary region of the south of France, called the High Alps. This tract had been the hiding place for centuries, of Christians who had taken refuge from Catholic persecution, in its dreary mountains and valleys. Neff had received a tolerable education from the pastor of a village near Geneva, (Switzerland,) where he was born. He learnt the business of a nursery gardener, and gained besides considerable knowledge of the mathematics; at a suitable age, he became, in 1823, a teacher of religion. He was ordained in London, but returned to France, because he knew of a people in that country whose wants and whose ignorance made them in the highest degree subjects of improvement. To better their physical condition was one part of his plan, and then, by informing their minds, to enlighten them in their highest interests-those of the soul and of eternity.

Neff incited the people to build a school-house in one of the districts where knowledge was most wanted; and that proper instructors might be spread throughout these regions, so shut out from the ordinary means of education, he persuaded a number of young persons to prepare themselves for teaching. These assembled in that season when they could not labor in their stertle fields, and during that time endeavored to qualify themselves, under their pastor's instructions, that thereafter they might become teachers at the same season of the year among their respective neighbors and friends.

The application of Neff and his pupils was astonishing, and the progress of the latter answered to their diligence. The course, which Neff took indicates the order in which all instruetion, that proves efficient to the intellect for its general cultivation, ought to be given. He employed fourteen or fifteen hours a day in his discipline. Much less time than that may accomplish, in ordinary circumstances, all that is necessary to be done by those under instruction. The need in this case was pressing, and zeal in the cause demanded sacrifices rarely required, but beautiful when they are demanded.

"We devoted much of this time," says the pastor, in an account he has left of his method, to lessons in reading. The wretched manner in which they had been taught, their detestable accent and strange tone of voice, rendered this a most tiresome, but necessary duty." No child, or grown person. that cannot read well-not like an orator, but with ability, to express and convey just notions of what he reads-can study well. He will, in case he is not practised in perfectly intelligent reading, pore over a book, and even repeat the words of it, but till the genuine sense of the printed page is transfused into his mind, his labor upon any science in print will be almost in vain. Hence follows the necessity of procuring from the beginning, and successive¡y, such books as shall both interest and furnish the understanding, quickening in their influence all processes of the mind.

The difficulties Neff had to encounter were greatly augmented by the distribution of his flocks. His parishioners dwelt, some sixty, others thirty, and others twelve miles, from his fixed habitation, at the point most central to the greatest number. The dwellings of these poor Language is before Grammar. Neff, when people were separated by mountains covered his pupils could read readily, taught them Gramwith snow, and valleys choked up by masses of mar. No person properly understands the conrock. To the inhabitants of these detached struction of a sentence till he has a preconceived spots Neff was the best of benefactors-he notion of its logical meaning from the reading visited all-taught in all-and was welcome in of it. Mechanical parsing throws no real light all. He planned the rotation of his visits, and upon a written truth. The science of Grammar, was expected and received with delight every Neff, of course, found it exceedingly difficult to where. To his parishioners he was not only a teach. Speaking of his pupils, he says, conspiritual monitor, but a secular friend and coun- cerning grammar,There is scarcely any way sellor. "Could all their children read? Did of conveying the meaning of it to them. All they understand what they read? Did they the usual terms and definitions, and the means offer up morning and evening prayers? Had the which are employed in schools, are utterly uninparents, or any person whatever, doubts he could telligible here." He did not, perhaps, know remove-afflictions, wherein he might be a com- how little intelligible, how little profitable they forter?" It was by such inquiries, such tender con- are, almost every where. Dictation," he cern in their interests, that he found his way to continues, "was one of the means to which I their hearts. When he had gained their affec- had recourse without it they would have made tions he endeavored to improve their condition. no progress in orthography and grammar, but He pointed out a mode of tillage that increased they wrote so miserably and slowly, that this the quantity of their scant crops; taught them consumed a great deal of time." This was, to practise a better medical treatment of the however, the only way in which he, or they, sick; instructed them to make an abundant dis- could be satisfied whether they could spell, and tribution of water for purposes of cleanliness express themselves properly, Principles are and comfort; and more than all this, urged upon nothing to him who receives them—or rather rethem the duty, and taught them the way to educites them, unless he can at the same time decate their children.

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monstrate them. Letters and grammar rules,

OF THE STATE OF NEW.YORK.

until they can be turned into representations of ideas by him who has learned them in form only, are an undigested heap in the mind, very unlikely to germinate at all. The memory, it is true, may sometimes be stored in advance, but its stores, if not soon turned to intelligent use, are only so much lumber in the brain. Thence follows the necessity of teaching the right thing at the right time, by means of the right instru

ment.

309

education the cheering intelligence pertaining to the subject of popular education in this state. You are aware that very few states in the Union contain so many adults that can neither read nor write, in proportion to the whole population, as this; a blot upon her statistics that she is determined to efface.

She has availed herself of the labors of a gentleman of distinguished ability-Henry Barnard, Esq.of Conn.-to superintend her public schools, "Observing," proceeds Neff, "that they were whose efforts are seconded by a number of genignorant of the signification of a great number tlemen in different parts of the state, especially of words of constant use and recurrence, I made in the southern portion, where I am more intia selection from the vocabulary, which I re-mately acquainted. Here are her Updykes, her quired them to set down in little copy books. Hazards, her Potters, and her Babcocks, devoThe explanations in the dictionary were not ting their time and talent, to awaken public feelenough, and I was obliged to furnish new, and ing to the importance of educating her whole sometimes more ample definitions, which they population. From such efforts, too much can could understand; and to make them transcribe hardly be anticipated as a result. these." We are not. fortunately, without one It seems to be a peculiar feature in the chaor two rational vocabularies of this sort. They ought to be in all schools before the full Dicacter of Rhode Islanders, that when their intetionary is put into the learner's hands. Arith-rest is clearly and convincingly presented, they metic had its place in their studies, and Geogra- cordially embrace it, and liberally contribute the phy was a matter of recreation to Neff's pupils.means to accomplish such object. Especially so, His method of teaching Geography, and the is it, with regard to popular education, when use he made of it, are especially interesting. sectarianism and politics become wholly ab "They pored over the maps," says he, "with sorbed in "the people's cause." a feeling of delight and amusement that was quite new to them. 1 busied myself in giving them some notions of the sphere, and of the form and motion of the earth-of the seasons and the climates, and also of the heavenly bodies I was forced to use the simplest modes of demonstration, which amused and instructed them at the same time. A ball made of box wood, with a hole through it, and moving on an It cannot be denied that the public schools in axle, and on which I had traced the principal this state are very far behind those of her sister circles; some large potatoes hollowed out, a states around her, yet it must be admitted that, candle, and sometimes the skulls of my scholars, like the "oasis" in the desert, she has her green served for the instruments by which I illustrated and flourishing spots. She can point to her pub the movements of the heavenly bodies, and of lic schools in this city, under the general superthe earth itself. Proceeding from one step to vision of N. Bishop, Esq., and present a system another, I pointed out the situation of different of education second to none with which I am countries on the chart of the world, and took acquainted. The proper organization, the expains to give some slight ideas, as we went on,cellent order and thorough instruction of these of the characteristics, religion, customs and his-schools, bear honorable testimony to this assertory of each nation. These details fixed topics tion. of moment in their recollection."

Not only the method but the scope of Neff's instructions is admirable, and, moreover, imitable. His mind was too enlarged to fear that he should be teaching too much. It was his aim to prove that the humblest condition of life may be exalted by whatever exalts the moral and intelligent nature, and that he who possesses any und in the treasury of truth, in defect; of all other treasure, is truly "The rich poor man."

The unremitting labors of Neff shortened his days, and he died at Geneva in 1829. But death did not destroy his work, Men's good deeds are immortal-they perish not with the agent.The oak may fall by the lightning; the acorns that have penetrated the soil around him will rise in a forest of strength and beauty.

RHODE ISLAND.

PROVIDENCE, R. I., 10th Jan., 1845. FRANCIS DWIGHT, Esq.-Dear Sir.-Permit me, through the medium of your "District School Journal," to present to the friends of popular

An evidence of this was clearly manifested at the meetings of the "Washington County Association" for the promotion of public schools, held on the 3d Dec. last, at Westerly, and on the 4th inst. at Wickford, where the discussions and exercises were listened to with deep interest by large and respectable audiences. (A notice of the latter I send you.)

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The school-houses are well constructed, conveniently arranged, in which you will find " place for every thing," and, to the credit of the teachers, every thing in its place." A perfect neatness prevails throughout every department. Here the system of gradation is admirably carried into practice. The six grammar shcools, each have their primary, their intermediate and higher departments. In the latter scholars are sufficiently instructed for common business pursuits. Such scholars as are desirous of pursuing the study of the natural sciences or to take a course of instruction preparatory for college, are advanced from the grammar to the high school, where the same system of gradation is most successfully pursued. The building of the high school, its arrangements, and its occupants, will bear an honorable comparison with any institution of the kind I have visited. I might name some schools in the villages of Pawtucket, Bristol, and in some other villages, giving promise of an elevated character. I close this communication with an invitation for you to come and see what Rhode Island is doing. If you find any thing

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