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and directors. Miss Clarke of the Indiana Normal did good work in the grade sessions of the primary teachers. Besides the instructors named, twenty-four of our most prominent teachers read excellent papers before the several departments into which we had our institute divided this year for the first time. The evening entertainments were of a high character, except the concert given by the Welsh Prize Singers, which organization fell far short of the expectations of the people. The Directors' Association met in Convention during the institute week and had a successful gathering. The meeting extended through two days, with an attendance of almost the half of the directors of the county. Many questions of interest were discussed, but the compulsory attendance law and the Township High School came iu for the largest share of the deliberations. The directors, almost to a man, favored the High School idea, and from the expressions of opinion one can predict that these schools will be established in many of the larger townships in this county in the near future.

CARLISLE--Supt. Shearer: Our teachers signalized the close of the year '97 by organizing an association. Regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday evenings of each month from 7 to 9 o'clock. The session has been divided into three periods, one of 30 minutes and two of 45 minutes each. The first is devoted to the interests of the pupil from the high school to the secondary grade inclusively and consecutively; the second to the discussion of a practical school question; and the third to a recitation and discussion of portions of "Paradise Lost," under the direction of the principal of the high school. The Superintendent is ex-officio chairman of the meetings.

DUNMORE-Supt. Houser: On December 4th, we held a local institute in the high school building, with over 50 teachers present. The meeting was a snccess. The contest over the election of directors last February has just been decided against those holding office. The new members are Messrs. Kellam and McPeek. The Secretary of the Board is Wm. J. Bronson in place of Mr. Glynn.

HUNTINGDON-Supt. Cleaver: There is progress along all lines. What is needed in our schools is for the teacher to "stop and think"-to behold her school as through the eyes of another. Our grade meetings and regular monthly institutes are enjoyed by the teachers, as we strive to make them practical, that is, to fit the needs of our schools, of our individual pupils.

JOHNSTOWN-Supt. Berkey: The total enrollment of our schools is about 225 more than last year. The average attendance has been good thus far and the school spirit is excellent. Our method of grading permits special promotions at any time. Whenever the pupil shows ability to do more and higher work than his grade requires, the promotion is made upon the basis of the

work done, the recommendation of the teacher, and an examination by the superintendent. The new high school building is now under contract, and the foundation walls partly laid. When completed it will be one of the finest high school buildings in the State. The county institute, held in this city, was a pronounced success.

NORRISTOWN-Supt. Gotwals: The usual Christmas exercises were held in all the schools and were highly appreciated by the children and others. The teachers were addressed by Dr. Falkner, of the University of Pennsylvania at their local institutes. His subject was "Economics," which was so ably treated as to draw forth expressions of satisfaction from all who heard it.

NORTH HUNTINGDON TWP., (Westmoreland Co.-Supt. Warwick: A new two-room school house was completed at Ardara and is now occupied. It is furnished with single seats, slate black boards and improved heating and ventilating apparatus. The citizens showed their approval and manifested their interest by purchasing and presenting to the school a 300-pound copper and tin bell. PHOENIXVILLE-Supt. Leister: The public library of the Phoenixville school district has been moved from its narrow confines in the Church street-school house to the more ample and commodious building formerly occupied by the congregation of the German Lutheran church. Upwards of 200 new books have been added recently, and quite a number donated by friends of the library. It is well patronized. During the month all our school buildings, four in number, were connected by telephone by order of the Board. This is a most desirable convenience.

STEELTON-Supt McGinnes: At the beginning of the term the Board of Directors took measures to enforce the provisions of the Compulsory Law, and thus far it has been necessary to make but one arrest. The custom of issuing a report and manual of the schools at the close of every third year was followed again this term. Over 1000 of these pamphlets were distributed among the homes of the borough. This is done at a comparatively small outlay of money, and it proves an effective aid in keeping public sentiment in close touch with the schools. It has also a beneficial influence upon pupils. It places before them an intelligent outline of the work from the beginning of the course to its completion; and a glance on their part at the record of the success of those who have gone up through the schools and passed oui into the spheres of usefulness in active life, acts as a wholesome stimulant.

SUNBURY-Supt. Oberdorf: At the end of our first quarter of the term, we are able to say that never, under my supervision, has the attendance been so good. The average percentage for all the schools to date is 95. In the grammar department the average was 97%; in the high school 99. Work is progressing favorably. The new school building accommodates over 700 pupils.

RELIGION is reproached with not being progressive; It makes amends by being imperishable. The enduring element in our humanity is not in the doctrines which we concisely elaborate, but in the faiths which unconsciously dispose of us, and never slumber but to wake again. What treatise on sin, what philosophy of retribution, is as fresh as the fifty-first Psalm? What scientific theory has lasted like the Lord's Prayer? It is an evidence of movement that in a library no books become sooner obsolete than books of science. It is

TOUCH NOT THE CUP.

no less a mark of stability that poetry and religious literature survive, and even ultimate philosophies seldom die but to rise again. These, and with them the kindred services of devotion, are the expressions of aspirations and faiths which forever cry out for interpreters and guides. And in proportion as you car ry your appeal to those deepest seats of our nature, you not only reach the firmest ground, but touch accordant notes in every human heart, so that, inevitably, the response turns out a harmony.-Dr. Martineau.

T. H. BAYLY. JAMES H. AIKMAN.

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I FEEL sore at heart now. One of the noblest natures that used to sit in these seats, one I loved and who loved me; whose hand was as large in its generosity as a prairie; who had all the prospects of a noble and useful life, who could restrain himself and stop when he'd a mind to. But he has gone down to such a degree in intemperance that his friends have given him up in despair. How many of that kind have I seen; and the time as it passed did not suffice for him, or for them. They say: "To be sure I smoke; but

only seven to ten cigars a day; but it is not a necessity for me-I can give it up." Or, "I know I drink a little; but it is not a necessity for me; I can give it up to-day." But they don't; and they don't next year, or the year after; and when they hear the roar of the tide of perdition, over the verge of which they will plunge finally, they can't. The time when men ought to stop is when they first see the peril; when there is time enough for judgment, enough to bring the higher qualities of the mind to sit in judgment over the lower.-Beecher.

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ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION AT HARRISBURG.

On Wednesday, February 9th, the State

School Directors' Association assembled in the Supreme Court Room at Harrisburg, and was called to order at 2:30 p. m. by the President, Hon. J. P. Elkin, of Indiana, Pa. The attendance at the opening was large, the room being comfortably filled. The exercises were opened with prayer by Rev. E. S. Hassler, of Somerset county. The minutes of last session were read in abstract by Secretary Harry Sloyer, of Chester county; and during the reading the number of delegates increased until all the seats were occupied, and Mr. B. F. Stevens, of Harrisburg, speaking for those who had found only standing room, suggested removal to more commodious quarters. Seats were provided, however, and it was announced that the evening session would be held in the Assembly Hall of the High School.

In addition to the regular delegates, which number included several ladies, a number of superintendents were present and enrolled, and the genial contingent of book men was on hand. There was no roll-call at this session, delegations presenting their credentials to Corresponding Secretary Elder Peelor, of Indiana county, to whose courtesy we are indebted for the complete record of attendance which will be found elsewhere, appended to this report.

After the formal opening of the meeting, President Elkin delivered the following address:

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS.

I deem it a great privilege to have the honor of presiding over the deliberations of the third annual convention of the Pennsylvania State Association of School Directors. It is not my purpose to make the test of your patience a willingness to listen to a long address by your presiding officer. Our time is short, the volume of business to be transacted large, and the number of persons to be heard is not small. The work of this association is just fairly well begun. The foundation has been laid, and it is the hope of every friend of education that the superstructure to be completed in future years will justify the fondest expectations of the pioneers in the cause. Organization is the genius of the times. Nearly everybody and everything have become organized in some sort of a fashion. Breathing such an atmosphere, it was most fitting and proper that the school directors of an imperial Commonwealth should organize for the purpose of promoting the best interests of the public schools and advancing the cause of popular education in the state of Thaddeus Stevens. We may have been slow in taking the field, but we must make up in earnestness what we have lost by tardiness. We hope to verify the scriptural suggestion that the best

of the wine is reserved for the last of the feast. The school directors of Pennsylvania have been last to organize; they will be the first in the amount of good accomplished by their organization.

Before proceeding with the business of the convention, I desire to call your attention to some matters which may be deemed worthy of your consideration. Prior to the adoption of the new constitution, the largest appropriation made by the State for the support of the public schools was about threequarters of a million dollars annually. The friends of education had incorporated into the fundamental law a provision requiring the General Assembly to appropriate for the maintenance and support of the common schools at least one million dollars a year. During a period of thirteen years following the adoption of the new constitution, the minimum amount fixed therein was the maximum of legislative generosity in this regard. In 1887, after a protracted contest in the Legislature, the school appropriation was increased to one and one-half million dollars annually, and in 1889 it was still further increased to two million dollars annually. The Legislature of 1891 surpassed all of its predecessors in caring for the schools, and increased the annual appropriation to the magnificent sum of five million dollars. In 1893 another half million was added, thus making the entire appropriation to the public schools five and one-half million dollars annually. What a princely gift! This does not include appropriations to Normal schools, universities, and other educational institutions. With these included, the appropriation by our State for educational purposes is more than six and a quarter million dollars annually. What an endowment the State has made for the cause of education! The school directors are the trustees of this fund. I sometimes wonder if we fully realize our duty in the premises? Have we made the best use of this money? The State expects us to render an account of our stewardship. How have we used these talents? Are our schools better? we employ more capable teachers and pay them better wages? Have we provided better and more commodious school houses? Are the schools open more months in each year, and do we keep the pupils in school a longer term of years? Are the boys and girls as they leave the school-room better equipped for the active duties of life than they were before the State gave so bountifully to the cause of education? Since 1891 the State has set aside, out of her revenues, almost thirty-six million dollars for school purposes, and she has the right to impose upon us the burden of showing that this money has been properly and judiciously expended. We can only show this by the results of our school work. Where much is given much is required. Pennsylvania stands at the head of the list in the amount of money appropriated for the maintenance and support of schools. It may be of some value to know how our State compares with others in the support extended to educational work. For this purpose I submit herewith a statement showing the revenue, the

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From the statistics in the table above set out, it appears that Pennsylvania gives almost two million dollars a year more for educational purposes than New York does, although the latter state has about three times as much revenue as the former. York gives about 15 per cent. of her revenues to the schools, while Pennsylvania gives nearly 64 per cent. Pennsylvania appropriates for the support of education twice as much as California, three times as much as Texas, four times as much as Ohio, five times as much as Missouri, six times as much as Michigan, seven times as much as Alabama, eight times as much as Nebraska, nine times as much as Maine, ten times as much as Kansas, twenty times as much as Louisana, thirty times as much as Florida, forty times as much as Washington, fifty times as much as Colorado and one hundred times as much as Oregon. School Directors of Pennsylvania, don't you feel proud of the splendid record your state has made in the cause of education? Whether or not the policy of making such

large appropriations to the public schools will stand the test of time will largely depend upon the progressive spirit of school directors. It is not in the nature of things that a State will continue to give with such a lavish hand unless the schools and the school work are improved thereby. This is a question which demands and should receive the thoughtful consideration of this association and every other association of school directors in the State; and I commend it to your attention as a representive body of school men and school women, hoping we may so act as to help our common cause throughout the Commonwealth.

I congratulate you upon the goodly number present at this opening session; the promise for the future is bright, and we may reasonably expect that this Association will continue to grow until it becomes a great educational force in our State and nation.

An address by Gov. Hastings was noted on the programme, but the Convention was informed that official duties prevented his presence, and the body was welcomed to Harrisburg by Supt. L. O. Foose, as follows:

This is the second time I have been called upon at the last moment to take the place on the programme for which the Governor was announced. It is an unpleasant dilemma, for which I am as sorry as you can be. I shall not attempt to fill his place, but simply extend to you a welcome to our city as à centre of educational forces. We have not very much of interest to offer you, but you are welcome to what we have. There is the capitol-what is left of it that has not been burned or carried away; there is the Department of Education; and there are the public schools, all open to you, and glad to have you visit them. I am sorry my pocketbook is not commensurate with the fulness of my heart, that I might pay all your hotel bills. You are to be congratulated on the large number present at the opening session, ready for the work of the conventionit is an auspicious beginning, which indicates a profitable session.

The educational work in our State is a growth. With a population of all nationalities and creeds, their thought running on different lines, it takes time to get into shape for vigorous work, and we find this process of assimilation going on all around us. The accumulated force of a growing school sentiment has lifted our school work to a plane where it is conspicuous to all eyes; but we have only laid the foundation for a futnre of more rapid and substantial advancement. Since our government is based on the principle of popular representation, we must go back to the people and see that they are brought up to select strong and good men to represent them. If popular sentiment is right, and truly representative men come to

the top, we shall have rapid and permanent growth. For such conditions, the people must themselves be actively interested and must feel that they have something at stake in the way of investment. It will not do to depend too much upon the marvelous donations of the State for our work; as has been well said, these cannot and will not and ought not to continue, unless the people see that their schools are proportionately improved.

In some of our sister States, concentration of power is the rule: the State Superintendent moves his finger, and the educational machine obeys his will. In Pennsylvania we get our power from below, and of course cannot rise higher than the level of public sentiment; hence the progress, the perpetuity even, of any institution depends upon the intelligence and interest of the individual citizen and voter. So if we mean to elevate our schools, we must by every means stimulate a public sentiment that will push forward those in charge of school work. I feel like congratulating you, Directors, upon what has been done on this line. Though not an old man, I have lived to see the schools in many places come up from conditions of no method and no system, to an organization and efficiency that is the pride of their communities. Many towns and villages, as well as larger cities, have vigorous schools, and a people awake to their value and efficiency. To spread and intensify this spirit is part of the work of this organization, and it has not been neglected. I note in the educational periodicals that your Association is referred to as a healthy and promising infant, which may be expected to do much useful work, and has already made itself felt for good.

I will only add that the School Director who gives his time and thought and work to his duty at home, and will spend his time and money to attend meetings like this, deserves and will have the approbation and respect of the people he represents, and the gratitude of the children in the schools. I hope those who are here will have a pleasant and profitable time, and that the work of the Convention will be a benefit to the educational work of the State.

The Chairman of the Executive Committee, Mr. H. H. Hubbert, of Philadelphia, replied to the address of welcome, remarking that the Governor had written him last week that he would be present, hence the item on the programme, but official duty that could not be postponed had prevented his coming. He continued as follows:

I was glad to hear from the Superintendent of Harrisburg again. I remember that two years ago in similar circumstances he made us welcome to everything in town except the State Treasury; and this time I hoped he would invite us to step in there

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