PENNSYLVANIA. [ S. C. Jennings, Vice President; J. T. Presley, Wm. Eichbaum, Matthew Brown, Dr. McCormick, Rev. Wm. Smith, Directors. The order of the day for 3 o'clock was called for, being the subject of female education; and after some discussion, was referred to a select committee to report on Friday at 10 o'clock, A. M. LINSLEY, MCGUFFEY, and STOWE. Committee, On motion of S. LEWIS, Esq., it was Resolved, That the resolutions on the table, on the subject of Institutions for Teachers be referred to C. E. Stowe, to report tomorrow one or more resolutions, in favor of establishing such schools in each State; and name the studies that should be taught in them; and how far students should have progressed before admission; whether or not the expense should be borne in whole or in part by the States; the number required to make up a faculty sufficient to take charge of 300 students; and whether the males and the females should be taught in the same or separate Institutions. Resolved, That the standing list of subjects for reports be now called over, and that those Committees whose reports are expected to be forthcoming, be required to report themselves to the College, that it may know how much unfinished business yet remains. The report on Turn Exercises (Gymnastics) was made the order of the day for 9 o'clock, A. M., on Saturday. The report on Grammar was made the order of the day for Saturday, at 10 o'clock, A. M. The report on the question, "What are the effects on the progress and character of the learned professions in the West, of the defective preparatory education of so large a portion of those who are dedicated to these professions?" was made the order of the day for 11 o'clock on Saturday.' The report on Emulation was made the order of the day for 3 o'clock on Friday afternoon. On motion of DANIEL DRAKE, Resolved, As the opinion of this College, that instrumental music, as a branch of female education, receives an undue degree of attention, compared with vocal music; that the latter should be made a regular study in all our female schools. Resolved, That the College appoint a Standing Committee of Bills and Overtures, to whom all resolutions and reports to be introduced for the consideration of the College, shall be submitted for their approval, and that no subject shall be introduced without the approval of this Committee. Resolved, That the subject of a by-law providing for official notification of each of the officers elect of his election in order to secure their immediate and effectual action, be referred to the Directory. Adjourned, The College assembled at 7 o'clock to hear an address on the Modern Languages, by J. J. MELINE, Esq. After the lecture, Prof. C. E. STOWE reported, in part, on the subject of Normal Schools, and a most animated discussion ensued until half past 10, P. M., when the subject was adjourned until 9 o'clock, Friday morning. I. Resolved, That the interests of popular education in the West demand the establishment, at the seat of government in each State, and under the patronage of the Legislature, of a Teachers' Seminary and Model School for the instruction and practice of Teachers in the science of Education and the art of Teaching. II. Resolved, That the pupils should not be received into the Teachers' Seminary under 16 years of age, nor until they are well versed in all the branches usually taught in the Common Schools. III. Resolved, That the course of instruction in the Teachers' Seminary should include three years, and comprise lectures and recitations on at least the following topics, together with such others as further observation and experience may show to be necessary, namely: 1. A thorough, scientific, and demonstrative study of all the branches to be taught in the Common Schools, with directions at every step as to the best method of inculcating each lesson upon children of different dispositions and various intellectual habits. 2. The philosophy of mind, in reference to its susceptibility of receiving impressions from other minds.... 3. The peculiarities of intellectual and moral development in children, as modified by sex, parental character, wealth or poverty, city or country, indulgence or severity, steadiness or fickleness in family government, etc. 4. The science of Education in general, with full illustrations of the particulars in which education differs from mere in struction.. 5. The art of teaching. 6. The art of governing, with special reference to the imparting and cherishing a feeling of love for children. 7. The history of education, including an outline of the educational systems of different ages and nations, the circumstances which gave rise to them, the principles on which they were founded, the ends which they aimed to accomplish, their success or failure with the causes of either, their permanency or changes, how far they influenced national and individual character, how far any of them might have originated in premeditated plans on the part of their founders, whether they secured the intelligence, virtue and happiness of the people, or otherwise, and the causes, etc. 8. Dignity and importance of the teacher's office. 9. Special religious obligations of teachers in respect to benevolent devotedness to the moral and intellectual welfare of society, habits of entire self-control, purity of mind, elevation of character, etc. 10. The influence which the school should exert on the of civilization. progress 11. German, French and Spanish languages, with the elements of Latin. IV. Resolved, That the senior class in the Teachers' Seminary should be employed under the immediate inspection of their Professors, as teachers in the model school. The College then adjourned. WM. PHILLIPS, Jr., Rec. Sec. Friday, Oct. 5, 1838. At 9 o'clock, A. M., the members met for business. Leave was granted to Prof. STOWE to add several items to his report, the discussion of which was the order of the day for this hour. Prof. STOWE was excused from reporting on the last two items in the resolution referred to him, viz: The number of professors, and whether or not the sexes should be educated in the same institution. The discussion: was then continued by Messrs. McGuffey, Loomis, Telford, Stevenson, Lewis, Brisbane, Linsley, and Stowe. The subject was finally referred to the former Committee, with the following resolution: Resolved, That Normal Schools are essential to the highest success of the Common School System. The lecture to have been delivered at 11 o'clock, A. M., having been postponed until half past 2 o'clock, P. M., to allow the continuance of the discussion, the College adjourned at half past twelve. At 2 o'clock the College convened for business. Resolved, That the Directory of each State be authorized to fill any vacancy that may occur in the Board, and that it be made their duty to report to the College their proceedings. At half past 2 o'clock Pres. WYLIE, of Indiana, delivered a discourse on Discipline in Schools and Colleges. The Rev. J. CHALLEN officiated as Chaplain. WM. WOOD, M. D., offered the following, which was laid on the table: Resolved, That corporal punishment as a means of securing good government in the higher classes of Schools and Colleges, is injurious in its effects, and ought to be abandoned. The Committee on Female Education submitted the following resolutions, (previously offered by Dr. DRAKE) as a substitute for the original resolutions, as their report. Resolved, As the opinion of this College that the interests of society require, that our Seminaries, for liberal female education, should be placed under the direction of Trustees, and endowed to such an extent as will provide appropriate edifices, apparatus, and libraries. Resolved, That every practicable effort should be made to increase the number of well qualified female Teachers. Resolved, That until the foregoing resolutions are carried into effect our means of female education will remain imperfect, fluctuating and inefficient.. The order of the day was called for, and Dr. BEECHER read a report on Emulation, which was followed by a counter report from Messrs. PICKET, DRAKE, and McGUFFEY, of the same Committee. 1. Resolved, That we regard Emulation or the love of comparative excellence as an original and fundamental principle of the human mind, implanted in it by the Creator for valuable purposes, and never injurious to the character of the individual, except when the moral and social principles are not cultivated so as adequately to restrain it. 2. That the practice of distinguishing comparative merit, in our literary institutions, is proper; but that in this merit should be included as far as possible, diligence, justice, honor, generosity and general propriety of conduct. 3. That it is only when these latter excellences are overlooked and mere scholarship is rewarded, that it generates pride, envy, or improper ambition. 4. That although Emulation, as a principle of action, may carry some minds into excess of excitement, it is to a much greater number a stimulus without which they would make but little progress, and that if it could be annihilated in our literary institutions a majority of the pupils would instantly relax in their progress. 5. That the great activity of this principle renders it improper to make such exclusive and incessant appeals to it, as many indolent and unskilful teachers are apt to do, inasmuch as its relative influence, among the various principles of human action, may thus be rendered too great. 6. That rewards for merit should not consist of money, but of certificates of honor, books, and other memorials calculated to inspire a love of knowledge and virtue. Adjourned. At 7 the College convened to hear an essay on Female Education from Mrs. PHELPS, of Vermont,-which was read by Dr. D. L. TALBOTT. The Rev. B. DICKINSON officiated as Chaplain. A discussion followed the reading of the essay, on the resolutions submitted by Dr. DRAKE, on Common and Sabbath Schools, in which Messrs. Drake, Langdon, Walker, Harrison, Greene, Guilford, R. Smith, Challen, McGuffey, and Lewis, took part. President McGUFFEY offered the following: Resolved, That Sunday School instruction is so analagous to a right system of instruction in Common Schools, that peculiar reasons ought to exist to authorize the school officers to refuse the Sunday Schools the use of public school-houses. The subject was then laid on the table. Adjourned at half past 10 o'clock, P. M. WM. PHILLIPS, Jr., Rec. Sec. Saturday, Oct. 6, 1838. The College met pursuant to adjournment at 9 o'clock, A. M. Prayer by the Rev. Dr. E. A. ATLEE. The minutes of Friday were read and approved. Dr. C. E. STOWE asked and obtained leave to lay the following resolution on the table to be called up with the subject to which it referred, (Common and Sunday Schools), when that subject should be called for, as a substitute for all offered before, viz : Resolved, That Sunday Schools when properly conducted, are a most valuable auxiliary to the Common Schools. The following were adopted as By-Laws : 1. The Executive Committee shall appoint annually on the first day of the session, a Committee of Bills and Overtures, consisting of three members, to inspect all papers submitted for the action of the College. 2. When any resolution or question for discussion shall be introduced, supposed to contravene the objects of the College, such resolution or question shall, on motion, be referred without discussion, to the Committee on Bills and Overtures. 3. The President and Recording Secretary shall notify each Vice-President of his election, and also furnish him the names of the other members composing the Directory of his State. |