MINUTES • . THE PROCEEDINGS of THE TEACHER'S CONTENTION, / ft HELD AT MILLEDGEYILLEj December 19th and 20th, 183J. THE COWSTITTJTIOtt ' OF # • ' THE TEACHER'S SOCIETY CM? GEORGI-fc, ■ • * • ACCOMPANIED WITH ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC. printed at the federal union offlcej MILLEDGEYILLE, 1832. 4 MINUTES &c. TO TEACHERS. We, the undersigned, sensible of the importance of a Teach¬ er's Society, which shall more fully promote the advancement of the cause o 1 Education, do, at the request, and by the consent of many respectable Teachers, and many of tHe enlightened and benevolent of the community, respectfully invite all the Teach¬ ers, both male and female, to convene at the Court House in Milledgeville, on Monday, the 19th of December next. CARLILE P. BEMAN, THOMAS B. SLADE, OTIS SMITH, ROBERT C. BROWN. MONDAY, December l'9th, 1831. According to the above notice, a meeting was held at the Court-House in Milledgeville, for the purpose of taking into con¬ sideration the propriety of forming a Teacher's Society. The meeting being called to order, the Rev. C. P. Beman was appointed Chairman, and the Rev. Dr. Brown of Scottsborough, Secretary. By request of the chairman, prayer was offered by the secre¬ tary. The following communication was presented and read:— • " Af a meeting of the Faculty of Franklin College, Dec. 14th, 1831, it was, on motion, Resolved, That the Faculty highly approve the object contem¬ plated in the call of a Convention of Teachers, to be "held in Milledgeville, on the 13th inst. h ums further solved, That, as it is expedient that this body be represented in the Convention—the Rev. Stephen Olin, Professor and Wm. S. Mitchell, Tutor, be, and.they are hereby appointed delegates to said Convention. Signed by order of the Faculty, A. CHURCH, President." Papers on the objects (5f the convention and education in gen¬ eral, were read by Mr. Cummins, and Dr. R. C.- Brown. On motion of Dr. Brown, it was Resolved, That the. Convention proceed to the formation of the Teacher's Society, and that the Chairman appoint a commit¬ tee of five to draft a constitution. 4 The Chairman accordingly appointed Messrs. Olin, Mitchell^. Brown, Cummins and Slade that committee. At the suggestion of the Chairman, Dr. Green of Milledgc- ville was added to the committee. On motion, it was Resolved, That Messrs. Brown, Olin, and Sherwood, be a committee, to solicit the attendance of literary gentlemen to take part in the deliberations of the Convention. Messrs. Dee, McDonald and Hardman were appointed a com¬ mittee of arrangements. On motion of Mr. Mitchell, it was Resolved, That the papers of Messrs! Cummins and Brown* have a second reading, on the contents of which, much interesting discussion arose. The Convention then, adjourned to 10 o'clock the following day. TUESDAY MORNING, 10 o'clock. The Convention met according to adjournment. After the Chairman had addressed the Throne of G race, the minutes of the yesterday's proceedings were read and adopted. On motion of Mr. Cummins—Thomas B. Slade was appointed assistant secretary. A communication from Dr. Gorman, approbating the object of the convention, wp.s received and read. The committee appointed to draft a Constitution, reported— when the following constitution was adopted and signed. Article 1st. This association shall be called the Teacher's Society and Board of Education of the State of Georgia. Article 2d. Its objects are to promote the diffusion of.know¬ ledge, especially among Teachers ; topromotte harmony arid co¬ operation in their efforts, and uniformity in their mode of teach¬ ing, and thus to render them more useful in their profession. Article 3d. This Society shall Consist of all the Teachers now in the State of Georgia, who may subscribe to this consti¬ tution ; and of such literary and scientific gentlemen, as rfiay be elected honorary members. ' ' Article 4th. Each member, on his admission, shall pay into tire Treasury, one dollar, and two dollars'annually, to meet the expenses of the society, to procure publications, and Id diffuse information on the subject of education. Article 5th. The officers shall be a President, one Vice-Presi¬ dent, for each Ju'dicial circuit, a Recording and Corresponding se¬ cretary, a Treasurer and nine Censors,' all of whom shall be elected by ballot, triennially, at the society's meeting in Dece% &er. a Article (5th. The duties of the President, Vice-President Secretary and Treasurer, shall be such as art; usual for tiinilar officers, in all well regulated societies. The duties ot the Cen~ •sors, shall be to examine all candidates for membership of this society, and grant the.m certificates of their moral and literary qualifications to teach ; and one Censor may, at any time, give such certificate, till the next meeting of this society.- Article 7th. Nine members, together with the President, of in his absence, one of the Vice-Presidents, shall form a quorum to transact business, and may meet at any time, for such purpose, on the call of the President. Article £ih. Any member who shall have been found guilty of dishonorable or immoral conduct, shall be susfftnded from the privileges of the society by a vote of two thirds of its members present, at its regular annual meeting. , Article. 8th. The regular annual meetings shall be held in Milledgeville, on the third Monday in December, and the semi- .annual meetings, on the second Monday in June, at such place as shall Be deteftuined by the society. Article 10th. No alteration shall be made in this constitution, " except at the regular annual meeting of the society in Milledge¬ ville, by a vote of three' fourths of the members .present;' but by¬ laws may be made at any tirfre, by a majority of the members present. •• Article 11th. Any vacancy occurring in offices, shall be filled by election by ballot, at the next meeting after such vacancy cc • "curs. Signed, ■ _ - • , C. P. Beman, » 2. JWcNe'l, * Otis Smith, S. Olin, Wm. Wilde, , Sherwood, Wm. S. Mitchell, Jl. McDonald, * James P* Waddel, Thomas B. Slade, R. B. *Meacham, Thomas Tims, Francis D. Cvmmins, E. Weston, * * James Shannon', . Richard W. Ellis, Washington Baird, * Thomas Stanley, George P. Cooper, Robert C. Brown, ' *«/?. J\I. If*3rd, Daniel Mahany, Gardener Kellogg, James Jackson, Bennett S. Hardman, Lucien Lataste, *Sereno Taylor. jWm. Dm, *Jilonzo Church, * Those marked tlms (*) are Teachers who have signified their intention of be- asjning members, but not being present, did not sign tLc Conttauuon. 6 The Society then proceeded to the election of officers, uncle? the constitution. The Rev. C. P. Be man, President, Rev. Mmzo Church, 1st Vice-President, Rev. George White, Savannah, 2d do. Rev. Otis Smith, Powelton, 3d do. James Waddel, Augusta, 4th do. Francis D. Cummins, Macon, 5th do. George P. Cooper, Twiggs, 6th do. L. Lewis, Madison, * 7th do. Rev. J\lr. Alexander, 8th do. Thomas B. Slade, Clinton, Treasurer, Rev* Dr. Brown, Scottsboro', Rec'g. and Cor'g. Sec'ry. Committee oi invitation reported,—after such report, the fol¬ lowing- gentlemen were elected Honorary members. Asbury Hull, Athens. V/m. H. Crawford, Lexington* Dr. Graham, Salem. M. Waddell, D. D. Dr. F. Cummins, Greensborough. Gov. Wilson Lumpkin, Milledgeville. Hon. L. Q. C. Lamar, ^cottsboro'. Dr. Green,, Milledgeville. Dr. Whitfe, do. Dr. Boykin, dd. Dr! Gorman, do. Dj\ Paine, do. Col. John A. Cuthbert, do. John G. Polhill, Esq. do. R. K. Hines, Esq. do. Wm. H. Torrance, Esq. do. Oliver H. Prrnce, Esq. do. Seaton Grantland, Esq. do. .James Camak, Esq. do. Rev. Mr. St. Clair*, do. Dr. George*Brown, Monroe. Dr. Fort, Milledgeville. Prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. St. Clair—after which the Society adjourned to 3 o'clock PI M. ivusujiy, $ O'clock P. M. The society met according to adjournment, and proceeded to elect censors. The following gentlemen were chosen : Robert C. Brown, • On motion, it was Resolved, That the following topics be submitted to committees, who should jointly, or severally prepare essays, to be read at the meeting iij June or December. The following committees were then appointed: 1st. On the Fellenberg system—Rev. Mr. Sherwood, Rev. Dr. Brown, and messrs. Wilde and Baird. 2cl. On Lyceums—Dr. White, Thomas B. Slade,.Esq. Rev. Mr. St. Clair, and Mr. McDonald. • 3d. On the studies, exercises, and manuals, proper for .common schools—Dr. Green, Rev. Mr. Beman, and messrs. Cummins and McNeil. f 5th. On,the construction and furnishing of schoolrooms—messrs. James P. Waddel, Ellis, Coopef, and Dee. 5th. On Free Schools—The'Rev. Mr. Shannon, Rev. Mr. "Stanley, "messrs. Mitchell and^Hardman. 6th. On the establishment of an Institution for the qualifying of Teachers—The Re\i. Alonzo Church, D. D. Dr's. Boykin and Graham. 7th. On Government—Rev. Mr. Beman, Rev. Dr. Brown, Rev. Otis Smith, and Mr. Mahany. 8th. On Trustees of Academies—Professor James Jackson* Jltheus, messrs. B. B. Hopkins, Athens, A. L. Lewis, Madison, Gummins, Macon, and the Rev. John S. Wilson, Lawrenceville, On motion of Mr. .Mitchell, it was Resolved, That the President appoint three persons to pre¬ pare a suitable address to accompany the proceedings of this Convention, to be published in pamphlet form ; whereupon the President appointed the Rev. Dr. Church, Rev. Mr. Shannon, and Mr. .Mitchell to that* committee. Resohejiy That the Secretary be authorized to have five hun¬ dred copies of the Constitution and proceedings published in pamphlet form, and distributed among the members of the So¬ ciety, and frienfcls of education. On motion of Mr. Cummins, it .was Resolved, That this Society meet at JJ/acon, on the second Monday in June next. Alonzo Church, James P. Waddel, ' George White, Thomas B. Slade, John S. Wilson, Francis D. Cummins. C. P. Beman, and F. Horlbeck. On motion of J)Ti\ .TJ/itcliell, it was Resolved, Tm", Thomas.B. Sladc, Esq. of Clinton, be ap¬ pointed to deliver an address btefore the Society, at .Macon, on the second .Monday in June next. Resolved, That this Society recommend to Teachers, and the friends of Education—"The Annals of Education," a monthly periodical : J)h. Ilolbro'ok's scientific tract: all published in the city of Boston ; also, the " School .Master" edited bj Dr. Clowes, of Queen's County, Long Island, and Hall's Lectures on school keeping, as works containing much valuable informa¬ tion on the subject of education. After prayer had been offered by Professor S. Olin, it was Resolved, That the Society adjourn, to meet at .Macon on the second .Monday in June next, according to previous resolution. Signed, C. P. BEJliAN, Presidents ' ROBERT C. BROWN, Secretary. „THE COMMITTER'S ADDRESS;* perhaps no subject is, at the present time, engaging so mueli attention in our country, as that of Education. And no subject, we apprehend, whether considered'with respect to its advantages to"*individuals or to the nation at large, is more worthy the atten-» tion of an enlightened and fyee people. Few will now deny that knowledge is valuable, afe well for the other blessings whicfi it pro- euies, as for being in itself a source of living, lasting er^oyment to its possessor. An enlightened mind, chastened by the disci¬ pline of a well regulated education, and a heqxt softened by the kindly influence of a refined taste, are treasures as far above the miser's gold, and the sensualist's enjoyments, and the', ambitious man's honors, as thought and reason are"higher than mere animal instinct. It is not more true, that knowledge is power, than that knowledge is happiness, and the 'only seal happiness, of which a virtaoUs nMtt is susceptible, * ihat in a virtuous community, the more general' the diffusion of use ft# knowledge, the more do peace and happiness reign among its members, and the greater the security for social ' order and for civil and religious liberty. He, who is ignorant of«the naturf- & «and fundamental principles of civil liberty, is unfit to enjoy it and can never be depended upon for its defence. The slaves of ig¬ norance ever have been, and they must continue to be, the slaves of tyrants. The strong holds of despotism are still the abodes of mental darkness, the dreary dungeons where the cheering beams of knowledge have not been permitted to enter. But notwithstand¬ ing our favorite national motto, that InlelUgente is the Ljc of Lib¬ erty, have we, as a nation, taken all the necessary steps, that this intelligence might keep pace with our population, and with the im¬ provements of the age 1 While improvem nts in the various arts and sciences, are rapidly progressing—while labour-saving ma¬ chines are multiplying the productive industry of man a thousand fold, and putting within his reach, many of the comforts and con¬ veniences and luxuries of life, of which he was formerly ignorant, "what, comparatively speaking, lxas been done to diffuse the richer blessings of knowledge, and to Wing, to every man's door, the luxuries of a well cultivated mind 1 While we discard the no- , tions of feudal aristocracy and proclaim to the world that " all men are by nature, and of right ought to be free," while we trum¬ pet abroad the great principle of our republican institutions, that the humblest citizen is, by birth, entitled to all the privileges and immunities of the most exalted, have we taken all the necessary steps to secure to him real liberty 1 Have we not left the great mass of our citizens under the impression that any considerable advances in the acquisition ot literature and science must be con¬ fined to the few who have wealth and leisure 1 The ascent up the hill of science has been represented as so long and so steep and so difficult, that none need attempt its dangerous heights ex¬ cept such as can mount on golden ladders' and spend a life of toil in overcoming the formidable obstacles which obstruct their march towards its proud summit. *We permit the few to monopolize the sweet retreats of knowledge and undisturbed by the many to recline beneath the shades ®f the Academic grove. If an individual from the latter class has, occasionally burst the shackles of literary and scientific despotism, he has been considered a Hercules in mental strength, and not a proper lexample for common imitation. " If some votary has dared to kindle upon the humble hearth of the peasant, a fire lighted trom the sun of Philosophy, he has, been viewed as a daring Prome¬ theus, as almost an intruder upipn sacred and forbidden ground."' We seem to consider the light of science as too bright, for vulgar eyes, and her paths too devious and leading and too far away Trom the beaten track of common life to be trodden by the feet of the ignoble. The union of knowledge with the common oc¬ cupations af industry is considered, not only unnecessary, but evfen impossible. Hence, the too prevalent opinion that a very Hioderate share of information is sufficient for the man who is to \9 engage in the common pursuilfi of life. Hence, talents of the? higlit&t order, and intellects 61 the finest mould are bui it d and lost —lost both to thj-'ir possessors and to the country. Many pass though liie unconscious of thgse powers that ally them to angels, and which, under proper culture, would raise them to a proud hey hi among their fellow-men. Who can estimate the anioi;nt of intellectual power which is thus lost to our country 1 ho can calculate the suai jf happiness which is thus denied to man ? SliouH not those treasures which are locked up in the minds of millions' of our countrymen be brought forth 1 Should not "sci¬ ence be called from her hitherto proud and almost inaccessible heights to be the companion and eheerer of the lowliest toi* and of the humblest fire-side 1" Should not every farmer in our coun¬ try be well acquainted with the nature and properties of that soil from which he derives his daily support 1 Should not every me¬ chanic be able to illumin? his shop with a torch lighted from the akar of sciente, and to cheer the labours of the day. as well as to enliven the hours of night with reflections drawn from the depths of philosophic research 1 When we look*at the means which have been invented for -*he com unification of knowledge, ought not men, who are now en¬ gaged in - he arduous occupations of agriculture and commerce and manufactures to make greater advances, in the acquisition of use- •ful inf trmation that the student way formerly able to make-when entirely devoted to learning 1 Must the great mass of our citi¬ zens be confined in their education to the reading and Hvriting of their language, and to the art of casting common accounts''— Alas ! how far should we be elevated , above our present level, if all if them were thus enlightened .l But how many sons and daughters of free born. Americans are unable to read their native language.! How many go to the polls, wlio are unable to read even the very charter of their liberties ! How many, by their votes, elect men to legislate upon their dearest interests, while they themselves are unable to read even the ^proceedings of those legislators whom they have empowered to act for them ! We would not degrade our own state by an invidious comparison with others more favored, but we must acknowledge, that with all its advantages and with all the patriotism of its generous and high minded citizens, liftle has yet been effectually done on the subject of general education. We are not only behind many of our sis¬ ter states, but mtich farther, we fear, than is necessary, making* every allowance for the many disadvantages, under which we have laboured. Our Legislature has not been wanting in making tho-.r, appropriations which were shown to be necessary fo^ he sunp-»l of ins'.i.U'f m of learning throughout 'he sfaT^, Where then, 1'. may be asked, is the fault 1 We answer in *he •organiza¬ tion and management of our schoolg. In the first place, our com* II jfion school system ig evidently dencient, or rather, our entire want of a c \ inon se'rot ' 1 anmott deplorably felt through ad the dc j men n" educa i .11. The wain of corr< tt elemai ary iu- strrc . iXi is not on!;; in this state, but thr-jughout 'he United S^'f . We seem to Ibrget, that first principles are, in education, all important principles ; that primary schools are the places where these principles are to be established, and where such di¬ rection will, in all probability, be given to the minds of our cHI- dren as will decide their future characters in life. Ilence the iJle, and ' he profane, and the drunken, and the ignorant are employed to impart to our children Jhe first elements of knowkJor,—aie set before them as examples of wha*' literature and ccteii'' can accomplibh ! And hence ^he profession of the scinokrrui-'er, which should be the most honorable, is but too off en a -.Mm of reproach. Now should not same step be taken by the citiz< n 1 of our .state to raise the standard of this profession, and wip.j- o'X thia tnsiitution and iaws. Talents will, as inevitably, rise to of¬ fice, as a body will descend by the force of gravity. Is it right, is it good policy for a State to leave many of its citizens without the possibility oi obtaining an education of any sort, and much the larger portion, of them, with the means of getting at best, a very imperfect one? We have already adverted to the want of competency and character in teachers as a prominent and gener¬ al cause oi the low state of literature in our common schools.-— This, we apprehend, is owing, principally, to two causes; remove these and the evil is remedied. First, the labours of the teacher are not sufficiently rewarded. Every body, who knows any thing of the matter, knows, that the labours of the school master are arduous and vexatious in a high degree. It ought not, there-. fore, to be expected that men- of talents and acquirements \tfill engage in them,♦unless their services are properly compensated. Let the office be desiiable in point of emolument, and as a matter of course, there will be secured to fill it, men of such character as will make it respectable. Secondly, the opposition on the part of parents to the exercise of salutary discipline over their children, is, without doubt, a cause that operates extensively in making the common schools generally as worthless as they are. Theorize as we may, and indulge as we please in chimerical speculations contrary to the scripture truth by the mouth of Solomon, we can not subvert it. He affirmed that folly was bound up in the heart of a child, and that the rod and reproof gave wisdom. Experi¬ ence attests the sentiment. Often have we seen men of but in¬ ferior native minds and very moderate attainments, mainly by the force of energetic discipline, establish a high reputation as in¬ structors. On the contrary, it has come under our observation once and again, that men possessing talents of a high order, and those talents wcl! cultivated, were, in the capacity of teachers, for want of discipline alone, worse than worthless. Any man of moderate attainments may .be a valuable teacher, if to assiduity ij* imparting instruction, be join faithfulness in administering the requisite discipline. Without this, we believe it impossible for the highest talents that were ever possessed by man, to constitute a good teacher of youth. Now as long as the exercise of iaithful discipline puts the teacher in danger of incurring the displeasure of atfectionate but misjudging parents,- and thereby losing that patronage which is necessary to procure him his daily bread, it would be passing strange, if, in this selfish and degenerate wos !d, man\ should lie I bund possessing moral courage and principle sufficient to make them run air risks in the conscientious discharge of duty. Hence so many unprincipled and time serving peda¬ gogues, whose grand object seems to be, to win the affections of weak parents by indulging their children to their injury. They aim at popularity in this way, that they may have it in their pow¬ er to pocket the money of their patrons, while they are conscious that they do not render them an equivalent in the progress of their pupils. To remedy this extensive evil, those teachers should be supported and those only, who will faithfully perform their du¬ ty in discipline as well as instruction. We impose upon ourselves, if we imagine, that ever our common schools will be of much value until there is a radical change in public .sentiment and pub¬ lic practice on this point. In conclusion, we would urge upon the friends'of education throughout the State and particularly upon teachers, to endeavour to place the profession at once as high as it ought always to have stood, equal at least to any other of the liberal professions. For this purposfe, we would recommend the teachers throughout the State to become members of the " Teachers' Society and Board of Education of the State of Georgia," and to attend its annual and semi-annual meetings. A. CHURCH, ) JAMES SHANNON, > Committee. WM. L. MITCHELL,) C. P. BEMAN, President JvOb't. C. Brown, Sec'ry.