1858 Teachers' Convention - York County

The Teachers' Convention for the County of York, at Cornish, last week, deserves a word or two of public notice. We think, in numbers, it has never been equaled in this county. Two hundred and fourteen enrolled their names as members; and it was evident from the beginning to the end that their aim was one. - They came together for a single purpose - to get good and do good - to advance the interests of common schools and be qualified for the great work of Teachers. Their prompt and regular attendance was remarkable. The instructions and lectures of each day and evening were the great central point of attraction. The seats were all occupied usually before the hour of meeting. There were no stragglers, no tardy ones here. And then the order, the decorum; such a pattern of propriety in the house, on the way, every where, was noticed and spoken of as it deserved and evinced more than anything else their fitness for the vocation of Teachers. It was well said by Mr. Northend, ''The schoolmaster must be a gentleman." A gentleman in the best, in the refined sense of the word. In olden times it was said a gentleman was one who wore ''along tailed coat." In these latter days to be considered a gentleman one must be graced with a shawl in the estimation of some. Mr. N's definition of a gentleman went a great deal further. It is not enough that he is a scholar - he must have good breeding - good manners - a heart as well as a head.

Mr. Clay once said, "No man ever lost anything by being courteous." All seemed to act upon this principle, and vie with each other in acts of kindness, and this it was which went far to characterize it the "crack" convention.

Mr. Dunnell contributed his full share of interest, and to him are we indebted for affording us this occasion of pleasure and profit. We owe him something for the procurement of such able, accomplished and gentlemanly instructors and lecturers as Messrs. Northend and Brown. They were men with hearts as well as heads. "A word fitly spoken - how good it is!" Never was this truth more beautifully and forcibly exemplified, than in the daily teachings and lectures of these gentlemen. If there are better men for the work we haven't seen - we don't know them. We are content with them and their success.

The citizens of the place who seconded the suggestion of Mr. Dunnell to have the convention here elicited from Messrs. Bunnell, Northend and Brown, members of the convention and strangers, encomiums they may well be proud to merit. By this convention an interest in the subject of common schools has been awakened that can never be lost or die out. It is worthy of remark, very many parents and citizens gave their daily attendance at the convention. And some farmers, who came a distance of eight or ten miles to bring their children the first day, just dropped in to see a teachers' convention. The result was they couldn't get away - about every day they came in and were observed among the most interested and earnest listeners. The closing scene Friday night, was one of the times. Before the hour the Methodist Chapel was filled to its utmost capacity - mostly with ladies. Mr. Dunnell addressed parents and teachers earnestly and eloquently. Mr. Northend, to the regret of all, was obliged to leave the day before. The readings by Mr. Brown were such as he alone could give.

Resolutions by a committee of the convention, highly eulogistic of teachers' conventions in general and this one in particular, called up the Rev. Messrs. Cole and Pearl, Arthur McArthur, and Messrs. Dunnell and Brown - all of whom spoke with feeling and effect.

Resolutions of thanks to the citizens of the place for "their generous hospitality," and for their large contributions in stock to the "good time" - were responded to by Messrs. Jameson, Ayer and Wedgwood, who for themselves and others, expressed entire satisfaction with their share of the dividends.

For more than three hours the crowded house gave earnest and untiring attention - and only complained that the proceedings broke up too soon. Many who met there for the first time lingered to assure and reassure each other of kind remembrance, and bid each other last "good night." VIDI.

Cornish, Oct. 13, 1858.

Contributed 2024 Aug 10 by Norma Hass, extracted from The Maine Teacher, by Maine Teachers' Association, pages 172-173.