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by sheer embarrassment.

Under the circumstances it seemed unkind to disturb her equilibrium, but I suppose there was no other way to get her used to it. Usually in the lower grades, however, they are pleased and proud to have me know about their school by a personal visit. As they get farther on and outgrow the sweet unconsciousness of childhood, the pleasant wonderment as to what mother will think of the school, gives way to the embarrassing query as to what the school will think of mother.

And now I am conscious that what I have offered has been little more than an apology for remissness of duty on the part of the parents. In fact, I have had a suspicion that the invitation to discuss the relations between parent and teacher, in this presence, was in itself a call to the confessional. As such I render my confession in true sincerity, and with the purpose, that so far as in me lies, I will lay aside every weight, and the sin of omission which so easily besets me, and come into more demonstrative and closer relations to those who are doing such valued service for my children. To bring you advice would hardly be consistent with my penitential mood.

Time was when I had opinions of my own. Theories are easily formulated on a narrow experience, but they become marred with use, and weather-beaten in the storms of life, and in the place of our positive convictions we acquire much practical ignorance. This surely does not indicate a softening of the brain, but a softening of the disposition rather, toward those who differ from us. You will allow me, however, in closing, the privilege of re-reading with you Mary Howitt's sweet familiar verses, called

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PROCEEDINGS AND ADDRESSES

OF THE

DEPARTMENT

OF

SECONDARY EDUCATION.

DEPARTMENT OF SECONDARY EDUCATION.

SECRETARY'S MINUTES.

FIRST SESSION.

PLYMOUTH CHURCH, ST. PAUL, MINN., July 9, 1890.

The Department was called to order at 3 P. M.

In the absence of the President, Vice-President, and Secretary, W. T. White, of Tennessee, was called to the chair, and R. H. Tripp, of Iowa, was appointed Secretary pro tem.

The first paper on the program was one by A. F. Bechdolt on "The High School as a Fitting-School."

At this juncture the President of the Department, Henry E. Chambers, of New Orleans, took the chair. He explained that he had been unavoidably detained.

John W. Johnson, of Mississippi, read a paper on "The Demands of the High School for Severance from the College and University."

At the conclusion of his paper Mr. Johnson read four resolutions, which he proposed should be discussed by the Department.

The first resolution was discussed by Professor Chandler, J. H. Baker of Colorado, A. F. Bechdolt and Lewis of Minnesota, Chandler and Smith of New York, R. H. Tripp of Iowa, Mr. Johnson, and others, and was adopted with a slight amendment.

On motion, further discussion was postponed until after the reading of C. W. Bardeen's paper on "The Effect of the College Preparatory High School upon Attendance and Scholarship in the Lower Grades."

Returning to the resolutions, the second and fourth were adopted, after discussion by Rogers of Iowa, Lewis of Nebraska, and others. The third resolution was discussed by J. H. Baker,

Sprague of Rhode

Island, Rogers of Iowa, and others, and was not adopted.
The Department then adjourned.

SECOND SESSION.-JULY 11.

The second session of the Department was called to order by the President, at 3 P. M.

Supt. Rogers of Iowa, John A. Hardigan of Vermont, and H. A. Slack of St. Paul, were appointed a Committee on Nomination of Officers.

E. A. Steere, of Montana, read a paper on "The High School as a Factor in Mass Education."

"The High School as a Finishing-School," was the subject of a paper by J. H. Baker, of Colorado.

Mr. Baker was followed by Miss Christine Sullivan, of Ohio, whose subject was "Art Instruction in the High School; its Utility and Value."

W. M. West, of Minnesota, read the last paper, which was entitled "The Scope and Purpose of Historical Study in High Schools."

This paper was discussed by L. C. Lord of Minnesota and Prof. Crowel of St. Louis.

The Committee on Nomination of Officers reported as follows:

President F. E. Plummer, Des Moines, Iowa.

Vice President S. W. Landon, Burlington, Vermont.

Secretary--W. F. White, Knoxville, Tennessee.

This report was adopted.

The following resolutions were offered by R. H. Tripp, of Iowa, and were adopted:

Resolved, 1. That we look with alarm at the gigantic efforts being made by the Louisiana Lottery Company in endeavoring to perpetuate in this country one of the most destructive agencies to public morals and to school interests.

2. That we cannot commend too highly the unselfish and fearless action of the Governor of North Dakota, Justice Miller of the same State, and Governor Nichols of Louisiana, in their persistent and strenuous opposition to this most infamous scheme.

The Department then adjourned.

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