Stratford Normal School - Classic Yearbook (Stratford, Ontario Canada)

Page 12 text:

The Classic June, 1911 dist Church we found some 300 or more students assembled and a general air of good fellowship prevailed. The speakers for the even- ing proved to be Mr. Robbins, returned missionary from the Philip- pine Islands, and Mr. Murray, missionary in China. .Both were eloquent speakers and as each was dealing with work perfectly familiar to himself, the addresses proved intensely interesting. The remarkable spread of Christianity in these heathen lands and the eagerness of the heathen to receive the Gospel were vividly portrayed. AL the close of this session, a meeting of the various delegations was called to discuss methods and means of organizing new mis- sion classes in the respective colleges and of awakening the interest of all in this most pressing need for the foreign,field. The dele- gation from Stratford, twelve in number, felt that there was a need for more classes of study and an increase in membership. It was also maintained that the interest displayed in our efforts by the members of the staff would go a great way towards facilitating our work. Sunday was filled to overflowing. At 9.45 a volunteer meeting was held, The speakers of the evening before outlined the steps that should be taken in order to offer oneself as a volunteer. At 11 a. m. the delegates dispersed to their various churches, and as- sembled in a mass meeting at 3 p. rn., at which various student volunteers told their reasons for volunteering to go to the foreign Held. The testimony of Miss Robinson, Toronto University, born in Japan and a volunteer was most interesting, but others were equally so. A question drawer was also held. In the evening we were once again permitted to hear Miss Kawai, the little Japanese lady who gave us so much pleasure while on her visit here, and her message was a most striking one. She pointed out the opportunities the American young men and women had and the great responsibility that rested upon their shoulders. Mr. Robbins followed and gave further experiences of his life in the far away Philippines. A farewell session of delegates was then held and all departed filled with new ideas and plans and quite prepared to carry them out to the best of their ability. Eight forty-five Monday morning found us speeding on our way to Stratford, after having what we considered a most enjoyable and profitable visit. Things without all remedy, Should be without regard: what's done is done. Nothing in his life Became him like the leaving it: he died, As one that had been studied in his death, To throw away the dearest thing he owed, As 'twere a careless trifie. 6

Page 11 text:

The Classic June, 1911 varies so in different homes, that examples of home duties and privileges widely differing in character are sometimes confusing. But the authority of the school stands on middle ground between the peculiar authority of the home and that of the state, and may well serve as a basis of oral lessons which should begin in the first class. Pupils may be trained for the duties of citizenship by discipline in the performance of such social duties as fall to them during their school life. The control of the conduct of pupils often seems a disagreeable task, but it is so largely because it is not recognized as the teacher's greatest opportunity. An infraction of necessary school regulations is sometimes a piece of good fortune, for it gives the intelligent teacher a chance to show the offender the relation of his act to the interest of the school and to the rights of the other pupils. But the opportunity to inculcate the principles of altruism through sweet reasonableness is not the only valuable element in discipline. As the members of the community must learn the neces- sity of obedience to law and must become conscious of the value of firmness on the part of the government, itlis well that they be con- fronted with this fact, at the earliest moment, if not at home. cer- tainly in the school. The work done in Canadian history and in civics ought to be the most potent factor in the public schools in the training for citizen- ship. The schools should develop wide-awake, sturdy champions ol' civic and social virtues, who have an intelligent interest in present day issues, as well as in the events of the recent past. The teacher who combines this work in recent events and present-day problems with tl1e teaching of history and civics will help to produce citizens qualified to solve the social and political problems of our country- Our pupils in the public schools will be better citizens if their study of history has been enriched and vitalized by the study of living issues. Events in recent history would provide the best possible material for instruction in the industrial, social and political problems of Canada and the Empire. THE STUDENTS' MISSIONARY CONVENTION AT GUELPH. UR visit to Guelph not only afforded us a great deal of pleasure. but was valuable in giving us a wider view of missionary work in general. Nothing could have surpassed the kindness of the citi- zens in general in looking after the welfare of their guests, who. although they outnumbered all expectations, were one and all pro- vided for. Saturday evening the Paisley Street Methodist Church enter- tained us at tea, and the most striking thing noticeable about Strat- ford was the entire absence of a Xormal yell among the spirited peals of the College and lfniversity students. As we were unfortunate enough to be unable to attend the '-'iday sessions the meeting Saturday evening was the first that we had the pleasure of attending. Cpon reaching Xorfolk Street Metho- 5

Page 13 text:

P The Classic June, 1911 VALEDICTORY. Like driftwood spars which meet and pass Upon the world's great ocean plain, So on the sea of life alas! Man meets man, meets and quits again. UH voyage on this sea brought. us to a port rich with those things which go to make life worth while. XYhatever our motives in taking this voyage may have been, while we have been anchored here, there has been instilled into our characters the true desire to elevate the teaching profession to the greatest height at- tainable. The supreme element in this process has been the strong characters who have been guiding our efforts towards the accom- plishment of this aim. It true we cannot see the end from the beginning, in no place has this proverbial statement. a truer interpretation than in a Normal School, which with its mnnerous avenues of study so bewildering in their multiplicity, leads on step by step to the development of teachers with improved methods, true aims and high ideals. Xiihat Arnold says is true, Man meets man, meets and quits again, but life cannot be quite the same after this meeting. So we know that as we leave Stratford Normal School there will go with us the iniiuence of the true and sterling character of our Prin- cipal, and of those affiliated with him who have each contributed in a unique manner to our development. In the Model School we have found teachers each strong in his or her individuality. Nor can two hundred and eight students associate for six months without leaving their imprint- upon the lives of one another. XYe have met here high types of culture and refinement, students whose bright optimistic nature has made our school atmosphere cheery ands wholesome, and those whose studious example has induced us to bend more earnestly to the end in view. Amid all this we have partaken of intellectual feasts, some of which have not been ex- celled in our previous experience, and we are grateful to the Depart- ment of Education for providing us with lectures which have been an unlift and a delight. A refreshing atmosphere has been created for us by the citizens of Stratford in their church and home life, thus developing the social element of our nature. Nor has this development been limited: under the supervision of the staff of this school, ideas aesthetic and social have been placed before us in the planning and conducting of our 'fAt Homes, which have been not only occasions of great en- joyment, but have also contained the element of education. The kind and generous hospitality, extended to us by Dr. and Mrs. Sil- cox, has proved an appropriate climax to all this pleasure. So our bark has been harbored in a healthful Zone and now we must hoist our sails and battle with the storm. But why has this port been endowed with such a wealth of opportunities? Is it that we may receive pleasure, a greater degree of culture, or a higher type of education? No, we are not the end in view, but 7