PREFACE. The Massachusetts Teachers' Association owes its origin to a similar institution in Essex County. For a period of fifteen years previous to its formation, an association of teachers had existed in that part of the State, enjoying a success almost unexampled in the history of Educational Associations. Formed in 1830, a year memorable in the annals of education for the establishment of the American Institute of Instruction, its prosperity has been as signal as that of its contemporary, and it has served a period of usefulness which entitles it to enduring fame. Convinced from experience that the cause of education depended for its advancement, in a great measure, upon the associated influence of its friends, and that, in its comparatively humble sphere, their own society had subserved a highly useful purpose, some of the prominent teachers of Essex County conceived the design of founding an institution which should exert an influence in the Commonwealth commensurate with its more extensive sphere of action. Accordingly, in 1845, a circular was issued, inviting the attention of the friends of education to the subject, and proposing that a Convention should be held in Worcester. The Convention met, and the Association was formed. How far the plan has been successful in the accomplishment of its objects, may be judged from the Transactions of the Association, and from its present condition of usefulness. It might be deemed a work of supererogation, at the present day, to offer views in evidence of the utility of Teachers' Associations: that utility is too obvious. Since the establishment, in 1799, in Middletown, Connecticut, of the first Association of practical teachers ever convened in this country, down to the present day, the idea has been gaining ground that societies of this character form one of the most effectual of outward appliances; and under a full faith in this idea, Associations have been formed, in various parts of the country, having for their general objects the improvement of teachers, and the advancement of the cause of education. So popular has the movement become, that nearly every County in Massachusetts has availed itself of this instrumentality in the promotion of that cause which, next to the Christian religion, may command the attention of mankind. The Massachusetts Teachers' Association has been, and is still destined to be, productive of much good in the Commonwealth. By the assembling of teachers once a year from all parts of the State, an acquaintance which no other means could promote, is cultivated, and a bond of fraternal sympathy instituted which time cannot sever: the experience of many is collected and spread out for the benefit of all: advantageous methods of instruction and discipline become known, and are adopted; defective ones are exposed, and abandoned. Other professions, and men of all callings, engraft improvements upon the social system through the proper channel, the Legislature of the State. But it still remains for teachers, as a profession, to avail them selves, through their Associations, of this means of advocating a cause which we are all laboring to promote, and which depends for its progress so much upon legislative enactment. To the liberality of the State, the Association is indebted for its effective means of usefulness. Without such aid, it is doubtful whether it could have become permanent. Through her bounty, it has been enabled to publish the "Transactions," and thereby give an extensive circulation to sound and practical views, and furnish to beginners valuable instruction in the art of teaching: it has been enabled to encourage effort on the part of teachers, and induce them to contribute valuable and practical essays. For these means of usefulness, and for the many other incidental advantages springing from her liberality, let us pay a grateful tribute to our beloved Commonwealth. Another benefit which the Association has conferred upon the cause of Education, is the establishment of the "Massachusetts Teacher," a Journal devoted to the dissemination of sound views on Educational topics. By the labor and care of a few prominent teachers in the State, it was nobly sustained during the first years of its existence under circumstances highly adverse. It has since prospered, and been secured upon a firm basis; so that, from a subscription list of but two hundred and fifty names in 1848, it now numbers nearly two thousand. The plan of publishing the proceedings which was suggested at the close of the meeting in 1850, owing to some informality, failed. At the meeting in 1851, it was revived, and the whole subject was referred to the Board of Directors, by whom the work of editing was delegated to a special committee. The omission of two of the Lectures delivered before the Association, one by Mr. S. S. Greene, on "Teaching Grammar," and the other by Mr. Sherwin, on "The Influence of Example in Education," also a Report of Mr. Samuel W. Bates on "The means conducive to the highest degree of Intellectual Improvement," is a subject of much regret. These productions would have greatly enhanced the value of the work, as they would have spread out before the teacher a large amount of practical knowledge on their respective subjects. It need not be said that this omission was owing to circumstances wholly beyond the control of the authors and of the Committee. A complete index of subjects has been added to the work with a view to make it more acceptable on account of convenience for ready reference. With these prefatory remarks, the work is presented to the public under the firm conviction on the part of the Committee that it will commend itself to the consideration of every teacher, and will prove a valuable addition to the educational works of the day. LEVI REED, CHARLES NORTHEND, JOHN D. PHILBRICK, Committee of Publication. Boston, Nov. 12th, 1852. |