ORIGIN OF THE ASSOCIATION.

The following Circular, and subsequent Journal of Proceedings in Convention, will explain the origin of the Association.

SIR:

SALEM, Nov. 3d, 1845.

At a recent meeting of the "Essex County Teachers' Association," the undersigned were appointed a committee, for the purpose of calling a Convention of practical Teachers, with a view to the organization of a State Association, the membership of which shall be limited to actual Teachers. It is the opinion of the Association which we represent, that much good results from organized meetings of Teachers, at which discussions of a truly practical nature are made prominent. We feel that our own Association, formed more than sixteen years ago, has, in a quiet and unobtrusive manner, done much for the cause of education in our County, and we are desirous that a State organization may be formed, which shall exert a similar and more extended influence. Such an Association will bring together Teachers from various parts of the State, and among them will be men of sound views and large experience, who will be ready to impart of their abundance for the common good. In this

way, whatever of excellence may exist in one part of the State, will be diffused through other parts.

We believe that such an Association will meet the hearty approval of all who are engaged in teaching, and especially of all who are employed in the instruction of Public Schools. We do, therefore, in accordance with the expressed wish of our County Association, most cordially and earnestly invite you to meet us in Convention, at Brinley Hall, in Worcester, on Monday evening, 24th instant, at 6 1-2 o'clock, then and there to consider the expediency of forming a State Association of Practical Teachers. The meeting will continue through the 25th inst.

Please to extend to Teachers in your vicinity, an invitation to meet as above.

Committee of Essex County Teachers' Association.

In pursuance of the foregoing call, a Convention of practical Teachers from various parts of the State, assembled at Brinley Hall, in Worcester, on Monday, November 24th, 1845.

The Convention was called to order by Mr. Northend, of Salem, who opened the meeting by stating the objects of the call for a Convention. A temporary organization was effected by the choice of Mr. Carlton, of Salem, as Chairman, and Mr. Samuel Swan, of Boston, as Secretary.

A Committee consisting of Messrs. Galloup, of Salem, W. D. Swan, of Boston, and P. H. Sweetser, of Charles

town, having been appointed to nominate a list of officers for the Convention, reported as follows:

For President, Oliver Carlton, of Salem. VicePresidents, Thomas Sherwin, of Boston, Ariel Parish, of Springfield, Barnum Field, of Boston, Warren Lazelle, of Worcester, E. S. Stearns, of Newburyport, and P. H. Sweetser, of Charlestown. Secretary, Samuel Swan, of Boston. Assistant Secretaries, Winslow Battles, of Boston, W. K. Vaill, of Springfield.

The report was accepted, and the gentlemen nominated were elected.

It was voted, on motion of Mr. Greenleaf, of Bradford, that each session of the Convention be opened with prayer, and closed by singing "Old Hundred."

The Throne of Grace was then addressed by Rev. Mr. Davis, of Westfield.

Messrs. Greene, of Boston, Alvord, of Springfield, and Fairfield, of Salem, were appointed a Committee on enrolment.

After some discussion as to what should constitute membership, it was voted, on motion of Mr. Sweetser, of Charlestown, that all actual teachers present, be considered as members of the Convention, and that it be left to their own judgment to decide upon their individual qualifications.

A letter from the Albany County [N. Y.] Teachers' Association was read, conveying its assurance of sympa thy with the Convention in the objects for which it was assembled, and certifying the appointment of Messrs. Valentine, Bulkley, and Anthony, to attend the meeting as delegates from said Association.

The above-mentioned gentlemen were invited to take seats in the Convention.

Mr. Sweetser, of Charlestown, offered the following:

Resolved, That it is expedient that this Convention proceed to form a State Teachers' Association.

After remarks by Mr. Peirce, of West Newton, against it, and by Messrs. Thayer, of Boston, Greenleaf, of Bradford, Hathaway, of Medford, Northend, of Salem, Parish, of Springfield, W. D. Swan, of Boston, Bulkley, of Albany, [N. Y.,] Bates, of Dudley, Wells, of Andover, Walker, of Brookfield, and Russell, of Boston, in its favor, the resolution was adopted.

Reporters for the press were invited to sit at the Secretary's table.

After the appointment of Messrs. Northend, S. S. Greene, E. S. Stearns, Parish, and Lazelle, as a Committee to draft a Constitution for a State Association, and Messrs. Wells, of Andover, Hathaway, of Medford, Galloup, of Salem, and Hale and Swan, of Boston, as a Committee to prepare business for the next session, the Convention adjourned to meet on Tuesday morning.

BRINLEY HALL, Tuesday, Nov. 25th, 1845. At 9 o'clock the Convention was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Allen, of Worcester, and the records of yesterday's session were read by the Secretary.

Teachers present from other States were invited to take seats in the Convention.

It was voted that no member be allowed more than ten minutes at any one time in speaking, nor be allowed to

speak twice on the same question, except by special permission.

Mr. Northend, of Salem, presented a letter from Mr. Page, of Albany, which was read as follows:

DEAR SIR:

ALBANY, Nov. 15th, 1845.

I hasten to acknowledge the receipt of an invitation to attend a Convention of Teachers, to be held in Worcester, on the 24th instant, an invitation proceeding from the Essex County Teachers' Association, of which you are the Chairman.

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My heart almost instinctively goes out after whatever pertains to the progress of Common Schools, and the elevation of the Teacher's profession, and especially when that movement proceeds from the "Ancient and honorable" organization, the "Essex County Teachers' Association." To that Association I have reason to feel deeply indebted. Till within a year, a member of it almost from its infancy, its semiannual meetings returned just in time to meet my wants, to refresh my spirit, to excite my aspirations, and to enlighten my future path, by the teachings of wisdom which were there wont to be supplied. I rejoice for the Teachers of Massachusetts, to whom I still cling with feelings of brotherhood, that there is now a movement to extend all over the State the blessings so long enjoyed in your corner of it. I trust your call will meet the hearty response of all those who esteem the dignity of the Teacher's profession, and that you will have a full and profitable meeting. Nothing would af ford me greater pleasure than the privilege of joining with you on the 24th instant, but as I am in the midst of a term, with some two hundred minds in the course of training for the same great work, I feel that I should do wrong to leave my post even for such a privilege.