ico, and the States of South A-inference seems warranted that the Bible is a great book for making great men. merica, which forbid it to the laity, vitiate its text and pervert its doctrines! In view of the foregoing arguments and illustrations, the Wake Forest College, } Sept. 8th 1857. W.h.o. APPEAL TO THE STATE. Oh, for the coming of that glorious time An obligation on her part to teach Them who are born to serve her and obey; For all the children whom her soil maintains, The rudiments of letters, and to inform The mind with moral and religious truth, Both understood and practised-so that none, By timely culture unsustained, or run To drudge through weary life without the aid A savage horde among the civilized, A servile band among the lordly free! This right-as sacred, almost, as the right And means of life-the lisping babe proclaims For the protection of his innocence; And the rude boy, who knits his angry brow, Or turns the sacred faculty of speech, To impious use, by process indirect Declares his due, while he makes known his need. This universal plea in vain addressed, To eyes and ears of parents, who themselves Did, in time of their necessity, Urge it in vain; and, therefore, like a prayer The unquestionable good. Wordsworth. MINUTES OF EDUCATIONAL CONVENTION WHICH ASSEMBLED IN WARRENTON, N. C., JUNE 30TH, 1857. Seven o'clock P. M. at 9 o'clock A. M. next day, and According to previous announce- 1st hear and consider the report of the Committee on Constitution. 2. That the Convention hear the address of Mr. Holden, at 11 o'clock in the Methodist Church. Convention then adjourned until tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock. ment, a number of persons from different parts of the State assembled in the Court house, in the capacity of an Educational Convention. In the absence of Rev. Dr. Wheat of the University, the president of the Convention which assembled at Salisbury in October last, Mr. E. W. Ogburn of Greensboro', the vice Presidet, called the house to order, and in a short address, explained the objects of this meeting. Messrs. W. H. Bass, of Ridgeway and James H. Horner, of Oxford, were appointed secretaries, and Wm. A. Walsh, of the Warrenton News, Reporter. calling the roll of Counties 143 all friends of Education present, persons from thirty one Counties, enrolled their names as delegates to the Convention. July 1st 9 o'clock, A. M. The Convention was opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. Wilson. Rev. Mr. Wells, of Conn., was invited to take a seat in the Convention; a similar invitation was extended to Mr. Merrill of Mississippi; both gentlemen being connected with book publishing establishments. On A resolution was then passed that whether from this or any other State, be invited to take seats in this Convention. The form of Constitution reported was then read and after some discussion and interchange of views among the delegates, it was referred to the following committee, viz: Rev. A. Wilson, D. D., Prof. Charles Phillips, R. H. Graves, Hon. W. N. Edwards and Wm. Eaton, The reading of the minutes of the Salisbury Convention was deferred, in consequence of the absence of a copy. On motion, Prof. Charles Phillips, Rev. N. Z.Graves and Rev. Thomas S. Campbell, were constituted a committee to report a programme of the business of the Convention. After jr., who were instructed to rean unsuccessful motion to adjourn, and another, calling on the Committee on Constitution to report; the committee on programme made a partial report viz: 1st. That the Convention meet vise the whole subject and report at the earliest hour practicable; and leave was granted them to sit while the Convention is in session. Messrs. Batchelor, Rev. N. Z. Graves and Nathan Milam, were | ing the absence of the committee appointed a Committee to prccure speakers for to-night, and make other arrangements. It was ordered that three hundred certificates of membership be printed for the use of members. Adjourned until 3 o'clock this af ternoon. The Convention at 11 o'clock assembled at the Methodist Church to hear Mr. Holden's address.After Prayer by Rev. W.II. Christian, the presiding officer introduced Mr. Holden, who addressed the audience for near two hours on the subject of Education and gave a succinct and interesting history of the rise and progress of common school Education in N. C., and furnished a valuable paper for future reference, on that subject -sce action of Convention in reference to this matter in another place. on constitution, Mr. Merrill of Mississippi, by request addressed the convention on the subject of text books. Mr. Robinson of Goldsboro' also made some rcmarks, but gave way to hear the report of the committee who were now ready to offer a draft of a constitution. The report with some slight amendment was adopted and the following is the Constitution. "We the undersigned, in order to promote the cause of Education among the people of North CaroIna, by maintaining a regular and frequent personal intercourse with cach other, by concentrating our encrgics and efforts and by collecting and diffusing among our neighbors important information concerning our labors, do hereby form an association to be called "The Educational Association of North Carolina," and having the CONSTITUTION. After noon 3 o'clock.—A com- | following Constitution. munication was read, from Rcv. C. H. Wiley, in reference to publishing a North Carolina Journal of Education—which was referred to a committee of five, consisting of Messis. Brooks, Eaton, C. C. Cole, W. W. Holden and Ransom, with instructions to report to-morrow morning. The thanks of the Convention were returned to Mr. IIolden for his very able and instructive address, and a committee of three appointed to wait on him, and re ARTICLE I. The officers of this Association shall consist of a President, six vice Presidents, a corcording Secretary, to be elected at responding secretary. and a Rcthe regular annual meeting and to serve for one year, or until their successors be chosen. ART. II. It shall be the duty of the President to preside and preserve order at the meetings of the Association. But in the absence or inability of the President, either one of the vice Presidents shall perform his dutics. ART. III. The corresponding quest a copy for publication. Secretary shall conduct the corresMessrs. Blake, Durton and Chris-pondence of the Association. He tian arc the committee. Dur-shall also act as Treasurer, and dis charge all such duties as may be devolved on him by law. ART. IV. The Recording Eccretary shall keep a faithful record of the Constitution. By-Laws, and proceedings of this Association; he shall preserve such papers as may be committed to his care, and he shall superintend the publication of such documenis as the Association may designate. The members then came forward, signed the constitution and thus organized "The Educational Association of North Carolina.” The term "Convention" will hereafter be supplanted by the name Asso CIATION. Rev. R. O. Burton offered the following resolution Resolved, That a committee bo ART. V. The Association shall meet regularly on the first Wed-appointed to consider what meanesday of July, in cach and every year, at such place as it may relect. But the President, with the consent of four vice Presidents. shall have power to call a special meeting at such other time and place as they may appoint. ART. VI. Twelve members from four different countics shall be a quorum to transact business at any meeting of the Association. ART. VII. The members of this Association pledge themselves.cach to the other, to contribute such unds as from time to time may be necessary to meet the contingent expenses of the Association. ART. VIII. Teachers of Schools and Colleges in North Carolina and other residents of the State, who may desire to cooperate with us, on motion, may be elected members of this Association by a majority of the members present at any regular annual meeting. ART. IX. No article of this constitution shall be altered cxcepi by a vote of two-thirds of the members present at a regular annual meeting. ART. X. The Secretaries of this Association with the general superintendent of Common Schools. in North Carolina shall be an Executive Committee to attend to the general interests of the Association during the intervals between meetings. sure should be adopted to intercet and engage in the work of instruction, in our common Schools, the ladies of the State, and report to this body as soon as practicable, at this session. Rev. Dr. Wilson, Rcv. N. Z. Graves and Prof. Walicrs are the committee. Mr. Blake, chairman, reported that Mr. Holden conscnted to the publication of his address and delivered the manuscript into the hands of the President. The committee to procure speakers announced that several addresses might be expected in the Methodist Church to night. The Association then adjourned until tomorrow morning, 9 o'clock. At 8 o'clock P. M., the audienco assembled in the Methodist Church to listen to the speakers, and were entertained with cloquent and insiructive remarks from Prof. Fhillips, Rev. Dr. Wilson, Wm. Eaton, jr., Rev. W. II. Christian and Prof. N. B.Webster, of Portsmouth Va. Thursday morning, July 2, 1857. The Association met at 9 o'clock A. M., and was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Frost. The min utes were read and approved, Prof. | ertions in behalf of public instrucN. B. Webster of Portsmouth, was tion, by Mr. J. G. Elliott of Wayinvited to take a seat in the As-ne, manifested by his prompt attendance with a number of young men who are struggling for an Edacation, with the view of qualifying themselves for Common School Teachers, and that we commend his example in this respect to the imitation of other Educators in all portions of the State." sociation. It was then resolved to go into the election of officers, and a committee was appointed to propose suitable names for the several offices. Messrs. Jenkins, Holden, Frost, Eaton, and J. B. Solomon, compose the committee. Mr. Elliott in response was nearly The committee on School Jour-overpowered with emotion, nevernal then offered their report which theless he addressed the Association was received, discussed and then laid on the table, to hear the report of the nominating committee, who recommended the following: PRESIDENT. Rev. A. WILSON, D.D., Alamance. VICE PRESIDENTS. E. W. OGBURN, Greensboro', 66 M. D. JOHNSTON, Charlotte. G. W. BROOKS, Raleigh. RECORDING SECRETARY. elected. On motion of Mr. Batchelor the thanks of the association were unanimously tendered to Mr. E. W. Ogburn for the satisfactory manner in which he had presided over the deliberations of the Convention. In response to which Mr. O. made a short and handsome address. Mr. Holden offered the following resolution which was passed unanimously, by a rising vote. Resolved, That "this association have observed with pleasure the ex at some length, interspersing some amusing incidents, occurring in his experience as a teacher, and gave a detailed account of the advantages of mental exercises in the calculations of Arithmetic. Rev. Mr. Frost then offered the following, which was likewise unanimously adopted, by a rising vote. Resolved, That the thanks of this association be tendered to the citizens of this community and to the committee of arrangements, for their kind and bountiful hospitality. The following by Mr. Robinson was passed unanimously. Resolved, That this Association return their sincere thanks to the Presidents of the Wilmington & Weldon, Raleigh & Gaston & N. C. Railroads, for their courtesy in allowing return tickets for one fare to the delegates to this meeting. The Association then adjourned to 3 o'clock this afternoon. AFTERNOON SESSION, July 2nd, 1857. The committee on Rev. Mr. Burton's resolution reported, that they had nothing to recommend at this time more than had already been done. |