Lake County, Indiana - The whole text, 1884 (part 4 of 8)

Turning to the Northern part of the county, we find the work also s|)readinfr although heretofore more neglected. A church organization having been made in Hobart, Centerville was detached from Crown Point and together with Hobart, and Wheeler Station in Porter county, was formed into a circuit, and in bS()() X. B. Wood was given charge of the new work ; after v^diom Rev's. Vicars, J. W. Crane, Stafford, Vaught, Jackson, and C. S. Burgner, held successive ministration; and although the membership was weak in luunbers yet the true spirit of Christ characterized these societies, and Avork flourislied, and souls were saved. In 1879 a neat and comfortable church was erected in Centerville, and although several of the old members of the class withdrew and joined the Missicjn Band, which held a series of grove meetings there, they yet sustain a thriving society, having taken in a nuniber of new converts. From 1878 to 1877 F. Tayh)r, T. Webb, and W. G. Vessels, tilled the Crown Point a])pointment, the lal)ors of the last having l)een crowned with success. The Lord poured out his Soirit ill a wonderful manner and many were converted and added to the church at the different appointments, which were at this time Crown Point, Prairie View, and Deer Creek. From LS78 to 1880 O. C. Haskel ministered to the church of Crown Point. Mr. Haskel was a man of unusual urbanity of manner, and thus won the love of his entire people as well as of society at large, all finding- alike a friend in him. Durino- his labors the Deer Creek church was built and the membership was laro-ely increased at this appointment throug-h a revival of the last year of his work. He was followed by Rev. A. J. Clearwaters in 1881. During this year the Crown Point church was repaired and rendered not only much better in appearance but far more comfortable. The followinoyear Rev. Stafford filled the Crown Point appointment, and then in 1883 and 1884 F. Cox returned to the field which (now much smaller in circuit) he filled twenty-nine years ago, and although his hair is whitened by the years that have intervened he yet possesses the spiritual vigor of those youthful days. But few are left now to whom he preached then; yet the story of the cross is the same, and Christian experience is the same, and sinners are yet to be saved, and we bid him a sad farewell as he goes to another field of labor .and G. Streeter fills his place.

In 1873 B. H. Beal had charge of the Lowell circuit, after whom D. F. Baker, who remained three years. In his hands the work of the Lord y^rospered and many were converted and added to the church. A new organization was made at Creston under his ministry, and during his last year a church building was erected in this place, which however was was not finished until the next year by Rev. R. Sanders and dedicated by R. liter, P. E. From 1878 to 1884, H. Vencill, F. M. Stright, and Wm. Crapp, each for two years ministered to the Lowell circuit.

of Lake county has reared to stand fast by her interests, build up her walls and fight the battles of the Lord against sin, she has sent forth a number to stand on the walls of Zion and preach salvation to the world. Of these we find Levi Tarr, who came here with his father in 1851, wliile yet a. boy, and whose Christian life soon gave promise of usefuhiess. Accordingly in 1855 he was licensed to preach and having finished his course of study he joined the X. AY. Indiana Conference in which lie labored successfully for several years, when he wqs transferred to Michigan, where he still proclaims the truth of God. Soon after l^evi, his brother Charles also, a sterlincf youno- man and zealous Christian, feelinothat there wa& work for him in the same field, beino* recommended by the church and in obedience to the command "-Go preach my gospel to every creature*' is now telling the story of the cross auKjng the golden hills of California.

Reuben Sanders, (son of Esq. Sanders, of Winfield township,) who was brought up and converted at Deer Creek, has also been a traveling preacher in the N. AV. Indiana Conference for many years.

O. J. Andrews, who came to Crown Point as teacher in the public school, and whose labors in the church so won the confidence of his brethren that in 1877 he was licensed to preach, and although he yet continues his occupation as a teacher, proclaims the word of life whenever opportunity affords,

William Babbitt, once a sailor, exposed to all the temptations attendant on that occupation, in verification of the promise, the vilest sinner may return, found this salvation though late in life. He wishing to redeem the time if possible accepted the call of God and the church, and was authorized to preach in 1883 at Crown Point.

standing his lig-ht and hilarious disposition ever evinced a strictly Christian character, always "observing all his duties in the church and Sal)bath school with scruy)ulous attention, thus developing a lalent that was not lost sight of by the church, but encouraged and strengthened Ijy those who had charge of his spiritual training. At the age of twenty-one he was licensed to preach and although not yet through his collegiate course has charge now for the second year of the youthful church of Hammond and gives promise to be one of whom the church will be glad to say, he is my son.

The Hammond church, the last organized in the county, was established by Rev. Mr. Vinal, of Evanston, Illinois, in the winter of 1882, and in 1888 this little society by the aid of those of other donominations, who had no church of their own there, and those who had no church membership anywhere, built a house for worship where all unite for the present. This church was dedicated by the Rev, Dr. Nine, of Evanston University in December, 1883.

And now we come to sum up the work and success of this branch of God's church in Eake county. From that little class gathered at Pleasant Grove in 1837 with preaching only once in six weeks, there are now in 1881 eight church edifices, four regular pastors with twelve appointments, and seven Sabbath schools under their care. The membership in the county is five hundred and fifty-seven, and it might with propriety be asked, why, after all the exertions put forth all these years, the number is not much larger. Why are there not more Christians of all the different denominations in the county. It is because as in the days of Job "the sons of

In preparing this sketch, brevity has necessarily been studied. Many interesting incidents have been omitted or slightly mentioned, as a work of this kind would not admit of detail. Many strong minded, humble hearted, and useful Christian men and women, have been numbered with this church and borne their part in making it what it is, whose names may never be mentioned in the annals of earthly history, but will have their reward in the better land.

The German Methodists

There are in the county four German Methodist churches; one in Hanover township on the western part of Lake Prairie, known as the Cedar Lake church; one in Crown Point; one in Hobart, and one in Hammond. The oldest and the largest is the Cedar Lake German Methodist church. The settlement where this church is situated was commenced by the Beckley family about the year 1845. Other families soon came, settling on the Prairie and in the West Creek woodland, and in 1851 George Krinbill became a resident in that neighborhood. A church organization was formed and a church building was erected about 1853. For more than thirty years the German Methodists have been an important part of the religious element of the county. They have had excellent pastors, they have kept up good Sunday-schools, and there has been vitality in their religion. The church at Crown Point was built in 1874. The church building at Hobart was erected about the same time. At Hammond the organization is new, and they hold their meetings in the American church building. From the west side of Cedar Lake many of these families have removed westward. Present number of members in the county about one hundred and fifty. Tliev keep up four Sunday-schools. Some of the young ladies of the congregation and school at Crown Point are becoming good orgaiusts.

The German Evangelicals

In the year 1855 an organization of Chistian workers, called The Evangelical Association, commenced missionary work west of Cedar Lake, A church was organized under the labors of the Rev. G. Vetter, and a building for public worship was erected. The house is no longer used for worship, but the society is still in existence.

In 1867 the Rev. L. Willman beijan labors as missionary in Crown Point and its vicinity. In 1874 a church was organized at Cro.wn Point, and a church building was erected the same year in the eastern part of town on North street. The building was afterward removed to the corner of East and North, where, on East street, a neat parsonage has been erected adjoining the church.

The missionary and resident pastors in this county have been, commening in 1856, one for each year unless otherwise specified: G. Yetter, H. Rodemund, H. Hintze,

A branch church or class was formed at Deer Creek iu 1860 and the organization continued until 1880, "but at present there are only a few members left." The church at Crown Point is prospering. It maintains a Sunday-school. Number of members of this church in the county forty.

The United Brethren

Belonging to the earlier religious history of our county is a denomination not now having any preaching or any congregation within our limits, the United Brethren or Moravians. There were l}ut few members here at any time. One minister of this denomination, an excellent Christian man, resided for several years in the county, the REy. Phillip Reed. He enlisted in the Union army, became first lieutenant in Company A, 73d Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, and died January 3d, 1863. The preaching places of the Brethren were mainly at Deer Creek, at the Adams,' and, probably, at the Vincent school house, occasionally at Cedar Lake, and at Lowell. At Deer Creek and afterwards on Eagle Creek Prairie, they had an organization for a few years of some twenty-five or thirty members. The preachers, except Brother Reed, came from without the county. The Brethren have had no preaching regularly in the county for many years. A few only are left of the early members. Good that is done does not die.

The Presbyterian History By Miss Florence Pratt

Ill 1840 Rev. J. C. Brown, the pastor of the Presl)yterian church of Valparaiso, visited Crown Point and conducted union services in the log court-house, and from that time continued to come regularly, once in three weeks. He was acting as a home missionary, having several stations wnthin this county. As the county was very thinly settled, he was in the habit of calling at each cabin as he passed, thus gathering together his little groups of listeners by whom he was much loved and respected. Early in 1844 Lake Presbytery authorized him to organize a church. Accordingly on April 27, 1844, after public services, a church of eighteen members was organized and Messrs. C. W. Mason and Elias Bryant were chosen Ruling Elders. Seven members were added during- 1845.

A church edifice was now deemed necessary and sufficient funds were raised to l)egin work in 1845. But money was very scarce, the country Avild, with very few roads or horses. Lumber was hard to get, and must be brought on ox-carts from Chicago or Porter county. Rather a slow and difficult method of transportation we should say now. The church was not completed till 1847, although it was used during warm weather before that time. Mr. Brown rendered valuable aid in this work, and whei^ completed the property was valued at three thousand dollars. It was situated on the lot owned by the organization and extending from Main to Court street. It has been used continually since its comple- tion, and, as it was becomintr unfit for further use, it has just been torn away and a veneered brick church, costing about four thousand and five hundred dollars, is to be erected on tlie west half of said lot. The last services were held in it Sabbath morning, August 10, 1884, nearlv forty years from its ouenino-.

In 1846 regular services were desired and William Townlev became pastor and so continued for ten years or until 1856. During this time the church steadily increased, there being seventy accessions of whom only nnieteen came l)y certificates from otlier churches. At the time of his departure the entire number of members received since the organization was one hundred and ten. But the hio-hest number of communicants durinoo in

From 1857 to 1859 Mr. Schultz occupied the pulpit. In Deceml)er, 1859, Lake Presbytery met at the Presbyterian church, of Crowji Point, and ordained and installed Rev. J. L. Lower pastor, in which capacity he continued until November, 1862. During this pastorate thirty-nine were received into membership, twelve coming by letter. Soon after his resiu-nation Rev. A. Y. Moore, an evano-elist in the church under the employment of the Presbytery, was called and became p?.stor, which capacity he filled from 1866 to 1869. From 1870 to 1871 Rev. Samuel Mc- Kee preached to the congregation.

On June 1, 1871, Rev. S. Fleming took charge of the church, but was not duly installed pastor until Auofust, 1872. He resiofned in October, 1874.

and continued to take charije until he oraduated. In April, 1877, the Presbytery aaj-ain met with this church to ordain and install Rev. W. J. Young- pastor, in which capacity he continued till the summer of 1878. During his pastoral work much interest was manifest, and fiftyseven were added to the church of whom only ten came by letter. At this time the actual yearly membership was one hundred.

In the autumn of 1 878 Mr. J. Mcx\lister, a student of the Seminary at Chicago, took charge of the church and so continued till April, 1879. For about one year there was no regular minister. In the spring of 1880 Mr. Carson took the pulpit; and in 1881 Mr. B. E. S. Ely, also a student, was emploved. He continued to preach, and in the autumn of 1883 the Presbytery met here and ordained and installed him pastor of this church. The present membership is not far from seventy.

Bt Mrs. Edith Griffin

The Presbyterian church in the south part of this county, Lake Prairie church, was organized Noveml)er 9, 1836, as an Independent church, by Rev. John Sailor, of Michigan City, with twelve members: Abiel Gerrish, Eliza Gerrish, Thomas Little, Myra Little, Sarah Little, Samuel Ames, Emily Ames, Henry Peach, Betsy Peach, Peter Burhans, Harry Austin, and Henry Austin. The records have not been preserved, and hence very little can be obtained regarding the church history. Rev. Hiram Wason became pastor in 1857* and remained in charge seven years, during which time twenty-three were added to the membership by letter and thirty-one by profession. In 1864 Rev. Benjamin Wells became pastor and continued in charge four years; and for two years the church was without a regular pastor, when Rev. Edwin Post came and remained two years. Up to this time services had been held in the school house. During Rev. Post's pastorate a house of worship was erected at the cost of fifteen hundred dollars and dedicated in the summer of 1872. For some five years the pulpit was supplied for short periods by different ones, the people having no regular pastor. Rev. Homer Sheely came in 1877 and remained a little more than three years. Since then the people, having no resident pastor, have been supplied in various ways; part of the time having services in the afternoon, and usually keeping up a Sabbath-school. Resident pastors preached at the church in the morning and at Buncombe and Blaney schoolhouses each alternate Sal^bath afternoon, necessitating about ten miles drive between services, Rev. Wason man J times going on foot (as the roads were sometimes most impassable,) rather than disappoint the people. The church building now is somewhat dilapidated, but still in use, and the pulpit now supplied by Rev. Harris, from Illinois. Present membership about forty.

There is in the county no church organization of this denomination; but ministers of this church have had congregations here, and preached, occasionally or regularly, for almost fifty years. The first regular minister was the Rev. AYilson Blaine. He was succeeded, about 1852, by the Rev. J. N. Buchanan, who has preached

In the eastern part of the county and around I^e Roy, several families of this denomination have resided in past years, having- their church home in Porter county, yet having occasional preaching- at Le Roy. Some of tliese families have removed, the four McKnight families are the principal ones now left. Membership about twenty.

The Episcopalians

Several years ago an Episcopalian minister held for a time regular meetings at Hobart, where were a few Episcopalian members. No church building of that denomination was erected, and the meetings were at length discontinued. At Crown Point also, about sixteen years ago, perhaps in 1868, Episcopalian meetings were held occasionally in Miss Knight's school-house, then on East street; a bishop was sometimes present, and church life commenced. But these meetings were soon discontinued, as there were very few members to sustain them. Occasional preaching has commenced again this year, in the Main street Baptist church, but Episcopalian church members are few in this county, and as yet there are no indications of any permanent church work. Those whose training and tendencies have been in this direction generally find homes with the other denominations.

The Baptists In Lake

From the days of John the Baptist until now, wherever the Gospel has gone forth among the nations, some have been found, so Baptists claim, in all these nineteen centuries, holdino- their denominational views. Numbering as this denomination now does two and a half millions in our country, it is not strange that some of these, with the Roger Williams' spirit, came into this region with the early pioneers. They chose for their residences lands lying on the west, on the east and northward, of the Red Cedar Lake. There were three Massachusetts families and two from the state of New York. They commenced holding religious meetings in a few weeks after their arrival, and on June 17, 1838, formed themselves, according to their denc)minational usage, into a church of Christ, Elder French, a Baptist minister from Porter county, acting as their chairman or moderator. They chose for their church clerk Hervey Ball. They selected three places for holding Sabbath meetings, one north of the lake, one on the east side, and one on the west side, agreeing to hold their church or "covenant" meetings monthly; and thus the two Warriner, the Church, Cutler, and Ball families, became the first Baptist church in Lake county. They held meetina-s for five Sabbaths, according to their arrangements, when the severe and continued sickness of 1838 and the visitations of death, prevented their meeting together for worship. They resumed their covenant meetings and relations iu March, 1839, choosing X. AVarriner as "stated moderator," and presenting their church letters. They were then nine in number. They soon received six others by letter, and then, fifteen in number, on Sunday, May - 27

] 9, 1839, in the grove on the west side of the bike, near the residence of Hervey Ball, in front of the large logschool-house which had been erected under the shade of the majestic oaks which then were standing on that long slope, they were publicly recognized, standing together in a circle with clasped hands, as a Baptist church of Christ, by a " council *' of six brethren from Porter county and from La Porte, Elder Sawin, of La Porte, having preached and giving the address to the church, Elder French o-ivinp- to them the rio-ht hand of fellowship. Dropping the word Red, they took the name The Cedar Lake Baptist Church. On that same afternoon, May 19, 1839, under the blue sky that, except the leafv shade, was alone above them, in the sun lig'Jit, the ordinance of the Lord's supper was for the first time observed by Baptists in the county of Lake. July 20, 1839, they licensed one of their number, N. Warriner, to preach, and September 8, they gave their first letters of dismission, dismissing brother and sister Waggoner, " to join the church in Chicago." May 30, 1840, they appointed their first delegates to attend the association, and on June 27, 18-10, they had with them in session, by invitation, an ordaining council and ordained Norman Warrhier as a Gospel minister. These were the first ordination services held in the county. The ordaining ministers were Elder Alpheus French, Elder Benjamin Sawin, Elder Alexander Hasting, Elder Charles Harding, and Elder William Rees, five of the substantial, devoted ministers of the state of Indiana, all of whom long ago closed their earthly labors.

III the spring of 1848, the church jiumbering' some forty members, five were dismissed to unite with others in the West Creek Baptist church which was organized ^lay 6, 1848.

January 20, 1856, was constituted the Lowell Baptist church with thirteen members; the Crown Point church havino- been orf^-anized with the same number.

January 17, 1856, ten members being present, (population changing, a church having been organized at Crown Point and one considered as already organized at Lowell,) the Cedar Lake church, having existed seventeen years, formally disbanded. It began with nine members, it received by letter forty-three, by experience and baptism forty-two, and was disbanded with ten members present, three of them being of the first nine. It had from first to last one clerk and its record book was well kept. It had as pastors, Norman Warriner, William T. Bly, Alexander Hastings, Thomas Hunt, and Uriah McKay. It had as occasional supplies Elders French, Sawin, Kennedy, Brayton, Hitchcock, and Steadman.

About 1855 a Baptist church was organized in Hobart through the labors of Elder Bartlett. This church was disbanded or died a number of years ago.

were baptized there in a short time, and a church of sixtj-fovir members was soon gathered at Eagle Creek. This church was disbanded September 0, 1808.

The West Creek Baptist church had been disbanded January 19, 1856, at tlie time of the organization of the Lowell church. It was, m effect, a removal of the former to a new center.

Three pastors ordained, N. Warriner, at Cedar Lake, June, 1840. T. H. Ball, at Crown Point, December 30, 1855. G. W. Lewis, at Lowell, January 18, 1866. One pastor has died in the county, Thomas L. LIunt, who died July 21, 1853, being only thirty-one years of age.

Bancroft, the historian, says, speaking of the Rhode Island cohjiiy, - see his Hist. U. S. Voh 2, page 459 - and of the principles of "the party" in Germany, "its principles, secure in their immortality, escaped with Roger Williams to Rhode Island; and his colony is witness that naturally the paths of the Baptists are paths of freedom, of pleasantness, and peace." Comparatively few as the Baptists have been in this county, very few as they are now, their record in behalf of general improvement, of enterprise, of the cause of temperance, of education, of Sabbath-schools, is one of which they have no need to be ashamed. The present ministers are, John Bruce, preaching once in two weeks at Lowell, residing- on his farm one mile and a half west of Low^ell: and T. H. Ball, who preaches at Crown Point, Plum Grove, South East Grove, Cedar Lake, and Winfield, residing at Crown Point.

The Christian History

The follow'ers of the Saviour who call themselves as a designation only " Christians," called sometimes by others " Campbellites," forming a portion of the large Baptist family, were first known as such ^n Virginia in the time of the Rev. Alexander Campbell, who was one of the best religious disputants in the United States. His discussion held with the noted skeptic Robert Owen, nearly sixty years ago, may well be placed among American masterpieces. There has been in this county Imt one congregation of this variety of Christians. The place of meeting was, for a number of years, some two iniles south of Lowell, in private houses or in the schoolhouse, and of these early times there seems to be no record. According to a published statement to whicli 1 have been referred as authority the church organization dates 1841, the constituent members having been Simeon Beadle and wife. William Wells and wife, Thomas Childers and wife, and J. L. Worley. The last named of these only is now living, the present President of the County Sunday-School Association. It seems a little singular that each of these women mentioned above bore the given name of Sarah. The organization took place at the home of William Wells, the Rev. Nathan Coffinburg being the minister present. Lewis Corner, John Sergeant, and Lemuel Shortridge, are named as among the earlier ministers. In 1869 the congregation commenced the erection of a brick church edifice in Lowell, which was used for worship in February, 1870. This building cost nearly four thousand dollars, of which sum Henry Dickinson gave twelve hundred dollars. A Union Sunday-school meets in this church every Sunday morning. Present membership about sixty.

The Band Htstoeical Papers

They came from Chicaq-o, were English by birth, they resembled some of the English non-episcopal Methodists in their teachings, they claimed no denominational connection, but called themselves a band." So this religious movement amiing us is known as the Band movement. The names of these evano-elists were: Hanmer, Andrews, Martin, Flues, Cooke, Mrs. Cooke; and soon after others were associated with them.

Their modes of working were new here. Quite an interest was awakened at Ross, and soon a number professed conversion. Similar meeiinu-s were held in the grove at Merrillville, at Hobart, at Lowell, and at Crown Point. A new" and peculiar interest was excited, over the central and southern portions of the county, by this new movement. Never before had so many active and zealous workers united to carry on religious meetings. Xever ])efore, in the count v, had such large numbers attended such lono- continued revival meetino-s. Never liefore had so many in so few months professed conversion and been baptized. Nearly all these band baptisms were immersions.

These meetings at Crown Point began in the fall or early wanter of 1876. A ware-house, near the depot, was provided with seats and arranged for night services, to which was given the name '" tabernacle." Here for a time daily meetings were held and large numbers attended. But it was difficult to make tliis building- corned fortable for a larore niofht afatherincr in the cold of winter; so the use of Cheshire Hall was secured, and in that large audience room, night after night and day after day, was held, for weeks and for mouths, the most singular series of religious meetings belonging to our history. The recognized leader of the meetings was the Rev. W. G. Hanmer. After a series of prayers and Gospel songs, a short, earnest discourse would be given, followed by an exhortation, and then by a " testimony " meeting, and then invitations were given for persons to come forward for prayer. During these prayer seasons, lasting some considerable time, many of the Baiid, passing through the assembly would hold conversations with various individuals, urging them forward for prayer, or urging them to profess Christ. For a time, and through this series of meetings, denominational or churchbuilding work was disavowed. The professed object was to produce or secure conversions, and these, it was taught, were mainly to be expected during the prayers of the large praying circle gathered around those who went forward for prayer. Generally there would be a dismission, after considerable time had been spent in this prayer circle; and then there would be held a "second meeting," for the benefit of those who as " seekers " had not been that evening converted, and for all others who might remain. These ineetings would be continued until eleven o'clock, at nio-ht, or later. This series of meetings continued for some three months at Crown Point. The citizens of Crown Point, of all classes, attended. Hundreds thronged Cheshire Hall nearly every night. It was a cold winter, the sleighing was quite good, and people came from the country, who resided many miles distant, devoting their time largely, through that winter, to religious interests.

Of the real good accomplished, of the genuineness of the singular interest that kept hundreds in Cheshire Hall till so late an hour each nio-ht, for weeks and

Quite a larore number did profess conversion, and many were afterwards baptized. On the other hand, many citizens of Crown Point did not yield to those influences and are not now the professed followers of the Saviour.

After the grove, tent, and hall meetino-s closed, in the different places already named, and the converts had l)een baptized and gathered into local bands, the leaders of the movement found themselves obliged, bv the force of circumstances, to change the plan they had at first proposed to carry out; and they now formed these local bands into church organizations, thus commencing a new denomination. At Crown Point the local band ol^tained the use of the North Street Baptist church building for their regular meetings, two or three times a week, which meetings did not come at the hours of the regular Baptist service and Sunday-school o-atherino-s : and in this church at Crown Point, Rev. W. G. Hanmer acting- as the organizing elder or presbyter, the members uniting together in church relationship; and the ordinance of the Lord's Supper was administered. The following copy of a record will show the frequency of their meetings for some time. " Crown Point Band began to occupy the North Street Church, AVednesday evening, June 20, 1877." Meetings: " June 20, 24, 27, 30; July 1, 4, 8, 11, 15, 18, 22, 25, 29; August 1, 5, 5, 8, 12, 15, 19, 22, 26, 29; September ^2, 5, 9 - 12, 12, 16, 19, 26, 30; October 3, 7, 10." Here this record ends, but the occupancy continued some time longer. Similar or- g-anizatioiis were formed at Ross and at Hobart, and in Porter countj. The work became quite systematic and was regularly carried on for a few years. The folio wingis a journal record ])ublished in October, 1880: "A business meetino- of the Band was held at Ross on Monday last. There was a good attendance fromthe different societies, the Rev, Mr. Dickinson, their superintendent from Chicago, being also present. Rules for the government of the societies were presented by the committee previously appointed, which were adopted. These rules are to be furnished the different societies, who v/ill vote for their adoption or rejection, as they may think proper. The name decided upon is the '- Union Mission Church," at Ross, or either of the points where there may by a society. It is expected that the Rev. Mr. AYesterdale will be engaged as pastor at Crown Point and Handley."

Church buildings were erected at Ross and at Hobart, and steady work seemed to be going forward. But ministers of the Free Methodist denomination came among them, and many of these Union Mission church members of the Band church concluded to unite with the Free Methodists. The organization at Crown Point was merged in a Free Methodist society, the one at Hobart was not kept up; and the Band church at Ross remains alone in this county as originally constituted. The Rev. W. G. Hanmer and other Band ministers, became Free Methodists a,nd left the county. As the result of the Band movement, therefore, we have left, the church at Ross, with a o-ood brick buildinof; some scattered members around Hobart, with a wooden building, the Hobart tabernacle; and the Free Methodist church at Crown Point, with a small, neat brick building, keeping up regular services every vv^eek and maintaining a Sundayschool. Membership about thirty. Number baptized in the county by the Band preachers about one hundred and fifty.

The Believers

The conofrecration of professed Christians known by the above designation, at Crown Point, owe their orio-in here to a man of the name of Ross, who is said to have been " Superintendent of the Xorth-east-coast Mission of Scotland for eighteen years and a recognized minister of the Free Presbyterian church during that time."" Giving up that position and denominational relationship, and laying aside the ministerial title "Reverend," he traveled in Scotland for several year^ holding prayer meetings, and exhorting the people in hamlets and villages, where small congregations could be gathered. He now became connected with a small body of peojple " who rejected all existing forms of worship and aimed to copy the simplicity of primitive Christianity." In 1878 he left Scotland, went to Chicago, and there, and in the state of Illinois and in Indiana, commenced, and continued for some years, the organization of congregations similar to those in Scotland, congregations wdiich date back in Eng-land to about 1830. He came to Crown Point in 1878 and held meetings in the Presbyterian church. He came afterward, in 1879, with a tent and for a number of days and evenino-s held tent meetino-s on Sherman street. These meetinofs resulted in the bringing together of a congregation from the Band con- jrregation, from tlie Presbyterian, Baptist, and Methodist churches, a congreo-ation that met iirst in private houses and afterwards in halls hired for the purpose of holdinoreligious meetings. Judge Gillett, of Valparaiso, often met with them and held what they call Bible readings. Their meetings are now held in Abram's hall, and the congregation numbers about twenty-five members. Some of their views are: a membership of those only who are assured of their salvation; the immersion of such, and of such only, in water, as Christian baptism; the celebration of the Lord's Supper on every first day of the week; no ordained ministry, in the ordinary sense of the word ordained; a separation from the wgrld, as far as possible, and from " all other existing religious denominations and forms of worship;" to be subject to the civil pov>^er, to pay taxes, to pray for rulers, but to take no part in "politics;"" and to have no "hired preacher," to have no "hired choir," to use in worship no instrumental music. They object to being called a "sect;" although as the wqj*d is defined by Webster, " a body of persons who have separated from others in virtue of some special doctrine, or set of doctrines, which they hold in common," the term seems to be as fully applicable to them as to other bodies of Christian believers. They claim, not to have originated in England some "fifty years ago," but "maintain that they originated in the year A. D. 33." Thus, like that large sect or denomination known as Baptists, they claim their origin in the Holy Land in the days of the apostles.

The reader will notice that the Baptists, the " Christians," of whom the number should have been eighty, and the Believers, are all Immersionists.

By Miss Helen Cleveland

Fifty years ago Lake county had neither schools nor school-houses, for the simple reason that there were no white people to support them, or white children to be educated. Then Lake county was the home of the Indians. They were the " children of nature."" Their intellects were not sufficiently enlar^^ed to appreciate the value of books or education. They were content to live in huts, to subsist by hunting' and fishing. Their only education was derived from nature and experience. Tlieir history, as far as it went, was perpetuated by tradition. When the whites came then came the desire for improvement. The first school of the county was taught by Mrs. Harriet Holton, in the winter of 1835 and 1836 in a private house, near where the Pan Handle depot is now situated. The next school in the county, as far as I have been able to learn, was commenced in the fall of 1837, in what was then known as the Bryant settlement, in Pleasant Grove. It was taught in a part of the log dwelling house of Samuel D. Bryant, }3y a man by the name of Collins. A citizen of Crown Point, who in his early boyhood attended the school says that his recollection is that Mr. Collins was a thorough teacher, though quite severe in meting- out punishment to his young "hoosier" scholars.

The next school-house of which we can find any record, was built by Mr. Hervey Ball, at Cedar Lake, in the year 1838. A school Avas started then that was kept up most of the time for a number of years, and as Mr. and Mrs. Ball were very competent teachers, their school for a number of years was by far the most inter- estino- and useful school in the county. At and after this period, as the settlement increased, schools v/ere started in different parts of the county. As may be imagined the schools of those early clays were mostly inferior to those of a later date. A description of one might to a great extent be applicable to all. One of the first school-houses built in the south part of the county, was built of unhewn logs, chinked wdth pieces of wood and " daubed " or plastered on the outside with mortar made of clay. The fire place was made of compressed mortar, supported by pieces of wood, and the remainder of the chimney was built with pieces of wood resembling lath, laid in common mortar. The roof was made of long shingles or clapboards, supported by logs and held in position b}^ poles laid across each tier. No nails were used in the roof. The internal arrangement was as -' crude" as the outside of the building. The floor was made of " puncheon" split out of logs. The seats were made of slabs with the level surface upward, supported by wooden pegs, and of course were without backs. The houses were generally warm in winter, and comfortable enouofh for the kind. The teachers " boarded around " with the parents of ihe scholars, the time of boarding at each place being in proportion to the number of scholars. When the school was out the teachers would make out their bills and collect them at their leisure. The present school system, wd:iich is not inferior to that of any state in the Union, has grown up since the adoption of the new State Constitution in 1861. " Our system today," says one writer, "differs in but few particulars from the ideal school system as recently adopted by the National Superintendents' Association." Prior to this date, however, there were several schools of a superior grade. I mention those taught by Rev. ]Mr. Townley, commenced about the year 1848, continuing for a number of years; one taught by Miss Mary E. Parsons, one by Mrs. Sarah J. Robinson. Also, at a later date, schools were taught by the Misses Knight, William W. Cheshire, Rev. T. H. Ball, and others, of v/hom our limited space forbids our making mention. Up to tlie year 1857, there were but few school-houses in the county which were worthy of the jiame. The greater part w^ere temporary in their character, and poorly adapted to the purposes for which they were intended. Since the year 1854, the number of school buildings has been gradually increasing, both as to number and quality ; and the grade of the schools, since about that time, has been making constant advancement. Each year the number of log schoolhouses became less, frame and brick houses rapidly taking their place.

One of the reasons for so marked a chano-e in the improvement of the public schools during the two or three past decades, we believe to have been the beneficial influences arising from the county institutes. These having been held in different parts of the county, and the teachers havin.o- been recjuired to attend so that they could compare views upon the different methods of teaching, and each being benefited by the views and suggestions of the others, and all being benefited by men of superior talent and of great experience as tutors, who are frequently employed to attend the institutes, have been of great assistance in bringing up the public schools to their present condition.

plan of the examination of the qualifications of persons for teachers. This plan has been the means of influencino- teachers to more fully qualify themselves for the work of teaching-, the rule beinjo- imperative that their ([ualifications reach the designated standard in order to secure a license for teaching-. Another very well known cause may be mentioned. That is, the benefits derived from the county suprintendency, whose councils and supervisions extend over all the schools in the county, and all being equally benefited by his instructions. The teachers are paid liberal wages. The expenses are paid by public funds and as the schools are free, every child in the county may receive a good common school education.

To further show the great advancement that the schools have made in the last half century v/e hereto append extracts from Superintendent Cooper's recent and last school report, he having kindly furnished us with a copy of the same, and given us permission to make such extracts as we saw proper. Number of school-houses in the county, brick twelve, frame ninety-one. Total, one hundred and three. Estimated value of school-houses including grounds and seats, $138,500. Estimated value of school apparatus, viz, g-lobes, maps, etc., S7,000. Total estimated value of school property, $140,500. Number of teachers employed in the schools, male fortyfive, females one hundred and twenty-nine. Total, one hundred and seventy-four.

The following are the names of the several county superintendents in the order of their election or appointment; also county examiners: David K. Pettibone, appointed June G, 1861, held office three years; AVilliam

Teachers' Institutes

Thirty-two years ago, in November, 1852, was held the first teachers' institute in Lake county, at least the first of which any records have been found. In this so called, progressive, in many respects truly progressive, age, it is not safe to suppose that steady progress is made in every direction and in every particular. It is very unsafe to deal much in superlatives. The young need sometimes to be reminded that the world's acknowledged masterpieces in many lines lie back of us, and were wrought out by master minds long centuries ago. Even in those things in which, like the Egyptian magicians, we, Americans, deal '- proudly," it is not safe to suppose a constant, year by year improvement; and in our education and its appliances it is not sure that we constantly improve; in even our teachers' institutes, it is quite possible that some of those held years ago were fully equal to those of the present, and that the modes

The writer of this paper proposes to institute, so far as he is concerned, no comparisons, which so often become " odious," but to present statements clear, exact, impartial, as words and expres.sions should be that go to make up what is sometimes called "frozen history," the style of which is so different from the present style of puffs and of advertisements. He proposes however, as one of the objects of true history is that those in the future may know what was actually said and done in the past, to give a quite full report of some one institute as held by each of the examiners and superintendents since the year 1866, the institute of that-year being considered the first as held in accordance with Indiana state law. The following county officers have had official charge of these institutes: James H. Ball, T. S. Fancher, James McAffee, W. W. Cheshire, and Frank E. Cooper.

The first and second institutes, held by W. W. Cheshire, and the third, held by James H. Ball, are referred to in "Lake County, 1834," pages 133-135. A full record is at hand of the fourth, held in 1869, and it is here given from that record.

Lake Count Teachers' Institute

On Monday, December, 20, 1869, the exercises of a Teachers' Institute were opened at Crown Point, in the south hall of the Public School Building. Only a few were in attendance on Monday, but the number continued to increase, until some seventy names were entered upon the roll. J. H. Ball, Esq., School Examiner, acted

Mr. H. Sasse conducted a readmgf exercise. Mr. (Jhesiiire made some remarks on corporal punishment. He alluded to tlie agitation of his subject through the country, especially in our neighboring cities of Cincinnati and Chicago. He did not wish to be understood as entirly disapproving of it. Sometimes as needful to inflict physical punishment in a school as to enforce the penalties of civil law in a State. It should be, however, the last resort after words and grass fail. Should be administered with discretion and care.

Mr. Williams conducted an exercise in mental arithmetic. Prof. Wilcox, of Valparaiso, spoke of the moral and intellectual qualifications of the teacher. He recommended to the teachers the procuring of books and pencils for taking notes during the week. Adjourned till evening.

At the evening session remarks were made by teachers Williams, Barney, Bacon, Prof. Wilcox, Mr. Cheshire, and others, on their methods of opening and conducting a school, but principally on teaching orthography. Various interesting methods were named and explained. Some, it was ascertained, gave two recesses, one for the boys, the other for the girls. This, the old custom, ought still to be observed, situated as are most of our district schools. Prof. Wilcox gave some interesting incidents showing how ignorant some are of spelling. A knowledge of the notation of the spelling book he thinks is too much neglected. Teachers and scholars should know the marks for the various sounds of the letters, should know these sounds, and be able to give tliem. Spelling lies at the foundation of an education. The hardest thing to learn is to spell. We learn by the eye. Teachers must not suppose their pupils have already learned to spell. It won't do to suppose anything in regard to teaching. To keep the close atj;ention of a class let them be in continual uncertainty as to the order in which they will be called upon to recite. Carry out this uncertainty in other respects.

Tuesday. Morning Session

After the reading of the minutes, Mr. Hadley, of Chicago - firm of Hadley, Hill & Co. - gave a geographical exercise. He said: A teacher should go at his work with determination and enthusiasm. Should keep up in his pupils an anxiety to learn. Should be a whole man on each subject taught. Geography by many teachers not well taught. Authors on the subject generally require too much to be committed to memory. It is not usually taught scientifically. This globe a great machine. All the natural divisions of vital importance in the work of the whole. The surface of the country controls the wind, and the wind the soil, and the soil the vegetation, the vegetation the animals, these the pursuits of man, and his different pursuits control the prosperity of cities and the country generally.

Prof. Wilcox then spoke on a teacher's duty. The child the father of the man. The character of the man depends on the principles inculated during his childhood. Tardy, lazy pupils will make poor paymasters. Teachers should be careful, diligent, and manifest good taste ill the school-room. Should not chew tobacco. Should be earnest, just and courteous toward their pupils, and always recognize them in public.

Miss F. H. Churchill was then introduced to the Institute, and made some remarks on elocution and a teacher's work. She first expressed her sympathy with the institute, and spoke of the importance of beino- good thinkers, and being able to express thoughts acceptably. Stated that good speaking depended very much on distinct enunciation and bending the voice to the expressio n of the emotions.

Slie said: Pupils will be v,-hat their teachers train them to be. Discouraging to a teacher for the school training to be neutralized by the home training. Parents should not speak disrespectfully of teachers in their children's presence. Some persons so foolish as to regard a teacher's callmg somewhat low. It was, in fact one of the noblest and most responsible on earth. To the teachers of common schools a great debt of gratitude is due. Teachers should apprciate their position. The idea of reproducing themselves in the children was a splendid idea. The human soul, the grandest marble upon which ever an artist worked. Not Italian or any other would compare with it. She would rather train one human soul to a full development than to carve all the marble the quarries of the world ever produced.

Elocution, she said, was an art, like other arts. Monotony always tiresome. One who reads well will talk well, who talks well will read well. If we talk about a book we remember it. Should cultivate the power of talking well. All good reading and speaking comes out from about three or four grand rules. Vowels in a Ian- ofuao-e are to mve lio-ht and heat. Like a stove without fuel, so a lanofuaije without vowel sounds. There is a different tone for every emotion. When we hear great singers we think their power of expression wonderful. We forget the years they have spent in toil to acquire that power. In the light of that toil it is no longer wonderful. The limit of capability is seldom, or never found. Muscular development is the result of effort, so of mental development. There must be persistent effort to train the vocal organs to their highest effects.

Afteenoois Session

Miss Churchill conducted an exercise in impromptu composition. Mr. Hadley made some remarks and read a composition written by a pupil in fifteen minutes. Prof. Wilcox also offered some remarks encouraging such an exercise.

Mr. Hadley again presented the subject of geography. He advocated the text books and maps arranged and designed by Prof. Guyot. He evidently made a good impression on the teachers present.

Tuesday Evening

A lecture was given by Mr. Hadley, at the Presbyterian meeting house. Subject: '- School Buildings - Teachers' Salaries." Our reporter has furnished no notes.

Prof. Wilcox spoke on teaching. Teachers should teach principles as well as rules. Should not only impart knowledge, but draw forth knowledge from the pupils. Should not be ashamed to acknowledge errors if falling into any. Should be so thoroughly informed as to secure the respect of the community.

All teachers should have sufficient cultivation of voice to be able to suit tone to sentiment. An exercise in articulation was given; also specimens of various tones.

Prof. AYilcf>x. Physiology. Illustrated in an instructive and interesting manner the necessity of teachers understanding this subject - as our laws now contemplate - that they may guard their pupils against injurious habits, and aid them in case of accidents causing personal injury.

Mr. Cheshire then conducted a written spelling exercise according to one of the ways named on Monday evening. Twenty-five words w^ere written. A judicious selection was made of words in common use, yet testing well one's ability to spell. The result of the spelling gained from the visitors present, some fine compliments for the members of the Institute.

Afternoon Session

Mathematical Geography. - Prof. Wilcox. He illustrated the methods of finding latitude by the north star and by the sun showing how a rude quadrant might be made and the latitude of a heavenly body measured. Mr. L. B. Williams then conducted an exercise in gymnastics.

Mr. Ventress, of New York, representing the house of Sheldon & Co., addressed the Institute for a few minutes on civil ofovernment as a branch of knowledofe to bo taught in schools. He said: One has no right to ask or claim attention unless he has something to communicate worth being heard. Good government is necessary, because we are created for society, and we cannot have society without government. Teachers feel its necessity in their schools. Government rests on the intelligent consent of the governed. Teachers have a great work to do in training the children of this country to recognize and appreciate the principles of our civil government. Had these principles been well understood by the millions, been taught in all our schools, there had been no late rebellion. As yet our children are not learning these principles. Too much ignorance among us all as to the peculiarities of our civil polity. Teach children the history, changes, and peculiarities of our institutions, avoiding politics, and they will grow up to be intelligent, liberty-loving citizens.

Chemical experiments now followed by Prof. Wilcox. He remarked, by way of introduction, that teachers ought to know much more than they do, and illustrated this in different directions. Also observed that men of fine culture can find plenty to do in any place, in any country school. Culture never lost if one knows

The experiments were: Bifrning magnesium in the air; combustion of sodium on water; and combustion of chloride of potassia under water, by means of sulphuric acid. The experiments were quite successful, and the accompanying remarks instructive. Indeed the experiments may be characterized justly as beautiful and striking, and exemplified finely the two-fold object of the present Institute, which seems to have been:^ or to have become this, to increase the range of knowledge, and increase the desire for knowledg-e, amono- the teachers of Lake county. If this be not accomplished it cannot be the instructors' fault.

Social Thursday. Morning Session

Miss Churchill gave instructions on the reading of Brutus and Cassius, and introduced remarks urging teachers to maintain their individuality, to be themselves, free from affectation and disguise; also to cultivate independence of thought. Remarks on individuality also thrown in by Prof. Wilcox. He referred, as an illustration, to steel and putty. Urged the importance of writing. It seems hard at first. Efforts should be encourao-ed. Easy subjects should be selected, or write in the form of letters. He suc-o-ested the. following- plan. 1st. Definition; 2d. Origin; 3d. Antiquity; 4th. Extent; 5th. Advantages; 6th. Reflections. Grammar followed.

Prof. Wilcox thought this should not be taught to children under twelve, and at first orally. On no branch was there a greater diversity of opinions. A sentence written by Mr. Cheshire, on the board, was parsed and analyzed.

A recitation was given by Miss Churchill, illustrating different manners of speaking. Mathematical Geography. The revolution of the earth, was illustrated by a simple piece of apparatus in the hands of Prof. Wilcox.

The President of the Crown Point Institute, Rev. T. H. Ball, offered some remarks to incite the teachers to cultivate more fully the power of writing. He said:

The first sentence in the preface of a certain v/ork is, " To most young persons composing is an extremely irksome task." In my experience, with others, this seems to be too true. The same preface states an oft-repeated fact that the power of thinkino- and of communicatinxr thought constitutes the dignity and glory of man. It is the improvement of this power more than -anything else, more than everything else, that raises man above his fellow man, nation above nation, a,iid man above himself.

A oreat oart of the business of education then should be production and communication of thoug-ht. In too many schools this is sadly neoflected. Students seem to dread to hear about writing essays, to hear of composition day.

I count no one educated who cannot write. Said a teacher of experience and position in reply to a suggestion I made concerning an essay, " I can't v/rite." As well might she have said, I am not educated. There are needful for writing these two qualifications: A. Knowle^r-e. B. Skill. You cannot write concerninof tha,t of which you know nothing. Knov/ledge is acquired by, 1. Observation, 2. Conversation, 8. Correspondence. 4. Study or Readino- 5. Reflection.

Says Upham, there are fountains of knowlege within. One must reflect, must think, must meditate, to come at this knowledge. Skill is to be acquired by practice. If you would learn to sing, sing; if you would learn to teach, teach; if you wouhl learn to skate, skate; if you would learn to write, write. AYell has some one said: Langfuaire is not a musical instrument into which if a fool breathes it will make melody. And also, To appre- 'ciate language is partly to command it, and to command beautiful and forcible language, is to have a key, with which no one who is to rule through opinion can dispense to the heart and mind of m.an. Would you hold such a key? Learn to write.

Mental powers are not like bodily organs. They are not distinguishable from the thinking principle, or really different from each other. Says Hamilton, a philosopher of note, "It is the same simple substance which ^ exerts every energy of every faculty, however various, and which is affected in every mode of every capacity, however opposite." He classes tlie intellectual faculties thus:

In writing, all of these are more or less called into exercise, especially the reproductive, representative, elaborative, and regulative faculties. Qur reason and imagination should be cultivated together, and when one blends the hig-hest exercise of the one with the hio-hest power of the other, " brightness shines in the midst of brightness like the angel of the Apocalypse in the sun."

2, Writing cultivates the power of attention. An act of attention is an act of concentration. Tt is not a special faculty, says Sir William Hamilton, but consciousness acting under the law of its limitation. It doubles the efficiency of all our faculties. It is, the primary condition of their activity. The greater the capacity of continuous thinking, the greater is the power of attention; the greater also will then be the result of labor. We resort for materials, in illustrating and adorning our writings, to memory and to imagination. These do not at first proffer us their aid. There must be a rousing up of the attention. What is produced in this aroused state of mind is different from the flow of thought during the mind's ordinary workings.

The difference between an ordinary mind, and a Newton is said to consist principally in the power of a more continuous attention. Newton himself said, with his characteristic modesty, that, if he had made any discoveries it was owing more to patient attention than to any other talent. Mrs. Siddons attributed the superiority of her acting to the more intense study which she bestowed upon her parts.

Socrates is said to have been seen by the Athenian army a whole day and night in fixed, attentive thought. This may be stretched, but it shows what Plato thought was a requisite of a great thinker. Again, Descartes, the great French philosopher, referred for his success to the superiority of his method, not to the power of his intellect. Bacon praises his method, " in that it places all men with equal attention upon a level, and leaves little or nothing to the prerogatives of genius." In fact genius itself is analyzed into a higher capacity of attention. Says Helvetius, genius is nothing but a continued attention. Says BuSon, genius is only a protracted patience. Says Cuvier, in the exact sciences, at least, it is the patience of a sound intellect, when invincible, which truly constitutes genius. Says Chesterfield, the power of applying an attention, steady and undissipated, to a single object, is the sure mark of superior genius. Malebranche, one of the most profound thinkers of France, seems to call this power force of intellect, and Hamilton, certainly one of the most thoughtful and well informed philosophers of our day, says, attention constitutes the better half of all intellectual power. It must be of great importance for tlie young to acquire this habit of attention. It is to be acquired by early and continued exercise. Writing exercises this habit. It recjuires for success a continuous thought. At first it may be irksome, it may be painful, but continued successful efforts will make it pleasant. Says Bufcon, that distinguished naturalist, of time spent in composing - composing perchance those living pages, which v/hile they will transmit knowledg-e will transmit his name also down into the future - " these are the most luxurious and delightful moments of life - moments which have often induced me to pass fourteen hours at my desk in a state of transport - this gratification more than glory is my reward."

Then %vrite, and thus learn to write. And though YOU may not be able to say with Horace, I have founded a monument more lasting than brass, more durable than the site of the royal pyramids, which not the wasting shower, nor the destroying west wind will be able to tear dov^^n, nor an innumerable flight of years or series of ages; nor even with Wordsworth; I perform it in full consciousness that it will be unpopular, yet in the full consciousness that it will be immortal; you may say at least \nth the poet Tupper, " my mind to me a kingdom is;" you may experience that gratification which Buiton valued above glory.

Friday. Mokning Session

Grammar. Mode of teaching conjugation of verbs presented by Mr. Cheshire. Subject continued by Prof. Wilcox. Analyzing before parsing. A sentence parsed by members of the in'stitute.

The resolutions, as was to be expected from such a committee, are well written and worthily express the sentiments tha,t were at that time appropriate to receive approval by the Institute. T. H. B.)

After the discussion and adoption of the above resolutions, some closing remarks were offered by Prof. Wilcox, a f^w vv^ords were spoken by the editor of the Castalian, and a beautiful good bye address was delivered by Miss Churchill. She spoke of the privilege and honor of being an American, of the probable greatness of our future, of our responsibilities, and closed with a pretty and touching little poem, " Good Bye at the Garden Gate."

Thus closed an interestino- session of the I^p.ke County Teachers' Institute. Those Avho failed to attend lost much. While a law" of the state provides for such instruction, real teachers will strive to make diligent improvement of such golden opportunities.

" Miss Churchill, originally of Boston, having made the city of New York her headquarters for some eight years, having read in various places to accomplished audiences in th-e East, in the British Provinces, in South America, and in some of the American islands, came a few months ago to the West, making Chicago her present headquarters. Her agent in that city is Rev. O. Adams, firm of Adams, Blackmer'*-& Lyon. She has devoted much time to the cultivation of her voice, and having fine native endowments has attained to great effectiveness and excellence as a reader. Her voice is flexible and powerful, possessing at the same time much softness and sweetness. It seems fitted alike to express the humorous, the pathetic, the gay, the sad; the deeply tragic, the solemn, the majestic, the sublime. She seems indeed to exemplify what so many of us have read, but what so few of us can prove;

" Up to the face the quick sensation flies, And darts its meaning from the speaking eyes; Love, transport, madness, anger, scorn, despair; And all the passions, all the soul is there."

Miss Churchill has a fair complexion, expressive blue eves, in which the light of genius shines, and is evidently well iiiionned, a genuine American lady, believing in our instituiions, anticipating for the nation a grand future, vet not carrying her views of woman's work and position to the extreme of the radicals of this ag«. May , she ever keep the golden mean! One with a voice so cultivated, possessing so much refinement and culture, has never before visited our county. Perhaps some day she may come again. While with us for a few days she so bore herself as to win golden opinions. May her future career, in a trying pathway, be fair and prosperous."

The fifth institute opened January 2, 1871. The instructors were Prof. Wentworth, of the Cooke county Normal School, Prof. Shurtliff, of the Pligh School department at Englewood, and Miss Paddock, Principal of the training department. Also, Prof. Rolph, of St. Charles, editor of Rolph's System of Penmanship.

The seventh connuenced December 30, 1872. Prof. Wilcox vv^as again present. Chemicals and chemical apparatus were obtained, and one even.ing was devoted to chemical experiments.

The eighth and ninth were held by T. S. Ftipjcher. At the time of the eighth travel on the cars was suspended for a few days. The following is the report.

The eio-hth Annual Teachers' Institute of Lake County, Indiana, opened at Crown Point on Monday, December 29, '73, withforty-nine teachers in attendance.

The house was called to order by the Superintendent, Mr. T. S. Fancher, who, after making some practical and well-directed remarks in reo-ard to makintr the Institute a success, and appointing Jennie Livingston Secretary and H. Allatt Assistant Secretary, introduced Prof. W. W. Cheshire to address the teachers.

A full explanation of the division of a State into civil and congressional townships, giving the starting point or base, and showing how- a certain point can be located, by giving township north or south, range east or west, and number of section - also further subdivisions of sections, was rendered in a clear and concise manner, by Mrs. L, G. Bedell. Closing remarks by Superintendent.

Prof. Cheshire then gave instructions in Grammar, in a plain, practical style, especially for the benefit of youngteachers, followed by the Superintendent with valuable

Htstoeical Papeks

In the evening Prof. Ford addressed a large and attentive audience on "Education in the Good time ComioD'." After a short discussion of the resolution that Church property should be exempt from taxation, the Institute resolved itself into a grand social reunion. Music, conversation, charades, etc., made the eveningpass pleasantly, our worthy Superintendent being everywhere present to see that all were having a good time.

Prof Ford then lectured on Primary Readino- and Arithmetic, and also gave a very pleasing method of interesting young children in school, recommending the Kindergarten system.

Our Superintendent's capital organization of the Annual Institute was rewarded by a large attendance of wide-awake teachers. It was the largest ever held in Lake county.

(The names of one hundred and seventy-three persons are here given; but as the list includes both visitors and teachers, the actual number of teachers in attendance cannot be determined. T. H. B.)

The regular annual meeting of the Lake County Teachers' Institute was held in the Presbyterian Church in Crown Point, commencing August 28, 1876, and continuing the remainder of the week. The County Superintendent, J. M. McAffee, called the Institute to order and made the following appointments: Recording Secreiary, Miss Philinda Ousley; Enrolling Secretary, Charles F. Grijffin; Committee on Resolutions, J. H. Ball, H. H. Ragon, and Mrs. R. C. Wadge. Mr. Ragon and Mrs. Wadge being absent their places on Committee were supplied by William T. Northrup, and Miss Jessie Spray.

The Institute, everything considered, was a success. Great disappointment was felt by the teachers and friends, caused liy the non-appearance of Superintendent Smart and Profs. Smith and Laird, who were expected to be with us t(j instruct. Their places however were very well supplied bv ^Ir. C. W. Ainsworth, of the Register, who is, perhaps second to none in Northern Indiana in experience, knowledge, and general ability to discuss educatiojial matters. Mr. Youche, of Crown Point, also gave the Institute a short lecture on tlie Origin and Permanency of the Connnon School Fund. An evening lecture by Mr. C W. x\insworth - Bad Boys - was excellent. But to the teachers of the county, who so earnestly and willingly worked during the week to make the Institute a success, belongs extra praise. The enrollment reached one hundred and sixty-two names, sixtyeight of whom were actually engaged in teaching.

Resolved, 1st. That it is with grateful feelings that we have been permitted by the Great dispenser of events to pass another term of our annual Teachers' Institute in profitable intellectual and professional culture and research and pleasant intercourse. And as on this Centennial Year we look back to the earlier condition of our teachers we can but recognize the superior advantages we enjoy and that our profession is becoming more and more a compensation, honorable and pleasant occupation.

3d. That in such preparation we recognize the advantages of attending Teachers' Institute Associations, Normal Classes, and the reading of educationalJournals.

4:th. That ^ye recommend tlie reading of the Indiana " School Journal " the official Organ of the State Superintendent by every teacher in the county.

5th. That the Township Institutes as provided by our laws can be made particularly profitable to us, but the inclemency of the winter season, the difficulty of travel, and the finding of ways of conveyance from remote districts in a township make it so inconvenient, especially for female teachers, that we hereby memorialize our township Trustees to view with leniency failures of attendance arising from such causes, provided an equal number of days has been spent by the teacher in a Normal School or class during the year.

6th. That teachers should discard as far as possible in all branches practicable the use of text books for themselves during the recitations.

7th. That we respectfully request of the township Trustees of the several townships to pay the teachers of schools at the rate of 2^ per cent, on the average of their certificates and for professional abilities.

8th. That a uniformity of text books is very desirable in our schools inasmuch as " Watson's" Independent Readers have been introduced in a portion of the county, we recommend their being replaced by "McGuffey's Series " which we at the present time regard as the better of the two series.

Histokioal Papers

tute are due to the Trustees of the Presbyterian Church and Society in so kindly permitting us to occupy their place of worship for our sessions.

The Lake County Teachers' Institute met in Cheshire Hall, December 29, 1879, and was called to order by the Coimty Superintendent, and opened with prayer ])y Rev. E. H. Brooks. Frank Cooper was ay)pointed Secretary. The instructions given during the week were as follows:

Prof, W. H. Banta, Geography, Arithmetic, History, and Zoology; Prof. Bosworth, Grammar and Composition; Superintendent Cheshire, Spelling and Surveying; Rev. T. H. Ball, Lecture on Geology; William Esswein Orthography; N. F. Daum, "Teachers should prepare lessons;" A. A. Winslow, Moral Culture; Theresa Reibly. Primary Reading; J. H, Ball, Winds; Frank Cooper, Compou!id proportion; Eugene Farley, Observations at Institutes; O. J. Andrews, (111.) General Remarks; John Q. A. Sparks, Select Reading; Miss Libbie Allman (South Bend), Primary Work; Ed. Schell, De-

Carried. Mr. Cooper also moved that the next Institute be held during Christmas or New Year's week, and that the County Superintendent designate which. Carried.

Moved by J. H. Ball: 1. That w^e most heartily tender our thanks to Prof. Dale, whose elocutionary instructions have added so larg&ly to the interest and profit of the institute. 2. That the thoughtful and liberal appropriation recently made by the Board of Commissioners to the Superintendent's office for scientific charts and apparatus, is a valuable and useful acquisition to the cause of education, wherefore we tender our earnest thanks for such appropriation.

x\fter some general remarks by the Superintendent the Institute adjourned, Friday, January 2, 1880, to meet again at the call of the Superintendent. Whole number enrolled, two hundred and forty.

The fifteenth and sixteenth were also held by Superintendent Cheshire. The sevententh, eighteenth, and nineteenth were held by Superintendent Cooper. In 1882 the receipts were 8119.20 and the expenses the same.

The Institute of Lake county convened at Griesel's Hall, Crown Point, December 17, at 10 a. m., and was called to order by Superintendent Cooper, who explained the objects of the Institute and the law appertaining thereto. The music committee favored us with a piece entitled "O Wliere are The Reapers." Owing to the non-appearance of State Superintendent Holcomb, Mr. Cooper took occasion to mention several matters which he had. observed durinof his visitations, amonof which were the proper use of the dictionary, use of cliart^ and maps, and sweeping of school rooms. Mr. Arthur H. Griggs was appointed by Mr. Cooper, as assistant secretary. Mr. Ragon, who was to have spoken next, not having arrived, Prof. Dimon occupied an hour in explaining a method of diao-ramingf and analysis. Mr. Fred Ewer followed with a very appropriate and practical lesson on advanced reading.

Upon calling the roll it was found there were fortyseven teachers present. State Superintendent Holcomb having arrived he was introduced to the teachers by- Superintendent Cooper, and made a ten minutes speech, in which lie expressed a desire to become well acquainted with all the teachers and hoped they would feel socially inclined. The morning session then adjourned to meet at 1:15 p. m.

After music by the coiDinittee, Mr. W. C. Belinaii, Superintendent of Hammond school, introduced the sul)- ject of Grammar, from an Etymoh3gical standpoint, and spoke mostly upon the noun and its inflections. A discussion arose as to whether 3d is an abbreviation, which was participated in by Messrs. Gerlach, Belman, Superintendent Holcomb, and others. Mr. Holcomb thouoht custom favored that it should not be called an abbreviation. Mr. Belman gave Webster as authority that it was not an abbreviation. Mr. H. H. Ragon opened his course of instruction by a lesson in mathematical geog-raphy, illustrated by the Tellurian. After a recess of ten minutes, Mr. Holcomb addressed the teachers, first speaking at length upon our school system and its progress, the benefit arisino- from licenses and the earnest work of the County Supterintendents. He considered an important advance in school work to be the thoaough graduation of the country schools and congratulated the J^eachers upon their work in this direction. At the conclusion of his remarks he offered to answer any questions relative to school work they might desire. Mr. Belman offered the following question. Has a trustee a right to retain twenty-five per cent, of a teacher's wages until the final settlement? Superintendent Holcomb responded that the object of the law was to secure the proper reports. By the wording of the law the trustee, undoubtedly has a right to retain twenty-five per cent, of each month''s salary, but in his opinion it would be sufficient to withhold the month's salary. Superintendent Cooper asked if a trustee had a right to include the week a teacher spends at the County Institute as a part of the time for which thej have contracted to teach? Mr. Holcornl) thought the legality of such a step would be questioualile. All the tuition fund was to be spent by each trustee each year in the runnino- of the schools and they were to be kept in operation as long as possible. The closing of a school to attend an institute would hardly meet the recpiirements of the law. Mr. Belman asked if a teacher must have a valid license covering the entire term of the contract? Mr. Holcomb replied: If a teacher holds a valid license at the time of making his contract or the opening of his school, he may continue to teach out that term, even shtjuld his license expire before the term was out. The trustees, however, could limit the term to the end of the school year, viz.: 1st July. Mr. Fred Ewer asked if a parent has a right to say what a pupil shall study. Mr. Holcomb replied that the law required the eight l)ranches to be taught and such additional branches as the patrons may desire, but such desire must be expressed by a majority of the patrons and in writincp and siofned. It has been held by deeisions of the court that a prescribed course of study can be enforced. It would be better perhaps to let the pupils sustain the loss, if the parent insists than to encourage a spirit of opposition, in small schools. In reply to a question, proposed by Mr. Gerlach, AA'ho has a right to yote at a school meeting? He said "The in:!pression that patrons have to elect a teach.er is an error. An election of a teacher is not binding upon the trustee. The trustee is responsible for the school and it is his duty to appoint the teachers. Patrons in school meetings may protest against the appointment of a certain teacher but they have no right to select teachers. To the question what would be a leg-al notice of an institute he replied, 1st, a verJDal notice at time of contract; 2d, a notice of stated meetinirs in the manual; 3d, in cases where, for cause, there has been a cessation or omission of the meetings a day's notice would he sufficient. Upon callinaj- of roll, seventy-two teachers were found to have been present, and twenty-six visitors.

The Institute opened at 9 a. m., with music and reading of the minutes. Mr. J. Q. A. Sparks, of Whiting, told how he would teach without apparatus, occupying about ten minutes, and was followed by Charles Strong, in a .very able talk upon the value of Grammar. Mrs. Foster brought in a class of boys and girls and gave a recitation in language, which was very line and highly appreciated. After Mr. Gerlach's remarks on teachers' duties, a recess was given. The roll call showed seventy-two teacliers present. The remainder of the forenoon was occupied by Mr. Belman considering the points in pronouns, enlivened at times by the questions and discussions of various teachers.

Tuesday Afternoon Sesston

The Institute was opened by music, followed by a^ continuation of Mr. Dimon's work in analysis. In the mean time the committee on resolutions retired for deliberation. Mr. Stevenson followed, introducing his work in physiology. After a recess of fifteen minutes, Mr. Ragon contijiued his work in geography, speaking principally of twilight and its causes. Mr. Cooper appointed Mr. Belman, chairman; Helen Cleveland, Agnes

Historical Papers. Zoo

After the o])eninir exercises the followhiD- question which had been handed Superintendent Cooper was read and answered by him. '"Should or may a teacher use any other book which may be in possession of a pupil whose parents are so poor as to be unable to provide him with the proper books? A. It is a hard matter to dispose of, when we know parents cannot possil:)ly buy books without takincr bread out of their mouths, yet, 1 say you may, where your school will permit, hear pupils in any text book they may brinjo-. ]f, however, vou have to neglect others, you need not do so. Mr. McKinney, whose subject was philosophy of history, spent some time in considerino- the benefits of meinorizinec, followed by an illustrative recitation. Miss x\s!"nes Dyer, followed upon the sul)iect of map drawing- uro-ino- that it should be made progressive, first drawing a map of the school room, then of the grounds, the village, the county, and finally the State and other States. Mrs. Foster gave another illustrative exercise in y)rimarv teaching with a class of small children. After recess, Mr. Porter, Superintendent of Porter county, explained the metric system in an ahle manner. To the call of the roll eightysix teachers responded, after which the morning session adjourned.

tions which was followed by Mr. Ragon, who dwelt mostly upon meridians and nietliods of measuring the surface of the earth. Prof. Dimon continued liis work on analysis, mostly upon copulative verbs, attributes, compound subjects and predicates and participal modifiers. Ninety-five teachers were found to be present upon calling the roll. After recess. Superintendent Porter delivered an address entitled " How Shall We Succeed." He looked at the subject from tv/o standpoints, viz.: For the g'ood of the citizen; 2d, for the good of the teacher. He made a number of good points, among- which we noticed him to mention the necessity of cultivating adaptability to your surroundings, that there were two classes of teachers: hearers of lessons, and genuine teachers; that our schools will be just what we make them, and this depends upon our energy. No teacher must expect to succeed who closes his mind with the school house door at four o'clock. Never be late. Be a pattern of neatness. Look constantly to the comfort of your pupils. Always wear a cheerful appearance and strive to make the school-room just a little more attractive to the children than their homes. Not to make a long list of rules, for each one broken weakens the power of government, and avoid memorizing, because it has passed (3ut of date. His remarks were full of good things. After some miscellaneous business, the Institute adjourned.

Thursday Morning Session

Opened by music and reading of minutes. The first ten minutes was occupied by Mr. Church upon the art of questioning, illustrating the topic by legal practice and suggestive questions. His remarks were good and much appreciated. He ^vas followed by a few remarks on reading by ^iUiss Helen Winslow. Mr. Truesdale illustrated proportion by analysis, and Mrs. Anna Brown g-ave a pleasant talk on rhetoric. Mr. Porter completed his work on the metric system. After recess Mr. Brown, of ValDaraiso, took the floor, considering- percentage and its applications, making his principal point on discount. During the morning session there were ninety-one teachers and one hundred and tAyentv-three visitors present.

Mr. Stevenson continued his lessons in physiology, resuming the subject of the skeleton concluding with the eye. Mr. Brown then explained arithmetical and geometrical progression. After recess Mr. Belman spoke uy3on the verb and its inflexions. A discussion arose as to whether dreamed is always an intransitive verb. Mr. Brovrn finally decided that it v/as sometimes transitive. There were ninety-three teachers present. The Institute was honored by the presence of Prof. Swcaringen and his three assistants from Hebron. After some announcements the Institute adjourned.

After the opening exercises Mr. Dimon concluded his work on analvsis and was followed by Mr. Ragon upon tides. After recess Miss Anna Koupal o-ave a short talk on methods of spelling. Miss Cynthia Wood spoke of a method of introducing literature into recitations of advanced reading classes. Mr. Porter then gave some illustrative examples of methods in teaching numbers,

Mr. Belinan completed his work in grammar duriiiothe first hour. Mr. Stevenson, chairman of the committee on resohitions read their report, as folhnvs:

Whereas, We, the teachers of Lake county, Indiana, assembled in annual session for the purpose of improving; our methods of instruction and of difEusing among ourselves that knowledge so requisite to our success as teachers and having passed a. week of pleasant and profitable work do therefore.

Resolve, That we heartily approve the efforts of our worthy Superintendent in making this Institute a successs by securing th.e best, instructors at his command.

Resolved, That we gratefully recognize the kindness shown us by the leading educators of Porter county. Superintendent Porter and Browji, of the Valparaiso Normal, assisting in the instruction of our body of teachers. We express our sincere thanks to these gentlemen and hope for further cultivation of pleasant and neighborly relations.

Resolved, That a vote of thanks be tendered to the ladies and gentlemen who participated in the programme at the social Thursday evening, thereby rendering the occasion pleasant and entertaining for all.

Resolved, That we encourage and approve the payment of the sum of fifty cents by each applicant for a license during the coming year, the fund so derived to be known as the Institute fund and applied in securing the best instruction at our next annual session.

Resolved, Tliat we respectfully protest against the custom of havino^ one-fourth of each month's wao-es withheld until the close of our term of school and that, unless we are allowed a fair compensation for the fund so withheld, we request a discontinuance of the practice.

Resolved, That we notice with pleasure the effort made by our County Superintendent regardino- the grading of our schools and that this effort meets with a hearty response from all teachers of Lake county, who are striving for the highest aim in education.

Lizzie Adams

Mr. Cooper then addressed the meeting for a few moments, thanking the teachers and friends for their attendance and interest taken. After the reading of the minutes. Prof. Dimon having obtained permission to speak about the educational column very adroitly turned Ins remarks into praise of the Avork of our county Superintendent and concluded by presenting Superintendent Cooper with a gold watch and chain in the name of the teachers of Lake county. Mr. Cooper was completely surprised, and for a moment speechless. When he rose to

Normal School Work

Webster says, " Normal school, a school whose methods of instruction are to serve as a model for imitation; an institution for the education of teachers." Such schools, established many years ago in the East, have of late years sprung up a,bundantiy in these North Central States. The first formal instruction of the kind, given in this county, was by T. H. Ball, who after the close of the Crown Point Institute operjed a Normal school August 19, 1872. The first class v/as small. The session continued thirteen weeks. At the opening of that course of instruction three objects were proposed to the young teachers, which the course was designed to accomplish. These were: to increase the amount of their knowledge; to increase the amount of their culture; and to give instruction in regard to methods and ways of teaching. In carrying out this course, besides the special instruction in physiology and English analaysis, the special notes on orthography and the writing of a thousand carefully selected words, with some little text-book recitation, an outline was o-iven and written out of United States history, and thirty short lectures were dictated, written, and, to quite an extent, committed to memory. These lectures included the di:fferent departments of Geotrraphy, and, as included in Physical Geography, Geoloi^V, also Botany, Zoology, Philosophy, Language, the English Language and its characteristics, Taste, Style, Varieties of Writing, Figurative Language, Reading, Chemistry, Mythology, Meteorology, and School Government.

For this outline of subjects the writer of this paper is largely indebted to Miss Emma Sherman of Crown Point, who was -a member of that first normal class.

In indicating still more the design of this course the following extracts are given as taken from the teacher's opening address. " In doing this" - referring to the culture to be sought vv-ith the increase of knowledge - "in some of the thirty lectures proposed in this course, I may give you some ideas concerning the whole range of the sciences, some knowledge of all the liberal arts, some divisions and brief outlines of universal history, something' concernino- the rhetoric and loo-ic, as well as the 0-rammar of lang-uao-e, some account of the Roman and Grecian mythology, allusions to which are so common in some of the fine arts and g-eneral literature."

One other sentence from that address is also here quoted. "You are aware that in a school room a thing may be done neD-lioently or carefully, awkwardly or gracefully, blunderingly or accurately, in a v.-ay v/hich betrays ignorance or in a manner which is called scholarly."

Other terms follovved this, year by year, the school taking for a time the name, " Lake County Gymnasium and Normal School," in which, besides the special train- ing- of teachers, lioys and voiino" men were fitted for bvisiness pursuits, this school chjsino- in 1871). In these seven years none of the chisses were lai'^'e; Irat cjuite a iiunilier who are now prosperous lousiness inen, and many who are now wives and mothers well situated in life, a few still continuincr to be teachers, received in this school a portion of their trainintr, and they will doubtless remember the first normal school of Lake.

The next normal schools were held by the county Superintendents, commencing in 1876. Suprerintendent McAffee held the first. He was assisted, during one term, by O. J. Andrews, who had attended the Normal at Englewood conducted by Prof. Wentv/orth. Dictated lectures w^ere employed largely by Superintendent Mc- Affee in g-ivina- instruction. An outline of his course of lectures is not at hand. His term commenced July 17, 1876, and continued six weeks. The rate of tuition was one dollar per week. The number enrolled was Tifty-six, the averao-e attendance was forty. One evenino- lecture was given.

W. W. Cheshire, who was the next Superintendent, held his first normal school in 1879. He employed mainly the method of topical recitation, reviewing the different branches required by the state law for elementary instruction, in which applicants for license were required to be examined. The pupils prepared their les- sons from any text l)ooks at hand. Prof. Boone, of Frankfort, assisted Superintendent Cheshire in 1879, conducting the reading exercises, giving instruction in U. S. history by means of topical diagrams given for each lessun in advance, and teaching physiology in tlie same manner. Superintendent Cheshire gave each clay written exercises in spelling, reviewing the words each week. Prof. Boone gave talks, or informal lectures, on general subjects, thus increasing the range of the knowledge of the members of the school. He advised them all to keep abreast with the general current of the important matters of the day. Prof. G. W. Dale, an elocutionist, gave instruction in his department; and also Prof. Eli B. Miller, another elocutionist. An agent for a publishinfj- house at Cincinnati, visirinir this school, offered two prizes which created coPisideraVde interest. The one was to the young man who, by the vote of the young ladies, should be declared to read in the ])est manner the extract from S}mkespeare''s Shyh.)ck on Mercy. The other was to the young lady who by the voice of the young men should be pronounced the best reader of Tennyson's Bugle Call. The latter prize was adjudged to Miss Lovina Stafford; the former to F. E. Cooper, the present Superinte.'ident of schools in Lake county. Superintendent Cheshire held two normal institutes this year. The one, of which the foreooiuuf notice treats was at Crown Point, commencing July 7, and the other at Lowell commencing September 2. The two were held fourteen weeks. Number enrolled in both one hundred and two. Number of instructors nine. Tuition per week seyenty-five cents. Evening lectures three. See State Superintendent's Report for 1880.

In the summer of 1880 Prof. Boone assisted for a short time, and by request of Superintendent Cheshire there was added to the course a series of short lectures on the Dark Ages, given by T. H. Ball.

Prof. Boone gave some instruction again in 1881, adding each year to the impression which he first made as a gentlemanly, cultivated scholar.

Superintendent Cooper opened on July 7, 1884 "a review term of eio-ht w^eeks" in the public school building on North street in Crown Point. " He employed as assistant W. C. Belman, Principal of the Hammond school. The work to be covered was a review of the common branches and algebra together with instruction in theory of teaching." The Superintendent in the forenoon conducted recitations in arithmetic, geography, history, theory of teaching, and orthography. Principal Belman's work was in the afternoon of each day in grammar, reading, physiology, penmanship, and algebra. " The work was taken up by subjects and not by page or lesson."

The enrollment on the first day was thirty-five, and reached eighty-nine during the term. Average daily attendance sixty-five. Of those enrolled nineteen were males and seventy females."

8. Lowell Public School. A. L. Stevenson, Principal. Teachers four. (This was the first school in the county to have a large two story building with ample rooms and well furnished. The township trustee was then ]\r. A. Halsted, who is accustomed to do thino-g on a large and generous scale.)

6. St. Johns Public School. A. Gerlach, Principal. Teachers two. (The principal of this is a graduate of the " Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle," which provides a plan and a course of reading, covering, it is said, "the college curriculum," which course of study "over sixty thousand people are now engaged in prosecuting.")

Of course only five of these schools can be very thoroughly graded; and one only, the Crown Point school with its ten teachers, has as yet all the departments belonging to the American system of graded public schools. It may be added here also, that in the judgment of tlie writer, in all the schools in the county the natural sciences are too much neglected. Our State laws do not require as much in this department as do the laws of some other states; but teachers who will keep fully up wnth our age will go sometimes a little beyond mere state requirements.

The writer of this record hopes that the time will soon come when the various branches of study connected with the natural world will receive in the graded schools of his county much more attention.

Of the schools named above the most rapid in its growth has been the school of Hammond. The place itself as a town, now called a city, dates back about eleven years. In 1879 a small two story building was sufficient, with its two rooms and two teachers, to accommodate all

In 1881 the population increasintr and the number of school children also, M. M. Towle, township trustee, erected a much larger two story Ijuildino-, seventy-five feet long by seventy wide, a building nearly square, on the corner of Hohman and Fayette streets. For a time three teachers occupied this building, and, the number of children increasing-, a fourth was added. Miss Ag-nes Dyer was the first principal, Floyd Truax the second, and D. McKinney the third. In the fall of 1883 seven teachers were employed, W. C. Belman, Principal, now called Superintendent. In the fall of this year, 1884, the number of teachers remains the same. Total enrollment for the last year was four hundred and fourteen. Average weekly enrollment two hundred and forty-four. Average daily attendance, two hundred and twenty-six. The total enrollment for the coming year is expected to reach nearly five hundred.

For the facts above, in regard to the graded schools, I am mainly indebted to the county Superintendent, Frank E. Cooper, and for some of the facts in regard to the Hammond school, to AV. C. Belman.

Our Sunday Schools

Paul, the jD-reat apostle to the Gentiles, once wrote to his Thessalonian brethren, " What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?" "Ye are our i^lory and joy." Combining the uninspired classic idea with the inspired classic statement, and we may well call the children of our Sunday-schools the glorious jewels in the crown of Lake.

To our public schools and to our Sunday-schools we must largely look as the great means for promoting the intelligence and virtue of the coming generation.

Faithful family training connected with these will secure this result. . And well do we know that intelligence and virtue combined are needful to perpetuate our free institutions. The true patriot will cherish the Sunday-school.