Imagens da página
PDF
ePub

But our
He was

scholar; and, sir, most diligently did he seek to know the best means and methods of education, and to put those means and methods into operation. I have heard the remark made of him, that he was not an ambitious man, for if he was he would not consent to be a teacher, when he might occupy a high and prominent position in any relation of life. brother had better views of life than his critics. ambitious. He was ambitious to do good. He was ambitious to do the greatest amount of good to the greates number. Hence he chose the noble, charitable employment of teaching. He was ambitious, sir, to teach a good school; and how successfully he accomplished that purpose, the Hancock School, Boston, testifies. That school to-day is a monument worthy of the memory of that man, more precious, more enduring, than brass or marble. It is no disparagement of any school to say, that the Hancock School, under the guidance of his masterly hand, has been second to no school in New England, our country, or the world.

Mr. Allen was a model teacher. In many branches of education he had no superior, and few equals. Although his name may not stand high on the list of fame, or be reckoned among those whom the world calls great, and whom men delight to honor, yet if a man's life is to be estimated by the good he has done, and what he has accomplished for others, few names will stand higher than that of our departed brother.

Mr. Allen was not a mere school-master. His sympathies went beyond the school-room, and embraced mankind. He took a lively interest in the elevation of our profession. He became a member of this Institute in 1836. For nine years he was one of the corresponding secretaries; and for the last six years, one of the vice-presidents. He was always present at the meetings of the Institute when his health would permit; but for the past two or three years he has been unable

to attend. We shall miss his form here, in the future meetings of this society; but let us, brethren of the society, cherish his memory, emulate his virtues, and strive to inherit his conscientious devotion to duty, in all the relations of life, social, religious, and political.

Mr. Allen's opinions were respected. He made friends, and he kept them. His pastor in speaking of him says, that embracing with all his heart the system of evangelical truth, and delighting in theological research, he was a valuable friend to the minister of the gospel; and in the prayer-meeting, the conference-room, and the Bible-class, he was an intelligent and instructive expounder of the truth. He was in the Church of God a valuable and efficient member. He was ever, while I knew him, a steadfast, uncompromising friend of the rights of the poor and the ignorant, of whatever color or race. He believed, effectively and actively, that man was created with "inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." He took, sir, a lively interest in the affairs which now agitate our country. Just before he closed his eyes in death, calling me to his bedside he said, "Brother Mason, I know the North will succeed. I know it; I feel it. Although I may not live to see it, yet I know the North will succeed in this struggle, for God reigns. Although,” said he, "your prayers and mine we may not live to see answered, yet I know we shall succeed. I know that every yoke shall be broken and the oppressed go free, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it." He lived, sir, the life of a Christian, and died as only the Christian can die; and he has gone to receive from the Great Teacher the rich reward of a life well spent, that of "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Mr. Philbrick. It seems to be my melancholy privilege to second these resolutions also, which have been presented in respect to my much-esteemed and lamented friend, Mr. Allen.

It has been my privilege to enjoy his acquaintance and his friendship for a very long period. My acquaintance with him commenced as far back as 1845, when I entered the service of the city of Boston as a public school teacher, side by side with Mr. Allen, who had served in the same capacity already for quite a number of years. Ever since that time I have enjoyed his acquaintance and his friendship; and I would, sir, indorse every word of commendation and of eulogy which has been so eloquently pronounced here on this occasion. Indeed, it would be almost impossible to represent the character and services of Mr. Allen in too favorable a light. There is one point to which I might perhaps allude before taking my seat, and that is his devotion to the profession of teaching. He felt that he owed a debt to his profession. He felt that it was incumbent upon him to do what he could for the advancement of the interests of teachers, for the good name of teachers, for the reputation of teachers; to advance their happiness, their usefulness, their respectability; and whenever any services were required for this end, within his sphere of action, Mr. Allen was never found wanting. He did what he could by his pen, by his voice, by his purse, by his presence, whenever persons came together to promote the cause of education and the interests of the profession of teaching. This was a peculiarity of Mr. Allen. It was one of those traits that deserve special mention here; and I believe that when Mr. Allen, who had occupied the place of principal of a large school in Boston, numbering from six to eight or nine hundred pupils, left the service, there was no one who had been associated with him as a fellow-teacher, no one connected with the School Committee, who did not lament his death, who did not feel that the city of Boston, as well as the cause of education generally, had sustained an irreparable loss. They felt that he had filled the post which had

been assigned him- a responsible and difficult post most acceptably and with great ability; and that he had labored in season and out of season for the good of the children placed under his care. If you could have been present, my friends, on that solemn occasion when the last tribute of respect was paid to his remains, you would have seen the effect of his character and his services upon the community in which he lived. We saw there his brethren of the profession, the members of the School Committee, his pupils past and present, the parents of his pupils, all with the tenderest regard, with the highest respect for the character of Mr. Allen. He has left a character and a name worthy to be imitated and to be honored.

Mr. Hagar. I do not feel, sir, that I ought to allow this occasion to pass without myself saying a word in regard to Mr. Allen. I suppose no person present knew him so long as I did. I had the honor and the privilege of being one of his first pupils. In December, 1836, there came to the little village of Newton Lower Falls, in Mass., a very young man, just from Yale College. He had not completed his course of study; but feeling under the necessity of obtaining the means to continue his studies, he came to our little village, and commenced teaching our district school. He had then had no experience; but I can say, that, from the first, Mr. Allen was a noble and successful teacher. I know that from the youngest to the oldest pupil in that school, Mr. Allen, although young and inexperienced, was not only respected, but beloved; and I speak the simple truth when I say, that no teacher ever left that little district school who is so lovingly remembered as Mr. Allen. It was my privilege to know him from that time until his death, and during all that period he always stimulated his pupils to do what they could; and whenever he saw, or thought he saw, an opportunity for any of his

pupils to do more than is ordinarily done, he urged them to do it. I shall never forget one day, when Mr. Allen said to a classmate of mine and to myself," Boys, I want you two to go to college." The word "college" was a large word in our minds, and the idea of going to college was a great idea; but the word once said, the idea once suggested, was carried into action. One of those boys is now a representative in Congress from the city of Boston; the other is glad to pay this tribute to Mr. Allen.

The resolutions were then passed; and, on motion of Mr. Hagar, the Institute adjourned, "to devote the remainder of the afternoon to cultivating the social affections."

EVENING SESSION.

Met according to adjournment, the President in the chair. A most able, interesting, and useful lecture was given by Rev. E. B. Webb, of Boston; after which, adjourned to nine o'clock Thursday morning.

THURSDAY MORNING.

The Institute was called to order at nine o'clock. S. W. Mason in the chair.

Prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Newcomb, of Beaufort, S. C.

On motion of Mr. Sheldon, the subject, "Should Examinations be conducted by the Teacher or the Committee?" was taken up, and discussed by Messrs. Smith, Hagar, Morely, and Harkness.

« AnteriorContinuar »