L13 .M35 HARVARD UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION MONROE C. GUTMAN LIBRARY, 1868, Sept. 12. President Zeltens Jaming Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852, by SECRETARY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. PREFACE. The Massachusetts Teachers' Association owes its origin to a similar institution in Essex County. For a period of fifteen years previous to its formation, an association of teachers had existed in that part of the State, enjoying a success almost unexampled in the history of Educational Associations. Formed in 1830, a year memorable in the annals of education for the establishment of the American Institute of Instruction, its prosperity has been as signal as that of its contemporary, and it has served a period of usefulness which entitles it to enduring fame. Convinced from experience that the cause of education depended for its advancement, in a great measure, upon the associated influence of its friends, and that, in its comparatively humble sphere, their own society had subserved a highly useful purpose, some of the prominent teachers of Essex County conceived the design of founding an institution which should exert an influence in the Commonwealth commensurate with its more extensive sphere of action. Accordingly, in 1845, a circular was issued, inviting the attention of the friends of education to the subject, and proposing that a Convention should be held in Worcester. The Convention met, and the Association was formed. How far the plan has been successful in the |