KINDERGARTEN INSTRUCTION. 
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
BY MRS. ADA M. HUGHES, OF TORONTO, ONTARIO, PRESIDENT OF THE 
KINDERGARTEN CONGRESS. 
Less than half a century ago the name of the great apostle of the new 
education was one of derision. The old man whe played with the little 
children was called by the villagers ¢“ the old fool.” To-day we meet to 
honor that name as that of the prophet of a spiritual freedom which we 
have at last begun to realize. One of the most important of the many 
departments of the International Congress of Education is that of the 
conference of the followers of Froebel. In this New World we have seen 
the light of that star in the east, and have followed reverently and 
earnestly to the birthplace of divine truth and divine childhood, and seek 
for more light and clearer insight. To-day we hold out both hands in 
welcome to all who gather here. It is a great joy to take the hand of those 
who have known the immediate followers of the great apostle—those who 
nave wandered through the same paths in the fields, rested under the same 
skies, been surrounded by the same associations and local experiences. We 
say to them : Tell us of the everyday life and words of the master, that we 
may feel more deeply the inner life from which this great truth sprang 
nto material expression. 
To those who have come from across the sea, who speak the same 
language as ourselves, as well as to those of other tongues, we extend the 
welcome of members of one family, to sisters and brothers, separate- in 
space, different in customs. but one in spirit and desire. We pray that 
this conference shall be a season like Pentecost of old, when each, whether 
of our own land or the dweller beyond the sea, shall hear in his own lan- 
guage the things of the living spirit. 
Our German friends say of us in this country that we do not run or leap, 
we simply fly, and therefore we are in danger of losing sight of the solid 
foundation on which all permanent building must be based. We acknowl- 
edge our danger, and say, Give to us of your insight, and your wealth of 
personal expression of the great apostle, that our rapid action may still be 
rapid, and at the same time safe, because we have material landmarks to 
guide us. Mothers and little ones love the Mutter und Kose Lieder, but 
few educational people have felt all its marvelous power, or seen it as the 
wonderful interpretation of child growth and instructive mother-love.