The Bye-Laws Alexander Twilight wrote for the Orleans County Grammar School.

For this week’s Twilight Tidbit, we will look at the bylaws Alexander Lucius Twilight wrote for the Orleans County Grammar School. Twilight did not believe these bylaws were necessary for running the school but he was pressured to create them by the member of the school board who wanted a written set of rules.

The bylaws showcase Mr. Twilight’s educational philosophies, particularly on the ideas of education and religion. For example, number seven states “The Principal himself, or by proxy, is required to conduct such religious exercise in this school, as is practiced in kindred institutions.” In this section, he is giving himself, as the principal, control over the students’ worship practice.

Since Mr. Twilight believed that students’ education comes before worship, he would have been able to tailor church services to the needs of the school and the students’ study habits. If you read the bottom closely, you will notice that Mr. Twilight made sure to allow himself the ability to change the rules whenever he deemed necessary: “These rules are to be enforced according to the discretion of the Principal.”

This allowed him the ability to follow these rules as loosely as he wanted. A copy of the bylaws is currently on display at our Alexander Twilight exhibit. The original text of the bylaws follows below.

BYE-LAWS

FOR THE

ORLEANS COUNTY GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

FIRST.—The school shall be assembled, on each day of school, at nine o’clock A.M., and closed at 12 M.; re-assembled at half past one P.M., and closed at the discretion of the Teacher.

SECOND.—Wednesday afternoons, Composition and Declamation are required alternately of each gentleman of suitable age and character; and of each lady, Composition and the reading of a selection of her own Composition or from other author—all exhibited before the School.

THIRD.—No scholar is allowed to interrupt or disturb another during the hours of study or repose, unless on business of absolute necessity, which is required to be closed as quick as practicable.

FOURTH.—Punctual attendance on all the requisitions of the school is enjoined as indispensable.

FIFTH.—All the members of this school are required to treat each other with due respect, and observe the strictest rules of modesty and decorum in all their intercourse with each other.

SIXTH.—The students of this institution are required to attend public worship on the Sabbath, at such place as the Principal usually attends, unless parents or guardians (or students of suitable age to select for themselves,) choose that the attendance be elsewhere.

SEVENTH.—The Principal himself, or by proxy, is required to conduct such religious exercise in this school, as is practiced in kindred institutions.

EIGHTH.—These rules are to be enforced according to the discretion of the Principal.

BROWNINGTON AUGUST 14, 1846.