Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1858-02-24
Ghututiunal pspurtnsnt.

TThe Ancients, who were far advanced in |
all that appertains to mental culture, We are
led to believe appreciated education properly |
IF we had no other evidence, their maxims a.
lone would clearly show that some OF them, ut
least, had a correct apprehension of the I'M
portance and advantage of Education. Plato
said: SIT is better to be unborn than untaHght;
for ignorance is the roof of misfortune
There is much truth embraced in these few
words, if they, mayhap, lack the attribute of
poetry. ssLearning is an ornament in pros
perity, refuge in adversely, and the best pro-
vision in old age" was saying of Aristotle,
and one tina. will doubtless gain the sanction
of every intelligent individual who reads it or
hears it. 1t certainly is learning that gives
polish, and ease, and interest to man in the
days of his prosperity; We look around
us and find abundant examples of its incalcu-
liable worth and usefulness when the s'winds of
adversity'' sweep DER us; and when the ''win-
ter of life'' surrounds fraIl mortality, it is
more than ssmuch fine gold and costly rubies.3
But do not understand by this that any reflec-
tions are cast upon the intelligence of the pre-
sent age, though we are decidedly of the opin-
liable to indulge in loud boasts OF the superior
intellectual attainments of sour day and gen.
eraton,'' and to bestow understandable praises
upon each other. This is wreng-it is dan
gerous. True, it is calculated to excite and
stimulate to certain extent laudable ambi-
tion, but we cannot avoid thinking that .swhen
fatterers meet, the devil goes to dinner
The Importance of Education is. doubtless,
valued too lightly nowadays. There are but
comparatively few persons who appreciate ful-
~ its benefits. The mass of mankind are sat
isfied if they know enough TO compute dollars
and cents, and calculate profit and gain Sup
pose you try an experiment. Go out and ask
every man yoU meet to aid IN 4 measure or
project to promote education. We will VEN
ture the asseveration that large proportion of
them will first inquire whether it will pay,-
what per ccntage it will realize. There are
some, it is true, who have correct views on the
subject of good and thorough education, and
these are doing much for the cause. When
we say, ssa good and thorough education" we
90 not, however, mean merely a training of
the intellect, but also the moral and physical
culture. An individual may have ever well
cultivated mind, and yet may lack the moral
training that would direct it into a proper
channel, or he may be wanting in the physical,
which would disable him from making use OF
what he knows. We know an individual in
this State, who is, perhaps, one of the best
scholars within the borders of the Common
wealth. He is what is commonly termed a
perfect shook worm.'' After an examination
by a gentleman who now occupies high Off
ciai position in the National Government, he
was pronounced paragon in intellectual at
tainments, and the opinion was expressed that
he would one day become Kent or a Story.
Yet this man, having turned his attention to
nothing else than acquiring knowledge, is re-
markable only for the great number of apples
and chestnuts which he can devour. The idea
that is desired TO be conveyed here, is-that
It is not only necessary to have children learn,
but they should also be SC qualified, by proper
physical and mora! training, that they will be
able to make good and profitable of their
knowledge, when they come to take active
part in Life's great drama.