The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-12-25
and Alfred in England, revived and en-

and Alfred in England, revived and en-
couraged learning and schools. Durisg
the twelfth and thirteenth centuries
there were established in Europe twen-
ty-three Universities, but even at this
time education was confined almost ex-
clusively to the priests and the sons Of
the nobility. The education Of women
was very limited-even in the monastic
institutions they were taught little or
nothing. A writer of the thirteenth
century defines the education of woman
as knowing how to pray to God; to
love man; to knit and to sew" 1t Is
from the reformation, when that dark
pail which had so long enveloped the
human mind began to be lifted off, that
popular education may be dated. 1t is
truly a child of the reformation. Luther
saw the Importance of "intellectual
culture among the people, and
in 1923, drew up plan OF
studies for the protestant schools
of Germany. John Knox, during the
same century, established schools for
the people in Scotland. With the spread
of the Reformation, the cause Unpopular
education continued steadily to advance.
What is the best method for the har-
moneous and complete development of
the mind became question OF the
first Importance, and men of the most
profound scholarship and brilliant tai
ent, among whom were Milton, Locke
and Rosseau, turned their attention to
this subject. AS consequence, many
systems arose. What system is the
best is a question still open to debate.
The first movement in behalf OF
thorough popular education began in
the early part of the present century.
In 1909 Prussia enforced the law which
had long been on her statute books,
compelling every child from the age of
seven to fourteen to attend school. This
has made the Prussians the most gener-
ally educated people i'll the world. Their
schools derive their support directly
from the crown. The French establish
ed a governmental free school system
in 1888, similar to that of Prussia, but
not compulsory. The English free
school system is denominational. AS
sistance is rendered by the Government
when needed. The "Pilgrim Fathers"
fully appreciating their Importance, es-
tablished schools and supported them
through all the vicissitudes of
their own trying times and
to Massachusetts, or Connecticut,
which is "mooted question,
belongs the honor of establishing the
first free schools on this continent. The
free school system was early adopted by
New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and other
States. For some time there was lack
of interest. The system seemed not to
answer the purposes for which 1t was
established. In 1917, however, began
what has been termed "revival of ed
ucation." The people began to awake
to the importance of the subject.
Schools have been established for the
instruction and training of teachers.
Institutes and teachers associations
have been formed, and journals devoted
exclusively to education are published.
With enlightenment, has come improve
ment, and we have now common
school system, of which we may be justly
proud. That it is susceptible OF lm-
provement we will not deny; but the
spirit is abroad that will make the i'm
provement, and surely there is no other
interest which deserves more attention
from us as n people, than our common
school system of education. To it we
owe, in great measure, our prosperity
pends in a great measure, what we will
be in the future. DELTA.