The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-04-07
For the Columbian

INC EuuchtlOHhl flcllltleS OIL OTungcNliies
Many subjects have claimed the atten-
tion of writers, and among the most
worthy of these is Education. Man is
potentially powerful being, but real
ly this only when the latent powers of
his being are developed by a thorough
education. How we'll is the word Edu-
cation adapted to express the thought
which it is designed to communicate.
1t is compounded of the two Latin
words c, out, and duco, to lead. Edu-
cation as it were leads the latent pow
ers of man from their dormant state in
to real existence. God in his goodness
has endowed us with physical, intellec-
tual, social and moral powers. Man is
therefore complete in himself only
when these different powers of his be-
ing are developed or led forth. We
generally speak of such a man as a
whole or complete man, but if he is de-
ficient in his education he is man on
ly in part. How many of our fellow
species are deficient in the formation of
their bodies. One has lost leg, anoth-
er an arm, and another is minus an
eye These unfortunate ones are quite
numerous. They awaken our sympa-
thy. But how many more are deficient
in the development of their spiritual
being. We see many such cripples and
have looked upon them as objects Of
profound pity. My readers are un-
doubtedly all acquainted with young
manswhom we may designate as Mr.. A.
He Is of fine appearance, is in good Cir
cunlstances, enjoys good health and isa
moral young man does not swear, or
drink; and if you please does not even
roll the quid. He is possessed with all
these good qualities. But also the la.
dies think that he is not sociable. Be-
ing very bashful and his actions eX.
tremely mechanical. he is utterly help
less in society. And this deficiency in
his social training finally dooms him
an unwilling exile to bachelorhood.
A certain Mr.. b. is living a retired
life. Being quite sociable, moral, and
a very consistent member of the church
he is man of some very good parts.
And yet the old gentleman is deficient
in one very important matter, and that
is intelligence. Not being able to read
and having attended but few lectures,
he Is deprived of that good source OF
pleasure which is afforded by the read
ing of the Bible, history and periodi
calls. l doubt very much If he knows
anything about the late Franco Prussian
war and what is now being said about
him. He is not able to hold an intelli'
gent conversation with his neighbors
upon any popular topic of the day. And
this is not all, his want of intelligence
has made him the dupe OF superstition
which, you know, is the offspring OF
ignorance. He believes in many super
stitious signs, spook stories and the Wis
ibility of imaginary spectres.
We will cite the reader to one more
case of educational deficiency. Miss
c. young lady of respectable parent
age, is possessed with the natura
adornments peculiar to her sex, but Il
deficient in those more refined lady &C
complishments which are acquired only
by culture. She has the willingness tC
be sociable and entertaining, but car
not with proper grace, receive, enter
tain and dismiss company. Every
thing she does in this respect is charac
terized by splutter. Those niceties ant
delicacies VIII ich are peculiar to the re
| fined lady are wholly unpossessed by
her. She has no taste for properly adorh
ing her person with neatness and suit
ableness. Her deficiencies in arranging
and waiting on the table are quite no
ticeable. She has no taste for ornamen
: ting her home with specimens of hel
own Workmanship, or by the cultiva
! tion of beautiful flowers. And this Il
not all, she is deficient in both voca
and intrumental music, that which
gives inspiration to the mind and ava