The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-07-07

ADVANTAGES OF ASSOCIATION IN THE PROMO
TIoS OF EDUCATION.
The essayist on this subject being absent,
several gentlemen were called on and eX-
cused themselves. :.
Brown University, spoke or the grea.
advantages of comparing methods. He did
not believe in blindly following the methods
of others. Each institution and each pro-
fnssor can best use his own methods. But
we come here with a desire to get and carry
away with Us the experience and wisdom OF
others. II they had at the North anything
that was good, they wished to give 1t TO the
brethren here and so they wished to carry
away the many good things which they
He smoke of the good to come Of the
ninolinp of brethren Of the two sections.
The brethren OF the North had been cour-
teousIy and kindly received here, and they
would be glad to welcome southern breth-
rem there.
Rev. DR.. Reynolds, of South Carolina,
thought that one great advantage or ms
meeting was the mingling of men from the
sections and the comparison OF views.
He alluded N the discussion of yester.
day. and spoke of the very admirable spirit
shown by the brethren from the North. he
wanted the two sections to know each
other. and this could be best accomplished
nv such meetings rs these.
Rev. DR.. Parker. Of Washington, replied
to what had been said by DR.. Reynolds. He
appreciated the misapprehenslon That natt
existed between the sections but ne hoped
that this was passing away, anu these meet
ings would greatly help us to see eye to eye.
lie had wide opportunity of observing the
condition of things from the Potomac TO
the Gulf. and he desired to speak OF the
arc.t courtesy with which he bad been
everywhere treated. .,
Professor q. L. Mason, Of Columbian
College Academy, spoke of the very treat
advantage of this Convention, as liking the
metcs and bounds of the academy and the
college. He had now learned how to do"nd
| an academy, and keep out htt!e Chartey,
until he is large enough. He also spoke of
the advantages of seeing and getting ac-
nuainted with these educators from all
narts of the country. He had taught
tirpcnc's ANALYSIS all his life, and was now
yIld to meet and know him.
| DIR. Curry called out Rev. DR.. 5. :. Cut
ting. the originator of the educational COM
mission.
DR.. Cutting spoke of the educational
commission under which these conventions
have been held. 1t was unique body,
consisting of about thirty gentlemen. VINO
paid expenses without calling on The lie.
nomination ut large.
lie gave an interesting sketch OF Inc great
Gathering ut the convention at btonklyh
last wear. and OF the happy influence of this
md The local conventions since held in
forming a public sentiment in the dcnom-
nation in i:vor of the highest standard OF
education.
He believed that there was great work
to be done, not simply in building up exist,
ing institutions, but in forming hcalthful
public sentiment I'LL through the country. e..
lie wanted that the States should all be
stirred up TO Il generous rivalry in the pro-
motion OF Christian education, and ne be-
Iirrcd that this association would Dear Il
most important part in bringing about this
grand result.
He wanted another national educational
meeting, and suggested Philadelphia as the
place.
He thought that the influence Of such a
would reach not only all parts
of our own denomination, but would eX-
.end, also, beyond the limits Of our own
lines.
RELATION OF SCIENCE TO COMPLETE EDUCA-
TIoN.
The order Of the day was announced to
be the address of Rev. DR.. Alvah Uovey,
Of Newton Theological Seminary, Massa-
chuSetts.
The reputation Of this gentleman as one
of the most distinguished and successful
educators i'll the country made the Col'ven-
ton very anxious to hear him, and lie vas
listened TO with profound attention anu
deep interest. The address abounded with
beautiful illustrations, and Sparkled with
gems of thought and beauties of dction. OF
" hich the following abstract, tor which
only we have space, gives only very i'm
perfect idea: -
The topic of this paper was the relations
of science to complete education. After
stating that afull and satisfactory discussion
of the theme would require careful analy-
sis Of the various powers and SUSCEPTIBLE
ties of man, and then an examination OF the
influence which the pursuit Of each great
branch of learning has upon these powers,
and SO upon the complete education OF the
man. the author of the paper selected for
comparison. as to their disciplinary and ed
ucational value, the physical sciences, and
the ancient language of Greece and Rome.
ought more time to be given In the college
to natural science than to the classics? Or,
ounbt the natural sciences TO be suffered to
exclude the classics from the regular curr7-
culun, of college studies:
Assuming that the latter question ought
To ne answered in the negative. two arSu-
ments i'll favor Of giving the hrst place In IL
course Of liberal study to science, were eX-
amined--viz LIST. That the sciences are
particularly attractive to the youthful mind,
iffording an infinite variety OF facts, phe-
nomena to the inquisitive intellect, keeping
the curiosity of the pupil ever awake, aud
leading him to more vigorous mental eXer-
ton than linguistic inquiries arc able to Sc
cure.
This argument was deemed unsatisfac-
tory for two reasons. The youthful mind
has q natural tendency to language, and
finds enough to stimulate curiosity in the
phenomena of new language, especially if
it be one so intrinsicaly noble and peculiar
us that of Greece or that Of Rome. More
over, the value of q study for discipline is
not to be measured altogether by its power
to attract the mind. The reading of fiction
may be peculiarly interesting to our youth,
but its educational power is more than
questionable. 1t was noticed
Cd. that science is said to unite the ad-
vantages of utility and attractiveness. The
knowledge of the natural sciences is of
great service to educated men in the work
of life, and such studies ought to hold the
first place, as do most, other things being
equal, to furnish young men with the in
formation they will need in life. 1t was admit
ted by the writer that this argument is not
without force. The principles Of natural
science have been so largely applied to the
industries and acts OF modern Lie as 10 give
them certain claim to precedence on tne
ground OF utility. But the primary o2Jee.
it must be the development Of manhood,
fine formation of character, ana this
and is, ON the whole, best secured
Nv st1Idy which has no CONSCIOUS
r uy soe to pecuniary results. In favor
Of assigning to the classic tongues the first
Mace i'm a course of liberal education IL was
paw ~ :" 10 thp mt