The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-03-02
4 Plea for Establishing, at EIktOn, a
First.Class Institution for Young
Men and Boys.
BY REV. A. s. VAUGHAN.


tional Institution of high order at El1ton,
all will readily admit. But it may be said
Elkton Academy ought to be such an insti-
tuition. Very true. This school has GER
tainly accomplished good work. No one
wishes to detract from its history of USE
fulness. But to affirm that Elkton Acad
envy, with its limited resources, has ever
been, or can ever be with present facilities
for doing educational work, anything more
than grammar school,, in which the clas-
sizes and the sciences, to limited extent,
may be taught, is at once to fail to under
stand what is meant by a tirst-class Insti-
ton.
This plea is in the interest of higher
order of culture than can be attained in
the circumstances in which Elkton Acad-
envy is placed. There are those, as all
know, who will oppose all progress, and
for no other reason than that
they do not wish the rising generation to
enjoy advantages not enjoyed by them
order. Why shall community rest salts
fled with condition of things in harmony
with the wants Of society fifty years ago?
IDEA OF A FIRsT-CLAss INSTITUTION.
1t may be well, before proceeding far
ther, to notice some of the characteristics
of a first class Institution. In no circum-
could it be expected that men,
unaccustomed to educational work, would
mt once see the Importance of having a
clear idea of what is meant by the express
sion,-o .frst-class Institution. What one
might consider first-class Institution, may
be regarded by another as even fifth, or
sixth rate. To comprehend the true idea,
the infinite Importance of the educational
work itself must be carefully considered.
AS matters now stand, there is compare
lively little real education in any commun-
;ty. The vast capacities of the soul are
partially ignored: by necessary conse-
Iuence, the educational work is very indis-
tinctly understood. In addition to the
want of actual knowledge as to the condi-
tons necessary in order to thorough train
ing, there is disposition to overlook the
very Utmost necessity of all sound educa-
ton.
By the phrase, frst-class Institution, is
clearly implied, THE VERY BEST 1NsTITU-
TON that the present state of Christian Gull
ture requires. This will include all the con-
ditions necessary in order to careful physi-
cal, intellectual and moral training. To
begin with the physical, there must be.
A GYMNASIUM
Ancient philosophers regarded the hu-
man body as being in itself the source of
sin, and therefore treated its physical we'll
being with contempt. Christianity recog-
nizes in this organism the temple or dwell
ing place of the immortal spirit. Christian
science, therefore, insists upon obedience
to all the laws of physical well-being. The
best Christian Institution, at the present
time, provides Gymnasium in which the
student is taught the laws which underlie
his physical strength. The graceful move
ments of the body form legitimate part
Of thorough school training.
Next in the order of culture must be
found all those means known to be neces-
sary conditions of mental training. Some
Of these may be named in the following
order
A GOOD LIBRARY.
There are those who imagine that few
books, purchased it may be very reluct-
antly, ought to be sufficient to make their
children scholars. OF course all who are
disposed to more careful reflection, know
how utterly false such notion must be.
In every first-class Institution, we'll Sc
lected Library is absolutely necessary. The
want of such a Library must be great
loss to the young men Of Elkton and of
the community. No doubt much of the
evil now said to result from a want of
more elevated character in the young men
of the age, must be traced to the want of
having cultivated in early youth the habit
of careful reading. Some are ready to say:
Genius aciU break through all opposing bar
rters. To such, it can only be replied: 1t
is not the men of genius that accomplish
gress of civilization. They may startle by
their brilliancy; it is the patient man, care
full to understand what he reads and slow
to adopt conclusions, that brings to light
gems of "purest ray serene.' A we'll Sc
lected Library of t.oo, Mree or foe Mousand
volumes in a frst-class Institution is a
power of good Of which few have any prop
er conception.
Next may be named, as being indispen-
sable necessary,
APPARATUS.
By this term is generally understood,
such mathematical, chemical, philosophi
cal and astronomical instruments, includ-
ing maps, charts, cards, di agrams, and
other appliances, needed in rider to ex-
plain, illustrate, and enforce scientific
truth. There are those who imagine, not
the wonderful advancement
of thorough teaching that any scAool- mas
ter" can teach their boys "to read aorite
and ripher.' Of course such persons know
little of their own powers
and capacities. In matters pertaining to
this world, they have had better training.
These very persons would not employ a
Jungler to lay the foundation of costly
ediice, with the hope of being able to REM
edy the evil of having bad foundation by
making the superstructure the more thor
oughly secure. Few parents realize the
infinite Importance of careful instruction
in the first years of the child's training.
This momentous subject is now engaging
the attention of the best minds Of the
world. Simple experiments, made by a
competent teacher, may serve to arouse in