Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-12-05

In every human intelligence there is not
only Il capacity but II possible passion for
knowledge. Happy is the man in whom
this passion is early awakened. And he
is the wise teacher and cminenly friend
who eVokes this passion. If there is to-
day one great need as to education it is an
eagcrness to learn. Parents and teachers
and friends of youth and all who care for
the educational future need to study the
arts of stimulating this passion for knowl-
edge. No helps. no surroundings, no
teachers can make scholars but every stu
dent can become a scholar The one only
condition of scholarship to-day is an eager
ness for knowledge.
The helps are abundant, excellent and
near at hand. No young mau needs to 90
far from home to get access to choice libra
ries and TO secure the instructions of supc-
rior teachers. The graded school, the
academy and the college are near by in
most parts Of our own country.
And yet there is wocfu lack of appre-
citation Of education for its own sake. Most
parents want their children to learn, but
that learning is sought with an eye to bus
mess. Beyond common reading and fair
writing and practical knowledge of fig
ures most parents do not think in the direc-
ton of education. The age is too utiitari-
an. sThe present use of a thing is regarded
as the only measure of its value. Thus
the great cndowments Of mind are used
Only to secure the feeding and clothing and
housing of the body.
There are high aud pure enjoyments of
mind and these are to be desired for our
children. 1t is of great value that young
person should intelligently traverse the
paths ofsciencc. The mental enjoyment
is exceedingly rich and very pure.
An ability to do business, to keep ac-
counts and reckon interest, is not very
complete preparation for life. If to cat
and drink and sleep and be clothed were
all of life, if we were only animals, then
mind might be ignored. The body should
be ministered unto only for the sake of the
higher ministry unto the soul.
Education should be looked upon as be-
ing sufficient reward in itself, The class
yaledctorian may die in pronouncing his
oration but he has not studied in vain or
toled for naught. We have u right to ex-
pect good work of educated men, and i'll
well educated they will do good work but
it is not u principal object of education to
place man in the foremost ranks of soci-
ETY.. Position may come to the scholar.
In the past the " literally educated have
been largely in the minority, and so u ne.
cessity has given them certain class of
positions. But suppose all the young peo-
pie of Il generation should pass through
all the schools, would their education be
1olly-an Extravaganza waste of
money and time? So far as mind is con-
cerned education is as good for the me-
chanic and farmer and day laborer as for
the teacher and doctor and lawyer and
minister. We should be glad if every
child of toll was a companion of scholars.
1t is worth much TO the man himself and
very much to society if he can do some
good thinking quite outside of his own
trcadmill path. We know u common
shoemaker who is also most uncommon
scholar. lie is authority in one branch of
natural history. And why may not the
mechanic Or farm hand or kitchen girl or
washer-woman possess and enjoy rich
stores of knowledge We believe it pos
sible. We are sure it is desirable And
when education shall be rightly apprcc-
ated it will be much moro generally
sought for its intrinsic value.
But education is expensive 1t will re-
quire years of time and an outlay of hun
dreds of dollars. But what better use can
be made of the years or the money!
Every year there are graduates
these usually rank well-who have alone
solved the money problems of an educa-
ton. 1t can be done. Hard work, self
denial, plain clothes and simple habits will
do il. No young man in health need fail
of a collegiate education unless provi-
dentially appointed to be the staff of feeble
and dependent relatives.
Now how little education can one get
along with, but how good an education
can be obtained! 1t would be a great
good to add from one to three years to the
school life of the present generation. In
stead of patiently and gladly staying in
the schools as long as possible, there is an
Impotence to get out and be doing some