Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1880-12-09
AGRICULTURAL.
Home Study.

II is a-great pity that there ia not
more attention given to the pursuit oil
knowledge in our mature years, which
in earlier life was considered 50 all
important. There is liberal provision
for school advantages, and no lack OF
desire for them; indeed, there seems
to DO something bordering upon =
mania for these. Black and white,
rich and poor, seem alike determined
their offspring shall have every such
privilege open to them; and yet the
moment when what we call school
days are past thereis no more thought
Of any further need Of study. This
could hardly be the case if in the
school course there had been any real
desire for knowledge awakened; and
thinking people are beginning to re-
alize that thsre rs something lacking
in the system which leaves the mind
inactive as soon ssthe propslhug pow
or ceases.
That the stcreotypsd course 20 uni
versally adopted in these days does,
in many instances, leave rs we'll de-
veloped minds, that reach for and at
tain eminencs in every branch OF
learning, IL not to be denied; 'but /
venture to assrrt that it is IN most ca
ses where there was the added inhu
enca OF intelligent parents or guar
dians.
would not for moment advocate
any more home study for those who
20 to school, but for the parents and
older memb e7s Of the family; and that
not for their own snkes alone, but for
the power it gives them to help the
younger ones. 1t is so easy for those
who know all about what the little
folks are laborfne after, by a lttl.
manifest interest in the subject and
relative suggestions, to lift them out
Of the ruts of simple drudgsry, and,
setting their own little minds in motion
TO send them back to their classes in
spirit OF inquiry wh1ch would make
Abe routine Of study of somo impor.
lance to them beyond their daily
marks or their standing in school.
The children who 60 from a home
where topics Of general interest ars
sntelligsntly discussed among the old.
ar me nbers of the family carry with
them TO the school. room some ider OF
visa! they must acquire to fit them-
selves for such championship; and
this, though not tho highest of motives
70 give them, is no mean stepping
stone to excellence in mott things.
TIE truth is that the spirit Of mod
srn convenisnces has oyerrldden
everything else, and in the new al
yustment OF affairs generally our chill
,irsn, like most things, must needS be
put through "patent process; and
we loo. fer a prime production there
from without any effort Of our own.
Our little ones are thus submitted to
The usual course Of school. both week.
day and Sunday, with full confidence
that a few years hence We wHl find
them at least on the level OF average
man and womanhood; and we are sat
ished that they are rejecting credit
upon US if their marks ard grading
are up to the standard and they figure
consprcuous y upon examination days.
1t wonld seem truly that We are thus
pampering ourselves in Incidence and
Sinking our responsibility as parents
While we are satisfied with these
things, there are philanthropic men
of eminent ability, who, having dis
covered the nadequscy Of such a
course to develop the best abilities Of
the youthful mind, are exerting them
selves to reform the present system,
and, if possible, to leave some chance
for thought and reasoning power, to
grow under it. While they are doing
this within the school, rooms, which is
the limit Of their province, We may
accomplish an equally good work by
bringing more Of thought and pains
taking to bear in the house Of the
children. Laboring people, to whom
the privileges of the present are I.
real God send for their children, prac-
.ics much self denial ip order that
they may have the full advantage Of
them; and those of us more fayorably
clrcumssanced, who do not hesitate to
make use Of what was chiefly intended