The semi-weekly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1879-1882, 1881-09-15
EDUCATION.

EUUCAilUN.
The culture of the human mind
always has been and most likely always
will be considered one of the most
important concerns Of society. There
fore education, which has for its
object, the improvement Of the INTEL
lectual powers, is subject which
demands the serious attention and the
most worthy support ofevery indiyid-
ual in the community A parent
who is sensible that his child is
rational being, endowed with faculties
susceptible of some degree of cult
walton, and is likewise conscious that
the happiness Of the child would in
a great degree be promoted by the
improvement Of those powers, would
naturally bestow much attention to
the subject. Accordingly we find,
that from the earliest ages Of the
world, wherever the means of educa-
ton have been enjoyed, few have
neglected to avail themselves of its
advantages .
The Greeks and Romans among
whom were produced such excellent
writings were most remarkably atten-
tive to the education of their children,
so much 50 that they began their
education almost with their birth.
In Sparta children were taken from
their parents at very youthful age
and educated at the public expense.
At the present day we find no less
attention paid to this great subject,
although the modes of education
adopted by the people of to-day differ
from those which were practiced in
ancient times. But however they
may differ in their modes of discipline
aud instruction, the subject of educa-
ton itself has received from all nations
that attention which its Importance
demands. Even the savage takes
care to instruct his child in the art
Of hunting and fishing, and those
branches Of knowledge which are
requisite for his welfare. But in no
country has greater attention been
paid to the subject than in this.
Here its Importance is properly
estimated, and on no subject has more
money been expended, and more tai
ent been used than 10 the advance.
ment and improvement of the cause
Of education. From the promotion
of this important subject the greatest
benefits have been derived. The
knowledge acquired by one portion
of the world has been transmitted to
another, without distinction of dis
lance or diversity Of age. But moth
ing will show the advantages of educa.
ton in stronger light, than a
contrast with the disadvantages which
arise from the want of it. A person
who has been we'll educated has the
mind an6 body so cultivated and
improved that any natural defects are
removed, and the beauties Of both
placed in so fine light that they
strike US with double force, while one
who has enjoyed no such advantage
has all his natural imperfections re-
naming, and to these are added
others which arise from bad habits
The former engages the attention of
those with whom be converses, by the
good sense he shows on every subject,
and the agreeable manner in which
he shows it. The other disgusts
every company which he enters either
by his total silence, or by the ignor-
ance and impertinence of his obser-
vations. The one raises himself to
the notice of his superiors, and ad-
vances himself to higher rank in
life. The other ia obliged to act an
inferior part among his equals in
fortune, and is sometimes forced to
seek shelter for his ignorance among
the lowest order of mankind. From
these consi derations we must rank the
cause of education among the vital
interests of mankind.
s B. ROBINSON.
South Jersey Institute.