The Red Cloud chief., 1884-07-18

From the number and character Of
commencement exercises by the
various colleges and educational insti-
tutions of the land, it would seem that
amid the constant and absorbing ex-
elements of political and financial
circles the calm. intellectual life Of the
school-room and the college'has moved
on undisturbed. Each yea witnesses
its quota Of work done in the way OF
educational training and discipline. and
each year a certain number Of gradu-
ates are sem out into the world duly
stamped and sealed with the official in
sigma OF collegiate authority. To those
who view these educational processes
only at a distance, the work. performed
may seem like mere artificial routine or
a humd:um exercise that possesses little
practical value, but if these skeptics
would examine the intellectual life OF
the pupils at the beginning Of 8 n educa-
tional course, and then again at its
close, they would discover that, in spite
Of all natural obstacles or inherent
deficiencies Of method. there has
been good. Substantial progress
made in intellectual growth and cult
ure- 1t should always be remembered.
in connection with educational work.
that the process of mind building does
not differ materially from other kinds
of building. There must be. first the
slow, patient laying OF the foundations
underground, and then the erection OF
the visible structure stone by stone, q
little more tomorrow, and 8 on from
day to day, until finally the edifice
takes on form. shape, symmetry,
beauty, durability. value and perma-
hence. The gathering and cementing
into conference and utility the materi-
ais Of knowledge and mind culture is
really the work Of a life time. aud must
be carried on by slow, patient observa.
ton and study, year after year. The
gain at times will be hardly percept-
ible, bat the total and final results viii
show that the tides of life. rs they have
ebbed and flowed, left constantly be-
hind them little deposits of golden ex-
p~erience and philosophic truth, until
these accumulated intellectual acquisi-
tions become at last real and solid edu-
cation and erudition.
AS in the natural evolution of life
thought must precede intelligent action.
so the possession of mental power and
ability must 60 before any great success
or achievement in the worlds practical
affairs. 1t does not matter SO much rs
some think how this mental power is
gained, although the experience of the
ages declares that the drill of the school
room is the best method for ordinary OF
average minds; but it must be gained
somehow. Brain-power and brain cult
ure is the secret of organizing and ex-
ecutive efficiency; it masters details.
grasps and co~mprehends fundamental
principles, tightens or loosens the money
strings Of the world. and keeps in mo-
ton the myriad wheels OF industry
and commercial enterprise. To the act
i've, stirring, business man. engrossed
with mercantile or mechanical activi-
ties, it may appear that there is no other
life but that of practical motion il the
pursuit of some material aim and end,
but such n conclusion would he grossly
erroneous. There is a life Of thought
entirely apart from practical action of
any kind, and this life, passed usually
in silence and seclusion, generally ante
dates all the snowy and brilliant results
of subsequent history or personal
achievement. To the philosophic ken
this tangled web of human events re-
solves itself into something like lines Of
regularity, and amid seeming chaos the
potency of laws and underlying forces
is observed working out certain pre-
destined and inevitable results. Thus
human life and human activities be-
come orderly and significant. and we
gain an insight into the march of prog
ress which becomes by expansion and
classification the scholars philosophy of
history.
- About the only danger to true edu-
catiOnal work in schools and colleges is
the tendency to grow stereotyped and
fOsSilized in the course of instruction
given from year to year, rs though there
could he nc change for the better. But
the evil is being rapidly n~eutralized by
conforming the curriculum to the de-
mands OF modern life, and by placing
men in control of these institutions who
keep themselves 5 ,uarcly abreast of the
onward march of ideas and events. 1t
is only in this way thar the schools can
maintain or increase their efficiency and
power. But by so doing. their yearly
work and exhibitions of progress will
not only continue to delight their sup
porters and patrons, but be a source of
equal satisfaction to the great army of
outside friends and well-wishers who
thoroughly believe in the value of gen.
uine education and who are glad 20 note
every movement looking toward an in
crease of effectiveness in educational
work Chicago journal