The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1884-06-12
nItu of Indictment.

study of these languages is menta!
discipline that first requisite to all
intellectual progress.
If the study of these languages
went no further, than to serve as a
means of disciplining and training
the mind in correct thinking and
speaking, they would be worthy of
the distinguished place they now oc-
cupy in higher education.
| But this is only step to some
thing higher. The ancient langua-
ges in their structure, their
thoughts, and in the imagery which
their literature embodles, are bet
ter fitted than the modern for train
ing the intellect, the feelings and
the tastes.
As consequence the old clas
steal training is the best prepara
tion for the intellectual work of
modern life !; the best corrective of
lis injurious influences, and there
fore not an educational failure. In
this special training, 1t must not be
forgotten. that the student is gain
ing an insight into language in
general.
The knowledge of language as an
instrument ef thought, can hardly
he over estimated.
Thought and language are ever
acting and reacting upon each
other. Our own language is deri-
we'd largely from the Latin and
Greek; and to HIM who has never
studied them, great part of our
own language and its BEAUTIES,
must forever be mystery.
But thus far, we have discussed
the Latin and Greek as thought ex
pressions.
There is still something higher.
Latin and Greek speech are also
gateways to the Romnn and Greek
learning The Roman and Greek
thought, through the products be-
queathed to pos!erity, exert a potent
influence over the civilized world
to- day.
In Latin we find the very foun-
dations of the church and the law.
| Without a knowledge of the
Roman influence, all history of the
Middle Ages would be an entire
blank.
Great thoughts and deeds are
constantly repeating themselves IN
succeeding generations and thous-
ands Of good agencies and princi-
plies which moved and governed
the Roman world, repeated o-day
and made of practical and every
day use. So that our wisdom and
strength, and beauty of to-day, are
only the same old principles cloth
ed in the form of modern ideas.
The grand deeds of old, as told in
the classics, when dug out of the
original in all of its purity, inspire
to action even to-day.
There is q grandeur, myster
ious influence, a charm lnexplica-
ble, in the study and mastery of
these languages, that somehow
lifts us above the ordinary routine
of life, and sets in motion the
mighty machinery of thought, and
makes US a higher order OF beings.
The Latin and Greek are called
dead languages; but they are not.
There is breathed into them a liv-
ing soul. They are the bright bow
that spans the dark clouds of the
Middle Ages. They form golden
chain that binds the ancient
civilizations to the modern, and by
contact with them, the soul is
qulckened. and the mind and heart
receive culture deep and lasting
Religion owes its influence to day
to the proofs of its divine origin
which are preserved through the
mediums of these languages.
Without them, the struggle Of
the early church would be forgot
ten. The story of the Babe IN the
manger at Bethlehem not much
better founded than fable.
1t will not do to rely upon the
translatiops which now exist and
cut us off from the original. A;trans-
latlon is a mere second hand medi-
UNI. The human mind loves to
drink at the source of knowledge
and discover and enjoy for ITSELF
the beauties of language. As
proof of its value, it is only neces
sary to say, that the New Testament
has again been carefully translated
from the original languages, in or
der to meet all objections of infdels
and unbelievers. When the skeptic
points with ridicule at the gospels,
it is on'y necessary to confront him
with the original languages and his
cease.
oh no! 1t will not do to discard
them. Modern intelligence will
object. Future generations will
thank us for keeping alive the
great avenues of information Nine
ty nine out of fevery hundred men,
who have risen to eminence in any
of the yocations of life. have been
scholars. If you ask proofs
point you to the pulpit, the bar, !
the legislative bodies, the doctors, ]
the scientist, the poets, the literary,
men. and to al other callInss of
life, as illustrious examples of what
the study of Latin and Greek has
lone, and still does for mankind.
Farewell Virgil, Caesar, Horace t
and Homer Cicero and Demos t
themes, adleu! a last farewell to all
The magnifcence Vt the Roman and S
Greek empires You and your treas i
lres are to locked UP from our view !
and placed on the list of forbidden e
;hings! We are to confine ourselves !
@ the modern Is this to be? Oh, i
10! 1t is but dream. These grand !
have gained so firm a I
lold upon the hearts of al! nations |
md are so Jevered by all advocates ]
If higher education. that they will q
,e studied, learned aud loved, un-
ii the sun ceases to rue the day.
(Negativc.)