Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-04-18
Practical Education.
Communicated

''He that sritteth against the wind, spitte,h in
his own face"
Our business in life is to learn how to
use the forces of nature about or impinging
upon us, so that our faculties may be
unfolded and thus enabled to impart prac-
tically the universal lesson that nature
teaches, which may be summed up in the
one word, reciprocity" as Confucius
taught more than two thousand years ago;
| without the employment of which no just
distribution can be made of the enioyments
or goods of life. We are commanded by
| this principle to search cut and impart such
| things as are necessary 10 the present con-
| dition of the learner, in the order of
| the unfolding of the body and mind.
| Science has opened the way by
showing that light, heat electricity,
| things known. are produced by modes OF
motion. 1t is then 10y the effect of m6tion
that we practically know and interpret all
things about US, If we study the form of
the motion of the wind we may learn how
to take advantage Of its use in the distribu-
| ton of the products of Tie world, and from
such study learn TO know and use other
! forms of force, as nature can only proceed
| by reciprocal action. Thus we find u direct
method of procedure in education. We
cannot obtain true knowledge from read
ing exclusively. but must come in contact
| with things in order 10 get q true image OF
that which we wish to know. Thus may
| be discovered the use of large collections of
the products and goods of the world
in museums, to be used in practical study
as educators with an effect too great to be
measured. Examine the history of the
museum, and schools attached, founded
about 300 years B. c. by Ptolemy Softer, at
the city OF Alexandria, and note their in
| tluence on succeeding ages, acting largely
| upon the present, and no doubt VIII con-
| tinue as long as time may be useful TO man.
| But let us not spend too much time with
| the anCients but rather try to understand
the things about Us, pressing for recognition
at the opening of every door. There are
many useful things that may be known by
examining the machine shops, mills,
| depots of agricultural machines, and gen.
eral traders about US. 1t is not a new
idea that children should learn to do
those things which they ought to practice
| when they become men and women. This
| idea has been slow OF growth but from its
activity to-day, there is promise Of an
abundant harvest Mankind are prone 10
| look for help great way off, even when
| the elements best suited for their purpose
are nigh, within. and about them. a shin
ing example of the methods of teaching
theory and practice together may he found
in our midst, unfolding the physical, moral,
social, intellectual, and economical facul-
ties, and stimulating love Of the study OF
science and art; affecting all that come
within its influence, IN degree, according
with their present condition; a thorough
examination of which, will abundauly re-
| W learn m n
mize time and labor, in the process of edu-
| cation Nature has no prejudice against
| individuals. or classes, in her processes of
| education, but proceeds with her purpose,
using the strongest and most active power
at hand, in accordance with the universal
law governing all growth.
Sacramento, April &c. 1885.