Homer guardian. (Homer, La.) 1888-1890, 1889-02-22
Iomer1, La
Practical Education.
b l.. 4. TRAYL0R.

past ages, but is discoverable III
the people Of the present genera
ton. The diffusion Of knowledge,
following in the wake Of christi
anity has done much toward dist
pating those superstitious notions
which enslayed the mind Of the
.in0raNL of long ago; and yet many
groundless fears terify the ignor
ant of to-day, who have not ex
plored the course and effect Of IA
turaI phenomena, 1t will be re-
mcmbered, that during the reign
of ignorance in the past ages, 4
total eclipse Of the SUI, or OF the
moon was regarded with utmost
CONSERVATION. They believed that
the moon in eclipse was sickenlng
or dying through the influence Of
enchantment, and the people re-
sorted to the ringing OF bells,
blowing of trumpcts, etc, to break
the spell.
Juyenal lii describing q noisy
woman, wrote
"Forbear your drums and trumpcts
ifyou please,
Her voice alone the laboriny moon
can ease"
This phenomena has become 50
common, and the diffusion Of
scientific lnyestibu so potent, tlat
all these foolish notions and vain
forebodings have been relieved.
but many equally foolish opinions
are not yet banished from the
minds Of our own more favored
people, and educators have yet a
broad field for cultivation. But
We may inquire, what kind of edu
cation will dispel this ignorance
from the minds of the people? IT.
is not simply an acquaintance with
the dead languages, the sciences,
the subtleties Of metaphysics, pc
htical economy, and the theories
set forth IN the various branches
of education, taught in our schools
and colleges. that equips man Id
this war against ignorance, and
superstition. He must be a man
of original, practical thought pow
er. who will discard all theory
when it fails to stand to reason.
For absurd notions are not confn
ed to the illiterate and vulgar;
but we have many educated SIM
plctons who can trace the laws of
nature simply by The names en-
ployed by scientists, and who
would employ a faith Doctor to
stop blood or o.cure child Of
the Thrash.
In an early day, man entoE
ell with genious and knowledge
often treated as Il magician. Dr.
Bert was seized by the inqui
sition of Rome, in the sixteenth
century, because by q scientific
course of treatment he cured q
man of the gout; and the lllustri-
Gus Friar Bacon because he exper-
imently demonstrated principle
of philosophy unknown to that
age. Nor is q man whose practi-
CAL mind leads him to discard ex-
ploded theories, and worthless
customs of the past. free from sus
plcioh and censure. Let him in
sist on q practical common sense
method Of diffusing knowledge,
discarding everything which has
noe logical bearing, and not few
solves to old methods will be
aroused 10 arms against him. II
Philosophy is founded upon ex-
perimental observation, a new fund
is constantly being added to it,
and we must keep apace with the
discoveries being made year after
year by philosophers in the diff
ferent departments of science
Facts developed during the last
ten years, respecting the atmos
phere, the waters, the earth, and
animated beings, has done much
to strengthen and explain the phil
osophy Of the past; and the prac
teal teacher is like the watchmal
on the walls, eagerly catching
every ray Of new light. lie is no,
Wiling to settle down amidst tht
stale volumes Of the past, and
Parrot like, repeat over and Owe