Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-05-02
IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION.
PRINCEToN. n. ]. April 81, 1901.


Men are inclined 10 measure every
thing in dollars and cents. The mere
desire to make money leads many q
man into voluntary slavery, aud being
content with simply making a living
prevents the majority from ever find
ing out the clements Of power be-
queathed them by nature. Then there
is a large parasitic class whose minds
are exercised only IN schcming 10 get
through the world with as little work
as possible. Pleasure seeking is con-
sidercd the business Of lie and they
look upon the body as kind Of sponge
through which they are TO imbibe its
sweets. Their only concern is how to
enjoy themselves. To borrow a fig
ure, the universe is, virtually, TO them
but a huge trough from which to
eat: in doing which eaoh endeavors 10
yet more than the rest. This would
be laughable 10 contemplate were 1t
not 80 pitiablc.
With aims and conceptions of life,
like these, prevailing to such a great
extent, there is little wonder that so
few, comparatively, seek the advant.
ages Of a college training in their
preparation for the duties of life. or
those who do, the greater part, per-
haps, endeavor 10 make as short work
OF it as possible. Their aim is TO get
an education by some short -cut pro-
cess in order the sooner to get into
business. Then the longer time one
spends thus the more money it costs,
which is no little consideration with
the average American. lie, perhaps,
spends but three years when he should
spend six or even longer time. He
does not stop to consider that "raw
haste is q half.sister 10 delay"
This same unitarian spirit prompts,
to a greater or less extent, the placing
of higher estimate upon what are
called self-made men than upon COL
lege- bred men. 1t does not seem 10
come to mind that these are very few
compared with the great number Of
self-unmade men. Great praise is due
those who, IN the face of poverty and
other untOward circumstances, have
attained TO eminence and usefulness;
but this is not saying that they would
not have accomplished more. if they
had had the advantage of an educa-
ton. They become eminent in spite
of their lack of advantages, not be-
cause of 1t.
One end of education is TO enable
each one to find out what he is fitted
for. Thorough discipline with view
to one's particular bent, will best pre-
pare him for his work in life. Then
lie careful cultivation of tile heart
which is really the work Of u life
time-is the indispensable preparation
for life itself. Even the drill Of the
mind, should he only in order to its
continued development. Said Horace
Greeley "whcn man ceases hard study
he ceases to grow and is doomed"
All this involves Standardization.
It means that man should be master
of all his powers OF body and mind.
1t means an intelligent appreciation OF
the meaning of life and the value and
dignity of work. This is the only
wav to true liberty. There could be
no bondage more eXactlng and fatal
than living merely TO crafty ont's
own appetites and selfish impulses.
When a man has all his instruments
of power. FURNISHED and well IL hand
he is ready for life wherever he may
be. The aim of all education. from
the home TO The COLI sc and even be-
yond, should he to make, not money
makers, but men. The chief thing 10
be sought is character rather than
position. There is no legitimate work
that is, in itself, degrading. Not ,rhdt
one does hut how he does il, is the
chief concern. There is no sigmii-
canoe added to life in merely attaining
10 a high position or having great
wealth. AS some one has said "the
fraction OF life can he increased in
value mol so much by increasing your
numeralor as by lessening your de-
nominalor." Life is more than living.
Said Agassiz, who was among the
leading scientists Of his day: II
haven't time to make money"
Thomas Carlyle is credited with say
ing. "The hell of the modern English
soul is the terror Of mot succeeding
of not making money or fame, or some
other figure in the world-chiefly Of
not making money" Aud IN words
which came from divine lips we are
enjoined TO seek first the kingdom Of
God (Which is within you) and, His
righteousness with the assurance that
s'sll things shall be added" The only
true sncce.s is o worthy character.
To get an education in this its true
sense, requires time. II also requires
money, but This not so much Us deter
mination. In this dsy Of higher in
siituiions Of learning there is usually
no excuse for any young man or wo-
man, OF good constitution, growing
up without the always-availahle ad-
vantage OF a thorough college training.