The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-03-10
"Why Should I be Educated q!

| There are many young men and womeI
who are developing, or perhaps rathe
growing, into manhood and womanhooc
without the advantages of an education
Some of these are found as nominal student
in various Institutions, but are not bein.
educated, because they either fail TO see it
advantages or are so utterly devoid of energy
that they will not put forth the required
effort. But, by far the greater number ar,
not brought under educational influence a
all not because they have no means O
| opportunities, but TOO often, simply becaus
either they or their friends lack interest il
the matter. The question which perplexe
them is pot-"How can be educated p
| but rather, ''Wby should be educated =
1t is not the purpose of this brief article tt
attempt to answer this query specifically o.
fully, but rather to adduce some genera
reasons why each one should endeavor t.
attain the highest degree of development
possible, regardless of any special profession
OF calling.
Educa lion in its broadcast sense is both
means and an end. 1t has both a relative
and an intrinsic valne; hut the latter, un
fortunately, is too often entirely overlooked
Too many, in deciding for or against ar
education. consider only the advantages tc
be gained in material sense, the question
of lucrative positions or success in business
This, as secondary consideration, is both
legitimate and proper but there ate other
considerations which should influence each
one to strive after the broadest and highest
culture possible. 1t is the duty of man to
seek, as far as that may be accomplished, a
perfect manhood. This, however, can be
done only by developing and bringing into
subsection his various powers, physical,
Intellectual and moral, and no study from
mere mercenary motives can accomplish
this in its truest sense lie must seek truth
for its own sake, that it may elevate his
thoughts and aspirations, purify his motives
and thus bring him nearer TO the source Of
all truth. He must read the thoughts of
God as they are revealed 10 him in His
works that they may become an inspiration
to holier life, and not simply that they
may give him power 10 gain worldly pos
sessions. This is essential that one may
accomplish in full measure the object OF
his being and may attain high degree of
happiness here and hereafter. The untrain.
ed man can enjoy life and no doubt does
but the measure of that enjoyment can not
surpass the capacity of the individual to
receive and comprehend. The delicate,
sickly being can not enjoy the activities and
functions Of life in the same degree as the
strong, robust one. The most palatable
food, undigested, causes uneasiness and
suffering. The eye, accustomed to darkness,
is dazzled and irritated by the bright light
of the MONDAY sun. The unframed ear
hears, in the Hottest strains of music, moth
ing but an unintelligible medley of sounds
So too the unframed soul can not compre-
bend and enjoy in fullest measure the
beauty and truth that are revealed in nature
and science. Unless the mind has acute.
ness depth and power it will pass by the
ceaseless manifestations of Gods power
within and about itself with but superficial
notice, and will dismiss them as ordinary,
every day occurrences. The conquerors CT
Greece could but family realize the beauty
of Greecian art and literature. The rude
vandals could not admire the stately struc-
lures and grand monuments of the Eternal
City.
The mind unframed to discriminating
thought sees much less of beauty in the
growing tree than in the object founded from
its timber. The same law holds true in
spiritual things. Unless the powers of the
soul are drawn out and strengthened by
exercise, man can not en- joy, in the fullest
measure possible, his spiritual relations with
his God But not only does mans indi.
vidual well.being require that he be educat.
ed, it is also necessary TO prepare him Tor
society. No one has a right TO live for
himself alone. The world demands much
more of the young people of to-day than it
did of those of fifty, or even twenty-five.
years ago. This is an age of progress and
the dominion Of mind over matter and the
foolish idea that the race is degenerating
finds no corroboration in history. The
watchword of intelligence is onward, and he
who thinks he can be respectable and
respected member of society of these closing
years of the nineteenth century without, at
least respectable amount Of culture and
refinement will finally awaken from his
"Trip Van Wrinkle" slumbers to find that
even his most intimate friends have for
gotten him.
Parents send your sons and daughters with
strong principles, noble characters, and the
instructors Of the Friends Normal Insti-
tute" will send them back far nobler and
better educated than they came. And be
assured that every sincere young person
coming to the Friends Normal Institute"
will go away saying as did Alexander the
Great, Il owe not more TO Philip, my
father, than to Aristotle my preceptor.'
The principal ofthe school, the assistants of
the school will do just as much as you can
do, and in some things more! but the
equilibrium should be kept, 50 that the
parents and teachers conformity may work