The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-05-09
PORTABLE EDUCATION.
That's What DR.. Little Calls the
University Extension Idea.
Last Evenings Address Before the Con-
gregational Club by the President of
the Boston Club-The Permanent Fac
tors of the Educational Problem

COrS OI Tic GuuCdblOuhk GT0Ulem.
The May gathering of the Congrcga-
tional Club at the Preble House last
evening was the last for the season, and
everything combined to render it one of
the pleasantest as we'll. There was more
than the average attendance, over 100
being present, including many ladies.
The name of John E. Warren of Cum
berland Mills. was proposed for member
ship. Mr.. Harry T. Harmon gave pleas
ure by his singing. The speaker Of the
evening was Rev, DIR. Arthur Little,
president of the Boston Congregational
Club, whose theme was s'The Perma-
nent Factors of the Educational
Problem" He said:
We are in an age that fairly bristles
with educational questions. The whole
subject is a debate. These inquiries
touch every part from the kindergarten
to the university. Some new things ap-
pear in almost every college curriculum.
Innovations are not always improve
ments. We should regard fundamental
principles. Impracticable schemes
should be avoided. Thirty years have
| witnessed marvellous revolutions. There
has been immense improvement. Among
the innovations it is noticeable that now
there are 80 learned professors where
| formerly there were but three. 1t must
be admitted. say it with regret, that
the classics have lost their prestige.
Another change touches the relation
of the sexes. The old idea regarded
woman as inferior to man, 1t had been
urged that she could not endure ex-
tended study. This is all changed. Co.
education is the watchword of the hour.
The sister demands opportunity for con-
less the brother looks out, she will take
more than he does.
He would be a bold prophet VIII o
would predict the outcome of this higher
education.
Formerly the classes took the lead,
| now the modern sciences are pre- eminent.
Some colleges offer between 175 and 200
courses Of study. The student is
hidden to choose. Nothing furnishes
greater attraction than large number of
'soptionals." Formerly the faculty Sc
lecteI the studies; now it is largely in
the hands of the pupils. Somebody has
said of Harvard that prayers are now
optional, while base ball is compulsory.
OF course this wide latitude develops
specialists.
One of the last utterances of Bishop
Brooks was to the effect that college
students are lacking in higher enthusi-
asm, are over critical, and indulge in a
cynical temper and strain.
This is true. 1t is getting not to be
good form to be enthusiastic except over
a boat race.
The most vague and intangible of all
the new methods is the university extern
sion movements portable education,
served like milk at the door, or vegeta-
bles from a cart. But the best change is
that in methods of teaching. 1t has be-
come an art. Teachers are taught how
to teach. Normal training is valuable.
The teaching force in our country is
vastly superior now to that of half a
century ago. Methods are less artificial.
the true induction method is now being
realized. Teachers are coming into close
contact with scholars. Both now regard
each other as human. Formerly they
were arrayed against each other. Now
you find teachers who admit their falh-
bility. Oral examinations, in place of
written ones, have done much for the
progress Of students.
III But there are still unsolved problems.
There is a foolish rivalry among our col
leges to introduce new systems. Such
is the omnipotence of a fad In the
midst OF this racing, hurrying progress
it is well to take our bearings, and dis
cover the trend of things. 1t is yet to
be demonstrated if recent experiments
are going to produce The best kind of
manhood.
Another factor is the Limitation as to
time and capacity. The length of the
human life is about the same as ever.
What can be done in this limited time?
There'll never be any more hours in a
day. What is done must be done be-
tween IA to "a. Every moment is valu-
able. All the wisdom of the ages is nee
essary to make the best use of those ten
years, for they determine the future.
The student himself least knows how to
improve them. Pupils are in the grasp
of this changelessslimitation. The dan
ger is one of encouragement to the dull,
over excitement to the bright and over
work for all. 1t is not a question of how
much each little cup shall hold. We
must remember that our boys and girls
have bodies. We must not forget their
limitations.
What they can do must be decided by a
fourth element-the end of education.
This is the decisive factor in the whole
question. Nothing can be settled as to
courses of study until the end is clearly
determined.
The ultimate end is not to make
preachers or teachers or doctors or law
yers OF scholars even. Not but what
these are honorable callings. But it is not
the ultimate end to enable men to 'sget
on in the world. This accounts for
many modern methods and devices. I've
observed the prominence given in alumni
reunions to the attachments of the differ
emit men.
That's not the end. 1t seems as if we
were bringing the thing down to the pure
money basis of helping man to get on.
If he does that he is all right. Time was
when men labored for God and
humanity. l don't say it ism tinow. But
the other side gets good deal OF empha-
sis.
Tho ,,1t;Y,, oto o-d 81 - * +,o;, AZ