Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-18
SUNLIGHT OF EDUCATION.
Mr. Blumenthal Lectures Before the
Young Mems Hebrew Association.


Young Mems Hebrew Association.
Mr.. Joseph Blumenthal OF New York city
iectured last night at Eighth Street Syna-
gogue, under the auspices OF the Young
Mems Hebrew Association President Simon
Lyons introduced the lecturer as a man who
TOOK a deep interest in the associations Of
young Hebrews and as the ex-president OF
the New York Young Mems Hebrew Associ-
alton. The title of the discourse was the
Sunlight of Education" Mr.. BlumenthaI
said that although the local association was
young. 1t would exert a great and far-reach-
ing influence, and should be generously sup
ported by the Hebrew public of Washing
ton. He adjured Hebrew parents to have
their sons join. The lecturer said that those
VINO dwell In cities have but little knowledge
OF the vast and wonderful work of the sun
hight; have but little appreciation for the
penencent and beauteous power II exerts:
and In an equal degree there are people who
90 not realize the value of education-dwell-
ers In the city of materialism, who IL thew
nave any sense of the uses of learning have
IL only Tor that kind and degree of learning
wnlch has naturally practical object In
view. Unhappily, he said, there are MANY
who cling to the narrow-minded notion that
education should be confined to the burmese
or making the mind skillrul tool for its
owner wherewith he may successfully work
out the future he seeks or a relentIesslv
perfect weapon wherewith he may always
win In the battle OF life in whatever strug-
giles he may be engaged.
To Develop Broadly.
Mr.. Blumenthal thought that the aim Of
education should be to develop all the facuI
ties and perfect all the functions. He was
none the less alive to the fact that II was
one, but only one, of the many duties of n
weli-devised system of education to properlv
equip its pupils to meet the practical affairs
OF the world; to give an adequate training
In business methods; to give skill and deft-
ness TO the eye and hand. Even in the most
eleyating stage of the schooling these things
should be constantly kept in sight There
were some who were unable to share the
1uil Dement'S or organized education, and to
such was LETT the advantage of seIf-educa-
ton, which often proved as advantageous as
the best opportunities which schools or col
leges could afford. He thought that tr,1e
education should result in the real inherent
development of ourselves to mental great
ness and moral purity and to a conscious
ness to know and love the right 1t must
build character as well as improve the mind
All branches of education in schools and
colleges should be taught not as theories
only, but as things to be made useful i'm
the life of the scholar.
Dfgnifying Labor.
The lecturer enlarged upon the need of a
perfect polytechnical and professional train
ing in all occupations or professions. for
whatever was worth learning or doing was
worth learning and doing right Nothing
would more conduce to the dignity of labor
than the entrance into the ranks If men of
thorough proficiency and skill.
The Future Course.
"As Jews especially" said the speaker
I'VE are under the most pressing OBLIGATIONS
to render ourselves worthy of the great fu-
ture which lies before us. We are citizens
of the mightiest and best government that
has ever existed on earth, and with oppor-
tunities never before within our reach or
even conception. The young men an women
of today will be responsible for the welfare
and position of our race in this co,,ntrv
Ihere should be and must be no Jewish
candidates for office or Jewish organiza; ions
Tor political purposes-this must IN no wise
be countenanced or tolerated. In religion
Jews; in politics, Americans should be our
only and constant watchwocd
Social Grnces Necessary.
THE cultivation nf me social srares is
one or the essential elements of q liberal
education. Some great scholar like Samuel
Johnson may permit himself oddities of
manner, and some crest thinker like Thomas
Carlyle may secure pardon for habitual
rudeness; but society is not made I'D of
great scholars and thinkers. The price of
social intercourse Is obel.euce to those laws
and customs which are, deemed necessary
for the proper maintenance of social reJa-
tons" .E.. :
True culture. said Mr.. Blumen thai, Is not
always the result OF education or the nos
session of much iearning; it is that quality
In man or woman that emphasizes the true
gentleman OF lady.
Literary Culture.
Mr.. Blumenthal thought also that Iitcra-
trre he'd its legitimate demands upon us.
Over agai' st The claim that the latest Iro-
auctions of the press absorb so much Of our
time that there is no leisure for the master
pieces of the past, must insist lha: we
cannot critically appreciate what is excel
lent in the literary products CT our own
time unless we have as a standard the
noblest creations o? the greatest thinkers of
all lands and ages. There ought to he no
in deci1ing between rider naggard
and Homer; between Bradden and Stake |
speare.
MIR. Leech Ill.