The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1894-06-28
ON EDUCATION.
Valuable Pointers On the Same by
Rev. L. L. HanSCOm.

Ibelieve in evolution, not perhaps, as taught
by Darwin-that man has evolved from the
lower species-the inferior mammalian
world. Nevertheless it is quite certain that
humanity began at very low point. 1t would
seem from the evidence furnished US that
thousands of years passed away while men
were learning the simplest things.
Man came fourth into this life to find out
everything. He has had to learn all the
conditions of physical life. He knew that he
had mouth and that it terminated at his
stomach. and that it was right o'eat, and
necessary to eat but the nature of food, and
the nature of poisons were alike unknown to
him. Now, almost everything is labeled but
when man started there was not one word
of information. He had to find out all
through the only schoolmaster, Gods physical
laws. This is education, drawing forth, un-
rolling, in other words, evolution.
Not until 1910 did VIM. Harvey discover
that the heart was pump and that the
blood circulated through the veins. How
little was known of sickness and nothing of
the proper medicine with which to battle dis
ease. Men died by scores and with the very
roots beneath their feet that would have
cured them. but they knew it not. Ten
thousand things now known by every school
boy was once unknown to the wisest man liv-
ing. The process of unfolding has been slow
In fact we all commence life at the very
lowest point. The infant, "a hours of age, is
the most ignorant thing in the world that
has life. While it has not the natural in
stincts of the brute, nevertheless, it has
faculties given to it that the brute has not
In other words it has come into this world
with the germ of an intellect which may be
unfolded to an unlimited degree. Being
utterly ignorant of the world into which it
has made it's advent, it has everything to
learn.
Whatever we know of the natural, moral
or spiritual world, we have been taught by
others, or by studying the laws which govern
them.
We are here tonight to say few words
on education and first wish to call your at
tention to its nature. remark first, it is
difficult to obtain; it is not inherited; it can
not be purchased with money. He who will
obtain it must persue the old plebeian path
of toll In fact all good is difficult to obtain.
He that will eat the meat of the nut must
crack the shell. The quartz must be crushed
if the gold is to be obtained. If we would
possess the pearls of the ocean we must dive
for them. If we would possess the grace OF
God in our hearts we must deny ourselves
and take up our cross daily. If we would be-
come acquainted with the world in which we
live and the forces which govern it; If we
would know its past history and its future
destiny we must study until the flesh is weary.
If we would master the languages we must
study them. If we would become acquainted
With the arts and sciences we must patiently
inquire into them. If we would understand
morals, we must study christian lives, If we
would become wiser in religious things we
must study divinity, and pray. The nature
of education is not so much to impart in
formation, as to develop and train the
mind, that it may become vigorous and
enable it to think. It is not so much the
communication of knowledge as the dis
icipline of the intellect There is but little