Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1894-07-12

their respective communities, men who had
by strength Of character bought golden
opinions ssom their fellow men, and azf
traced their success to the influences OF the
debates that they had taken part In when
members Of the society that had passed
away. Says the account aFully 90 per
cent. Of the members had prospered In life.
Some curious relations between the old So
ciety and new institutions could easily he
traced. The literary instinct developed by
iii some Of the members led them TO organ
ize other societies; these coalesced, when
their usefulness seemed 10 be at an end,
the members now advanced 10 middle age,
determined to help Young men 10 obtain
the education of which they had felt the
need in their young days. They started
school which fourished because II was
guided by firm knowledge ofthe needs Of
young men, and at the time of the reunion
first mentioned, il had become great in
stituiion with nearly one thousand students
Other social influences had been at work 70
build IL, but there was not break In the
chain binding it TO the old literary society
organized by q score Of boys, who could
not afford TO pay more than ten cents
week as dues." This would seem to be an
almost fabulous harvest from such an insig.
nifcant sowing; and yet these silent but
tremendous influences are, as have said, In
daily operation, moulding and fashioning
the rising generation, reaching hand
through the dim years, building the history
Of the future. do not think that the value
OF the training Of the literary or debating
society can be ober estimated No institu-
ton Of learning b complete without some
such association where is students meet at
regular intervals for entertaining and in
structive discussion. Many of US have
perhaps been witnesses 10 the advantages
accruing from the debating society. /
would advise every young man to Join a
debating society. If he gain nothing more
Than a smattering of parliamentary law,
such an acquisition will be worth ali the
sacrifice of time and pleasure he may be
| called upon 20 make. The time Is almost
sure to come when such knowledge will be
useful to him. In a country like ours,
where every man is liable to be called upon
TO take part in the political or business
meeting, an acquaintance with the rules
that govern such proceedings, is sure to
give him a control of the situation not 9TH
erwise obtainable. Going further, and
granting that he may never make any prac.
teal use OF the information in the line in
dictated, the effort put forth in learning
parliamentary rules and in discussing nice
points of order, will strengthen and sharpen
the intellect to degree surprising TO him
sell. The debating society compels young
man to read and study. A subject is pro-
posed; Il is a historical one, and he proba-
bly, knows but little about il. What is the
result? He il. forced to read up on the ques-
ton, to collect material, to ponder upon
the proper method of presenting his facts,
and finally TO marshall his conclusions in
the strongest array. He thus learns histo-
ry in better way than the daily class re.
citation could ever give it to him, because
he has been compelled to think. The aim
Of all education should be to teach the stu.
dent to think. and not to be forever receiv-
ing his ideas second hand.
Again, the debating society inculcates
confidence and selCreliance. The young
debater's first attempt may he an apparent
failure; his embarrassment is even Painful
to behold; he stumbles incoherently through
his part, and is overjoyed when the ordeal
is over and he is allowed to take his seat
Thoughtless laughter mingled with ap.
plause may greet his unsuccessful effort
The meeting adjourns and we pass out, Civ.
ing only fleeing thought of pity TO the
young man whose first attempt was SO
painful to himself and embarrassing to us
Some months have passed, and we are in
vited TO attend another meeting Of the so.
ciety. A stirring question is under the
hammer, and a speaker of force has the
floor-a young whose 10 or II summers sit
lightly upon him. His whole manner is
marked by manly confidence; his opin-
ions are stated with modcsty, but uncom.
promising firmness, and a fiuency graces
his arguments that would do honor to an
older head.
Can it be possible? My friend on my
right says ii is true. He is verify the young
man whom on our first visit we listened to
with such painful attention. We can
scarcely believe the faculties of eyes and
ears. That young man like Lord Beacons-
field felt that il was in him, and he had the
pluck to perseyere; the weekly meetings OF
that society gave him the opportunities to
try his wings until finally he learned to
soar. l witnessed the case just cited and /
have stated it without exaggeration. 1t is,
l believe, almost typical one
| Among the other valuable lessons learned
by the member of the debating society is
this one-ihat the wisdom of the ages is not
confined within the sphere OF his own brain;
that il is possible 10 find his equal in intel
| igence in the world--a fact as big as huge
Olympus, and yet one that some people
never discover-in a word, TO 60 10 the
quick o the matter, he quickly perceives
that every man who does not agree with
him is not necessarily and logically fool.
My friends. pardon the homely clothing in
which my thought is dressed Ny convic.
ton on this point Is so strong that must
needs speak plainly. There is so little tol-