The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-04
SOROSIS'S WISE debate.
mas EDCCA7ION BEEN THE cytrr
FACToR ~ HUHzS PROGRESS,

Nsi-tsi.es Thst ee-iu., 70 vyn,e. e..
niEsto- owes tie p-eveisr-.-,, Wa.
Net Aided ny Kuowiesss n u. Wort
sorosis assumed an air OF more than usual
Importance yesterday. It was the first meeting
Of the club since the contamination Of the forms-
tion Of the State Federation Of women's Clubs
and every lady expressed the opinion that there
were grounds for mutual congratulations on the
successful carrying out of the idea OF a State
organization as evolved by Sorosi.. The mem
bsrs wore smarter gowns than usual, and beam.
ING smiles attested a happy frame OF mind.
After chatting an hour over a luncheon, the
guests and members enjoyed a vell-seiected
programme of music and recitations.
Mrs. Helmuth presided, and her opening re.
marks indicated that she resented the tech.
nicality OF parliamentary law which. as IL was
decided at the State Federation Conference,
elected Mrs. Jennie CrolS President OF the state
Federation as a delegate from the Press Club,
and not as a representative Of Sorosis."
when we Last met" said Mrs. Helmuth.
I'VE formed the State Federation, and Mrs.
Croly Of the Press Club with r~esentful
smphasis-"w was elected its President"
In the question presented for discussion by
Mrs. stella Goodrich Russell. Mrs, Dimles 7. y.
Dsnnison and Miss Mary Helena Zacho. as
sumed the Affirmative, and Miss Agnes Warner
and DR.. Hsrrlette Heating espoused the mega
uvs side.
This mental luncheon was the most solid sort
OF food. the question being, Has education
been the most important factor in the develop
ment OF the world and the elevation OF the hui.
man racer"
In presenting the question. Mrs. Russell said
IL consideration involved the consideration OF
another important question as to what was
meant by education.
"The true education." said she, comprises
experience. conduct, self-control, and culture,
but, in our consideration to-day, we must take
the word education to mean the facts of knowl-
edge impaired ia educational courses. Educa-
ton has been n most potent force in the devel-
opment of the world. but has It been the most
important? Men Of genius have not, as a rule.
been noted for their excellence In their
studies; great inventions have come from
the brains Of men who have had but
little book learning. The Magma Char
z was signed By men who could only make
that we cali progress in individuals and c%iviiiza:
personal Improvement. And yet, no amount of
labor would have made a Shakespeare. Newton.
called common sense intensified"
Mrs; Russell further, advanced the opinion
part in the advancement OF the race. and then
the question WAS taken ny. by Mrs. Dennison.
whose first sentence startled her listeners some
what.
should be to capture a composite photographer,
bind upon him his own definitions. and turn
him loose in the wilderness OF the
Mrs. Dennison paused while her hearers took
breath. and then proceeded TO tell them in
ter II was necessary, to 90 back TO primitive
man. which she did, and by a, labyrinthian
process OF reasoning deduced the fact that edu-
cation had always preceded religious knowledge
and its attendant virtues and morality.
I'D AarlU nnfnfnna nf EraAra " Gaf1 Ia
ed the occident. Inventive genius has been
d G,Si,nsp ne Se Of ose n. %S' ~a s%R0r SSt education ias.Gf IN e sas
Justly claim the maternity Of all invention"
dent to religious influences, saying: ALTHOUGH
the countries dominated by religion show the
cry. History from q. third 10 the ak
Had Edison lived 800 years ago he would
probably have been burned at the stake. For
. .iI1S y ssfrss sss ' fon r Ss a.s fIS1HnaGt!SS eS Sa try
fought is battle against royal DEGREES and Pa
France =. Ssii the % puIpis p 1HSs : against inst i proposed In
Mrs. Dennison then spoke Of the gradual
pointed out > future education 90 free that it
would annihilate illiteracy and reduce 10 a
Miss Agnes warner then took up the cudgols
against education as the most important factor:
the question" and declared that the person who
would answer 1t fairly must go back 70 the dawn
valleys Of the great rivers Of Asia; work with
the excavator In Babylon or Nineveh; dig In the
. .sms,ns OF ya shs great Il A. sinr a. l1Srarie:i . sa5Ssr
curious cuneiform writings; study the paint
ed Walls OF the tombs and temples q Egypt with
dustrial and literary life: then cross 70 the elias
SIC :oIl Of GEeeoe and finally recall the schools
loss the world ever suffered. This inquirer after
OF letters In Rome and the Elizabethan period
in England. All this must be done before the
real value Of education in the world could be
Let us consider Rome In the first four CEN
GUSTAV. age had left it; Virgil, Horace. Ovid,
iis6t! lay books Ss., ~s lSsi cheap. y Hsnd hSss Of s ssssss
made copies from one persons dictation. schools
f sSsTiss sli.d T aisS Roman EsTs S~ .nS sassf if RsSs'ss Il;
Did this high intellectual life and widespread
il prevent them from Sinking into ths
most ssbs ss Moral Mora, S Sss5uP p 9Ssr the 20 . Ss
that story Of the unlicensed pronigscy and
hidsous crimes OF emperors who became insane
striving 70 snrpsss his prsdscessor BY inventins
more hellish forms OF crime and vice. The pub,
sank Rcrsily " until they cared Tor nothing but
public gifts OF food and the bloody shows OF the
circus, Nine thousand best, were slain IN one
] 5000 Eladiators fought at Trsjsn's feast after
sGs s sfnf tas, time Ss p p little But band there Of peo Ta:
.espised and ,persecuted. who were hound
by oath TO do what WAS right. These were the
followers of the Christian Church. Among
them woman irst received her rightfui place at
mans side. Education is the servant OF the
Christian Church. which. entering int the old
dead agencies OF political government and mil
iLAry organization, has lifted the world from
bArbarism and the more corrupt civilization 10
the enlightened position which IL occupies to-
day"
Miss Mary Helena Zaehos, on the Affirmative
side, referred TO heredity. environment. and ed
as the three important factors in the
advance OF the race.
"If heredity means life" said she, "educA-
lion means the kind OF life. The mental should
make and dominate the physical. As the slow
accumulAtiOns OF heredtty crystalize, we see
or bad. Genius has been declared the uncOn-
sciOus attainment Of the highest excellence.
When a great action Is done without conscious
Effort il resem Dles the product OF genius. Mental
training and careful tuition have led many
minds TO intuitiye truths-that is, minds I'M I
aware OF any graduated process OF attainment.
The GreakE uudenfOOd that III training we're