The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-10-06
GETTING Up STEAM.

OF course the construction and build of
the engine. next TO the material, is the
first consideration. 1t must be made
for work. Power and endurance and true
action must characterize it throughout
And all its being must suggest law. Our
great machines are wonderful language
the unwritten history of the manhood OF
our age. We will be believed. in after
ages for our works sake. A contempia-
ton of the achievements of the human
head and heart is grand and inspiring
study. The depths of the earth ana
heights OF Heaven are instructing us ana
lending us their agency.
The soul of machinery Is the generation
of power. and the application OF 1t. Mon
umental mockery belongs 10 the past
time Glowing lie and action TO this we
live IN.
our life and knowledge and character
manifest themselves In our machinery
and work. our machinery and work
impress law and excellent wisdom upon
our generation. A true working machine
is an example, an Instruction. an inspl-
ration to our generation. Our great ma
chnelare our best books. And the first
suggestions of them are power ana Inc
effective exercise Of II. lhe nigh man
shows himself in his machine. And his
machine teaches integrity, uprightncss,
life. and law, and Despeaks power
These reflections are timely and in
place now in our schools and colleges
DO our many and voluminous books sug-
gest the generation Of power ana force!
Does the heavy drudgery OF Tie course
suggest life and activity an, joy? DO
our Young giants drink of the springs OF
learning and come rejoicing TO run tneir
race? DO they drink Inspiration ana does
their hunger and thirst for light and life
grow with what IL feeds orr. THESE are
considerations worth attention. Ii Cdu-
aaf
much that is wrong In II. And we nau
better learn the lesson Of our machin-
cry. and look TO the generation OF human
steam and power to action. There Is
room 10 fear that the whole business OF
education has too much Of mere loaalns
and examining and superstition in II.
There is reason to fear that II cisresafds
the making OF power. Ii Is possible tnat
even the generation and exercise OF power
may be done by the. wholesale ana that
the man may for the large part. sleep
and be numbed while he seems TO be at
work; or. like the old hare, sleep with
his eyes open.
The young of lower animals spend pc
riod IN opening their eyes Our infants
seem to he born with their eyes OPEN
but what jellies are their eye-balls and
understandings. And how long are we In
seeing and understanding things as they
are? In their true light, Size and mean
ing? We spend our early period in see
ing and learning things. in the beautiful
too The Light of Heaven imparts power
and health along with wisdom. Have the
sDwtev.- and irtellectual exercise, mat
we so largely deal in, the elements or
health and buoyancy about or in them,
Or do we teach dry facts, ana exercise
barren exercises that are but She shows
OF manhood. and leave the soul 10 sleep
and starve? 1t is a fact in physiology tnat
MN nav ne al parently obese, lat, ahd
yet die for the want Of nourishment. 1t
A IA
be very learned, and not have particle
o. SENSE He may be Il veritable ency-
clopedia and
Like an ass. whose back with ingots
bows.
Bears his heavy riches but journey.
TIL death unloads him"
Learning does not teach its own use.
Now does general knowledge kmdie and
Life. vigor. light. power force OF char
acter self-reliance. endurance, courage
are of the very essence of manhood. WIN
any one please stuiy the catalogues. ana
mark the springs from which these eie-
ments and Inspirations are 10 come
Where is the promise OF them? Beyond
the profit that comes OF mere labor,
where is the promise OF light and Iifey
The light, the virtue, the enthusiasm,
the manhood OF the teacher ana profess
sor are the chief hope OF the scholar. II
he is an Intellectual beast OF burden. ana
a task-master merely, nothing that he
can teach can compensate for his be-
numbng and distatseful influence. on
the other hand. tive devotion to his
work, its philosophy and dignity. ana a
bright enthusiasm In Il, will open all the
springs OF life in his pupil. and make
man OF him. The best part of college is
the life. the enthusiasm. the pure devo-
the teacher. II 10 this Is added high
ideal and companionship In the student
life we may indulge Homes that the Alma