The morning times., 1895-10-15
TIMES AS AN EDUCATOR
Professor Lee Davis Lodge, Of Co.
lumbar, Recognizes Its Value.
As an Adjunct 10 the Regular Text
Book In Teaching Political PhilCso-
ply 1t Is Invaluable.

Editor Times: ! see in this afternoons
issue of The Times a Kind notice of small
innovation which l have introduced INTO
the department of political philosophy over
which have the honor TO preside.
l have long been convinced of the great
Importance of the newspapers factor
in education. OF course, IL is unnecessary
to state that tie newspaper is used only
to supplement the regular textbook work
in my department, and to stimulate students
to seek in the world about them for ap-
plications and Illustrations OF what they are
learning in the classroom. In the instruc-
tion of the class the most rigidly scientific
methods are employed.
The student starts with facts These
are studied inductively, historically, conf
paratively and with recognition of the
oninipreseDt reign of law. Present deyel-
opriVntS in the civilized world are con-
stantly referred to. History. you know,
is philosophy teaching by example, and
the happenings of the hour are present
history. II is needless TO say that in the
use of newspapers and in all reference
to current events the professor is extremely
careful to be entirely nonpartisan.
1t seems TO me that the newspaper thus
used for the purpose of incidental mstruc-
ton, and kept within proper limits always,
may be made force for good in university
life.
we often hear it urged as an objection
to collegiate education that the studAets
OF colleges are compelled TO pass four
years OF their lives IN well-nigh absolute
Seclusion from the great world outside.
They arc kept. II is said, so busiiy en-
ployed in mining the golden treasure which
lies deep down in the ages OF the past
that the complex civilization OF whose
tissue they form a part receives but little
study. Many a student who can tell the
name and relate the exploits OF score
of NEUROLOGICAL heroes is utterly Ignorant
of the lives Of the men who are To-Day
making and molding history.
Doubtless there is some truth in this
complaint. The college is in some ways
separated from the life of the people by a
great gap. College men, on the whole.
are not in sufficiently close touch with
the present. There is some danger, 1t may
be. that the republic of scholars may be
invaded by the spirit OF selfish exclusive
ness which befits only an oligarchy. On
the other hand, there is danger that the
people may come to distrust the college
man as impractical. unpatriotic. and un-
productive.
Some means must be found 10 send the
warm blood from the great, throbbing
heart of the outside world pulsing through
the college. Professors must not be mere
professors. They must he men first and
professors afterwards. They must be in
sympathy with the spirit of the times. They
must know to-day as well as they know
epochs thafare marked Il. c. in the Chronolog-
ical table. All human life must interest
them. Homo sum. humani nihil me
alienum puto."
newspapers are one artery by which The
blood of the social organism may be
carried through the tissues CT the college.
An issue OF a great Journal is short
hand report of an Interview with the "Zeit-
geist." / felicitate The Times upon the
very important work which, II is doing for
the cause of education. Strength to its
arml Very truly Yours. yogrs.
The Columbian University.
October IA, 1895.