The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-07


abreast with all other branches Of manu-
facture.
And yet these high factories are
coming face to face with the stopping
place Of ambitious scientists. These
know all the elements of the human
body. all its constituents and ingredients.
And they think they ought to be able to
make one: only they can't do 1t. Man
seems to be material. But our wise ones
at last find that this house OF clay is
but temporary tabernacle for the brief
sojourn Of an immortal spirit that defies
their art. And our educators may ma
nipulate, train, and invigoraie all the fac
ulties and capabilities OF the mind and
heart. and at last find that their work.
manship is a thing without soul,
mere manufactured article. an intellect
ual product without any life; with all
the forms and tricks and ways Of a man,
and yet wretched substitute; initiating
humanity very accurately, but very
abominably Many years ago a popular
writer treated of much of this business
as 1.-THE Artificial Production Of Stu
pidity in Schools" He might have adj
ded an article on the Dessiccating Effects
of Educational Manipulation.
The virtue of books is that they en-
velop. contain, and perpetuate the spir-
fits OF their authors. and reflect and diff
fuse knowledge. Sentiments are embod-
led spirits. and knowledge that makes
things to be seen as they are-in their
measure. color, and meaning-is light. AS
store-houses OF observations; as records
OF law; as sources of inspiration, as mir
rors OF truth, books are the honorable sur
vivors and legacles OF great souls. AS
such they are identified with knowledge
And the cxcellency OF that knowledge is
that IL gives life to them that have IT.
And that is the high office of books,
whose authors are the kings and priests
of our race. And 1t is the life and in
spiration that comes from such sources
that make the light of knowledge.
It has been charged against certain
great students. that they are ever learn
ing and never able to come TO a knowl-
edge of the truth. A few centuries ago.
the world was all full of erudite blind
Tess and learned nonsense. Learning
with the schoolmen was identified with
all sorts of questions and daring inves-
legations that we laugh at; and now
much OF our higher criticism and adj
vanced education is near the same; H.
lLstrated by the efforts OF the bold as
tronomer TO measure the canals In the
planet Mars. and interpret the kilograms
OF its inhabitants. Tiptoe Tommy turn
ed a Turk for two pence: And our as
pirants, after things beyond their reach
are ready for any change that gratihes
their ambition: Christian, Infidel. Brah-
min, or Reformer are all the same TO
them, so 1t makes glare and amazes
the crowd.
Misled, blind, knowing nothing OF him
self or his mission, or the meanings OF
things about him, of his high birth, and
privileges and possibilities and the dam
gers about him-groping in the dark-man
is pitiable object. And 1t may well be
thought that angels weep at the fantas-
tic. though deplorable, tricks Of such
noble being so situated; a nobleman
drunk and poyerty-stricken. on his own
estate; a child wandering in dark and
bewildering wood of which he is heir.
Such he is-unlightened. That only is
knowledge that shows him as he is;
that clears his eyes; that enfran-
chises his affections; that makes
plain paths for his feet; that shows him
all created things made for his perfection
and happiness; that opens the vista of
Heaven; and shows himself in the light
and glow of the countenance OF God;
whom 10 know is life eternal.