The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-01-13

| HEADLINE UNION FOrme q state EduCa-
| ton Board-Good Music Given.
| The seating capacity of the Advent
church was stretched to its utmost to
accommodate the ladies who attended
the third literary afternoon of the Wom-
ans Literary Union Saturday The little
church presented very attractive ap-
pearance. A large bunch of red and
white carnations adorned the reading
desk
The meeting was called to order by the
president, Mrs j. B. Coyle, who said that
before the afternoon was given to the
committee in charge, she would like to
appoint a committee to present, after
the exercises. paper sent by the Peda-
gogical society. On the ACCESSIBILITY of
state board of education.
Mrs. E. S. Osgood said that there were
500 women within those four walls, as
bright as any in the world, and she
had heard fine papers on the Armeni-
an question and the Monroe doctrine.
She thought the opinion Of the
W. L. U. would be valuable OH the
subject. Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Osgood and
Mrs, Carter were appointed the commit
tee.
Mrs. Coyle then gave up the platform
to Miss Adams, Mrs. Chase and Mrs
Smart Of the committee on education.
The following was the programme of
the afternoon:
Piano Duet,
Miss Susie Adams, Mrs. Mowry
Paper-The American Student,
Mrs. Smart
Vocal Solo, Mrs. True
Paper, Miss Deborah N. Morton
1.-THE aim Of education should be to
teach US rather how to think than what
to think-rather to improve our minds.
SO as to unable us to think for ourselves
than to load the memory with the
thought of other men''-Brattie.
Mandolin and Guitar Duet,
Miss Swasey, Miss Chase
The exercises were opened with finely
rendered piano duet by Miss Susie Ad-
ANS and Mrs. Mowry.
Miss Adams, chairman of the commit
tee. spoke briefly on the breadth and
depth of education, including not only
what we learn in schools, but everything
we touch. She introduced Mrs. Emery
Smart, who attended one of the greatest
| institutions of the country, the School of
Oratory in Chicago. Mrs. Smart then
read scholarly paper. She said
in part:
| In considering the subject of scholar
modified by the term American, we have
to remember that this country is crude,
/ 10 and nnIU o,fy1
ries ago our country WAS inhabited only
by red men, and three short centuries
ago our Pilgrim fathers landed on this
wooded and wild ground. The signs of
the times are multiplying and the ideal
American scholarship is beginning to
take shape. The destiny and function Of
the scholar is already indicated.
American educational systems must
not i'm itate European models Fundamen-
tai truths may be expressed in as many
dialects as find sound ON human lips.
Science. art, poetry know no.
geographical and no national boundaries
The last decade OF this century augurs
we'll for our nation, because it proclaims
the birth song of freedom in education
American professors have equality with
their European colleagues. In the appli-
cation of their wisdom the urgent cir
cumstance for them to remember is that
they are not in Germany nor England,
but in America.
The American scholar has opened for
himself great opportunities. To teach is
not his sole occupation; to search for new
truths is his obligation. He is found in
many fields. He is inspired with conf
dence that among the busy path finders
he is not last nor least.
We ara supremely practical people
and foreigners tell us we are race of
materialists. A doubt is expressed as to
whether the passion for profound knowl-
edge can be born and developed IN demo-
craoy as in aristocracy. The one great
informing idea of modern civilization ia
democracy, which declares not the equal
ity of man, but of opportunity. Man is
set free, individuality is permitted full
development
A true home is needed for the scholar
Processes Of thought are like the work
ings of nature; Capitalization demands
stiffness, repose. We must make space
and silence. SO as not to miss the voice
of the scholar who is here among US and
who will proclaim greater truths than
yet the age has learned
The paper was followed by song by
Mrs. True. who delighted her audience
Miss Adams then spoke Of health as be-
ing the first thing to learn. The body
must be cultivated to be able to assist
the mind, and resting Is one of the es-
sentials. She then introduced Miss
Deborah n. Morton.
Miss Morton read very bright and
interesting paper on the education Of
the body as regards health. She said the
advertisements of medicines for nervous
diseases were many and varied. Are
nervous diseases peculiar to America,
and are they increasing? 1t is all due
to civilization, climate and improper dress
The dress of today as seen through a
doctors eyes is not thing Of beauty, the
| bones and steels causing weakness The
food we eat is an outrage to our stom-
achs. It is also largely due to climate
that our nerves are SO diseased as foreign
ers cannot work with ease in this coun-
try. In large cities everything moves at
| fever heat, and a man to keep in the
| whirl must not spend an idle moment
All agree that America is a blessed ooun-
try for women, and yet the overwork and
worry cause many woman to suffer-
We know how to work but we vet have