The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-12-19

tions of the unsavory distinction that
clings to the selfish glory of many. Gould
died and the word sneered. Tennyson
died and the world wept. The man whose
brow is to be crowned with immortal laurel
must either think largely or must use his
wealth for the establishment of institute
tions that furnish to others the opportuni-
ties of culture.
1t is sure indication of progress when
our great newspapers discuss matters of
education. The busy world is the great
school of life, but the preparation of mind
and morals for the issues of mature man
hood and womanhood, is of universal con-
Germ. Only by contact with busy, pro-
gressive men of affairs can the school-man
become fit guide to the young. He is
the true teacher who recognizes the move
ment of the world and the developments
of enlightened civilization and whose fore
sight can discern the changes inevitable to
growth of history. He is the true jour-
nalist who forgets not the school man and
his charges; who remembers that the
training of the young is for ten or fifteen
years of each life committed largely to
the direction of teachers, and who enters
zealously into the study and discussion of
problems affecting interests so vital TO
the welfare of nations.
During the first week of last month there
met in the University of Tennessee, in the
city of Knoxville, the Association of Col
leges and Preparatory Schools of the
Southern States" This association has
for its object the harmonizing of the in
terests of schools and colleges. 1t pro-
poses to adjust upon satisfactory lines the
requirements for admission to colleges,
and the promotion of all interests common
to colleges and preparatory schools. No
preparatory school that confers degrees
md hot ,ffa.
struction as part of its college organ
ization is eligible to membership In the as
ISOLATION. From this brief outline may be
seen the purposes of the association to es-
tablish throughout our whole country uni-
form requirements for admission into col
lege, and to relieve the widespread embar-
easements attending the prevalent irreg-
ularities in requirements.
Under the present system of desultory in
struction and consequent desultory re-
quirements many colleges have become
competitors with private schools for pa
tronage. and the prestige and efficiency
both of colleges and schools have thereby
suffered. AS a movement tending towards
higher ideals, generous cooperation, thor
ough preparatory work and aggressive col
lege instruction, the organization of the
association promises much for our educa-
tfonal improvement. The gathering to-
gether of teachers from all the southern
states for the discussion of subjects of
study, of methods and management, of
professional ethics and of business condi-
lions, must rebound to the general good.
There Is ever an inspiration in the COM
pany of great minds, and there is no body
of men that commands wider influence
than do school men, In the present rest
lessness of our age we must combat the
tendency to educational sham, we must
foster and sustain and push on the ten
dency to real education. The Association
of Colleges and Preparatory Schools pre-
sents the highest claims to our apprecia-
ton.
1t offers an annual feast of good things
that no progressive, earnest teacher can
well afford to miss. Vanderbilt ,Univer-
sity of the South, Universities of several
of the states; the Webbs, Mooney, Dam
vile Military and other distinguished
schools make a company of educators first