Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-15
ETHICS OF CHILD STUDY.
This the Theme of DIR. Groszmnnn's
Interesting Lecture Yesterday.

This the Theme of DIR. GrOszmnnn's
Interesting Lecture Yesterday.
In his interesting lecture at st. An
drew's parish building yesterday after
noon on ethics OF Child Study" Or.
Groszmann showed first that it was
through Christianity that the world re-
ceived the Gospel Of childhood. Since
then poets and the verdict of the people
I'm many lands have recognized children
TO be much nearer TO the fOuntainhead
of divine truth than the adult who IS
hedged in by many prejudices and con-
ventionalties ever can be. TO remain
young has always been thought TO be
divine gift. He quoted the words or
Jesus: Except ye turn and become as
little children, We shah in no wise enter
the kingdom Of Heaven"
"Yet as rule" he said, I'VE are impa-
tient If our children do not grow Old De-
fore their time, and in the schools they
are stimulated and fastened on in their
development until their natural instincts
are stiled. and their spontaneity is crush
ed. Many children are never rightly un-
dersto6d by their parents and teachers"
The speaker here quoted some examples
from his own experience, witch showed
that there is a very distinct relation be-
tween health and conduct From these
cases he drew several forcible lessons.
Modern child study, according TO the
speaker, is a new appeal 10 the con-
science of educators The child from in
fancy up passes through series of sue
cessive stages. all different from each
other, and each needing special recognl-
ton and treatment. There are budding
periods for special capacities. II these are
ignored and allowed 10 pass by unused,
an opportunity nay be lost never TO re-
turn. This IS true even I'm regard 10 the
development of morality and religion. Inc
young child IS neither a moral nor re-
ligious being in the strict sense of THESE
terms: he is a savage and an idOlater.
There are distinct stages I'm tho develop
ment of ethical and. religious education
which must be recognized and utilized.
This shows that there must be discreet
guidance But We must not stamp our own
notions and prejudices upon the plable
soul of the child. Dr. GrOszmann challenged
the right Of parents 10 force upon their
children their own religious ana poilticai
views We must, indeed, set before our
children noble examples, he said; but not
90 much for imitation as for inspiration.
We ought TO jealousy preserve and de-
velop in them the ability OF independent
thinking. so that they may have the cour-
age of their own convictions, even though
these may differ from ours. Every child
is unique. and must be taken on his own
terms. We must study the childrens indi-
viduality and adjust our treatment to m
divfdual needs. Even in regard TO ethical
and religious training, the speaker mas
come TO the conclusion that individual
methods should have the preference TO
class instruction.
The immediate result Of this new aspect
of child life will be that all our educa-
tional standards must be revised. Home
and school must cooperate in treating
each child more or less individually. rms
will produce a better understanding oil
human nature in general, and have
wholesome effect upon the relation OF
man to man. The speaker closed with the
recitation Of Longfellow's beautiful poem:
"Ah. what would the world be TO us
II the children were no more!
In this lecture DR.. Groszmann was al MS
best. He has a very clear view OF ms
subject. and marked ability 10 express
himself. The audience filled the large
room, and was composed of representa-
tives of the most cultivated classes OF the
city.
The lecture this afternoon Will be one OF
great interest to both parent and teacher,
''The Development Of Criminality in the
Child" on Wednesday the series closes
with a lecture on the Dignity and Re
sponsbility of the Teacher