Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1898-06-17


surely cannot be ignored. 1t calls loud
ly for sane treatment The situation
making possible this vexed puzzle has
existed throughout civilized time, and
owes largely its continued ENHANCEMENT
to the inefficient, unframed and un-
educated leaders who have attempted to
set it right The field is ripe for the
scholarly man. Education is an indis-
pensible requisite in elevating the
masses. Education is fundamental in
in the solution of the labor question
Men Of thought and learning appreciate
this, but while skilled in inductive
reasoning and in formulating theories
of reform, they have locked that knowl-
edge of affairs that would enable them to
solve it. 1t becomes, first of all, neces-
sary 20 appreciate and inculcate the
dignity of labor, to accord equal honor
to the skilled workers, whether he
labors with brain or hand. From the
dawn of creation labor has been man S
benefactor. Under its hand the earth
is clothed in beauty and the hills sprung
into blossoms. Labor has supreme con
tempt for impossibilities. 1t transports
the treasures of the earth where il will
and laughs alike at the heat of summer
and the cold of winter. 1t is not enough
that men of learning know this. The
man who holds the plough must not
disparage his own work, nor feel him
self lacking in courage and high ideals
because Of his occupation. That he does do
SO, Is but the consistent fruit of the teach
ing he everywhere meets, and because he
seeks III consequence employment for
which he is inadequate the vast body of
unSkilled and inefficient workers is aug
mented.
Our schools may fulfill a broader
mission than they have hitherto. By
the adoption Of a systematic course of
training in manual labor, alongside the
daily training in customary branches,
they may cultivate and inspire a new
concept OF what constitutes true worth
and real manhood The schools alone
will not solve the labor question. That
demands a remedy as various as its
cause, but they may take a long stride
III the pathway toward the mutual re.
spect and practical intelligence of our
people.
The musical numbers Of the program
were vocal solo by Miss Stevens, an
instrumental solo by Miss Whiting, and
very charming quartette, by Messrs.
Beckner, Rice, Mills anc Scott.
The members of the graduating class
Of the Commercial Department are Miss
Augusta Blumke, of Saginaw, Miss B
Roberta Sheppard, of Macomb, Ohio,
Norman f. Coan, of Wyandotte, Mich :,
James b. Gargett, Jr of Alma, and
Royal NJ. Hyde Of Alma.
The chapel was most tastefully decor
ated, in these, as in all exercises OF Com
menoement week, and testities very
creditably TO the taste OF Miss Booth and
the Junior class, under whose auspices
the decorations were fashioned.
TUESDAY MORNING.
Among the exercises of Commence
ment week, those of the Kindergarten
Department are looked forward TO with
the sincerest anticipation of pleasure.
Those Of Tuesday morning, when the
department. graduated a class of four
young ladies, were in no wise disap-
pointing. The chapel was filed, and
the audience throughout manifested
delightedly entertained interest.
Rev. w. n. Wright opened the pro-
gram with prayer, after which the little
folks came trooping in, and found their
places, with the class, on the platform.
Miss Smith told the children story of
God Earth Closets, after which they
|
tie games and completely captivated the
audience with the winning ingenious
ness of childhood. After this hour.
Miss Patterson sang solo, "Life's
Lullaby" an the close of which Miss
Evelyn Sweetland read an essay on the
subject "A Study in Psychology" Miss
Sweetland said: a spirit of investiea.
tion provides the educational world.
Nor does the study end with mere in
vestigatiOn, but practical results are
sought for. The fallacy of forcing arti.
fetal forms of training On the child In
violation of the natural order of develop
ment made apparent, The kindergarten
teacher may do much 10 excite the i'm.
aginaton Of the child in pure and high
directions. and gratefully feel it a part
of her gift 20 the world
Miss Florence Potter, in her essay
"Some Intimate Relations, +" said 1--WE
rise to good through contemplation Of
the beautiful. Nature is garment Of
God, and her various changes "A beauti.
ful symbolism. All living things are
affected 10y their environment, the child
no less than the flowers. The child