The evening times., 1898-07-11
STUDY OF MATHEMATICS
lis Educational and Culture
Value discussed by N. Z. A.
Sc. SION NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Professor Josiah Royce, of har-
ward, Talks ON the Social Genesis
of Conscience and the Rnce-Dt"-
cussion of Moral EvOlutiOn-An-
nouncnents for This Afternoon.

Mathematical questions were discussed
at the morning meeting of the N. E. A.
at the New National Theater. Prof. ].
u. wilkinson, director of the State Nor
NAL Schools of Kansas was in the chair.
After the opening prayer, offered by Rev.
J. Abbott johnson. Of the NJ. E. Church.
the speaker of the morning. Prof. W.-B.
Smith, of Tulane University. New Or
leans, was introduced. Prof. Smiths pa
per discussed 1.-THE Culture Value OF
Higher Mathematics from a general
point of view.
Mathematical ability said Prof.
Smith. "as universal experience attests.
implies other Intellectual powers of the
highest rank, but itself is implied by
mere concomitant of culture: the barren
daughter of a fruitful mother"
Inquiring more closely into the nature
of the culture value OF mathematical
study the speaker found mathesis the
mother and nurse of eXactness OF
thought ministering to the growth OF
mind by the formation of precise con-
cepts. as cells aid in organic Dody-growth.
From a higher standpoint the advance
ment of the moral nature of the mathe-
matician and his closer conception OF the
Infinite and unchansing were dwelt upon
with emphasis and eloquence.
Lastly" said Prof. Smith in conclu-
sion. higher mathematics sets the soul
in relation to the Eternal and the I'm
changing. The modern scientific search
for constants is unsatisfying-why7
Mathematics alone contemplates the uni
verse under the aspect Of eternity. Here
the aesthetic clement In mathematics
emerges to light: Mathesis clasps hands
with Art
-Four shorter speeches followed. The
Constants in Mathematics We're treated
by Edward Brooks. superintendent public
schools. Philadelphia. who found in the
science of mathematics the only true
cOrstant values. Frank II. Hall. superin-
tendent State lnsti ution for the Blind.
Jacksonville. ILL.,. discussed the question
rs the Science of Mathematics Qualita-
tive as well as Quan n,itative?" deciding:
in the affirmative. The practical value
of mental arithmetic was emphasized by
A. 5. Downing. supervisor OF Albany,
y. Y. The concluding speech was -tr-
liver ID by Prof. Kelly Miller. of Howard
University, who spoke on the value of
geometry training in prec:seness of
thought and language.
The president. ]. n. Wilkinson. then
read the announcements for the after
noon:
Hon Charles r. Skinner sends notice
that all delegates from New York are re-
quested 20 report at New York's head
quarters at the Arlington.
Exhibit of school work of colored pu-
pills. i'll process at High School on NJ
Street.
garden party is to be given AT Bel
mont by Mrs. A L. Barber this after
noon to the teachers of the n. Z. A -=--
Addresses by w ] McGee Mrs. John
4. Logan. Mrs. NJ. V. OShea will be de-
Mvered.
The session at the Grand Opera House
this morning was opened with prayer
by Rev. Samuel II. Greene of Calvary
Baptist Church. The vice president for
Wisconsin. l.. ID. Harvey. presided. and
Introduced Prof. Josiah Royce. the emil
nent teacher of psychology. from Har-
ward. whose topic was the social basis of
conscience.
brief review of the aspects involved
In the natural history of conscience form
ed the basis of Prof. Hoyces abstruse pa
per. The problem of how truth becomes
recognized: the invention and discovery
of conscience-man's greatest feat the
demons ration that conscience is
growth. a product of evolution was dealt
with by the speaker. The early moral
history of ancient peoples: the remarka-
Bile prevalence of the idea of righteous
ness. and the duty of man among them;
q sketch of the moral features of the
savage life. types and attributes to the
end that 'all elementary tendencies
which govern modern civilization are
found in the savage" the negative char
acter of conscience. its subordination to
higher invisible authority: finally. the
transition to a higher life were brought
out by Prof. Royce.
Passing on to summary study of
moral evolution in the child, Prof Royce
said
''As in the race. so in the child. Three
salient features are described: the first.
that mass of impulses. total lack of con-
science: the second. the stage of mita-
ton. still no sign of an innate moral
code. resulting in chaotic customary NOR
ality: the third, the interest in the in
visible world, aroused by stories. imasi-
nation plays. Religious training is es
sential TO the development of conscience:
but not an external religion.
.'To instill the idea of righteousness is of
primal importance; to arouse inner un-
conscious processes in the child's mind.
Our study should be what conditions
make the unseen world of most service
1t may become to the young mind a
realm of ideal construction consistency,
authority, law. truth. where there Is
freedom. power. where personality can
grow In SO far as this ideal sense IS
developed In the child ID the sc!s value Of
religious training determined.
Miss Eleanor Symonds of this city then
sang a contralto solo. The discussion of
Prof Royce's paper was opened by H
f. Kratz. superintendent of schools of
Sioux City. Iowa. expressing accord
with Prof. Royces views, emphasizing
the point that lofty conception of God
was the potent. determining factor in the
child's moral development.
A general discussicA then took place.
An announcement was made of a meet
ing of the new board of directors to take
place at o'clock this afternoon at the
Cosmas Club, called by the president
elect
E. Dram Lyte. the newly-elected presi-
dent of the n. Z. A, is a life member of
the association. and has served as vice
president of the National Council of Edu-
cation Connected with educational af-
fairs for over thirty years. he has been
identified with many movements for the
advance and progress of education. Au-
thor of several text books on languages
principal of .he First Pennsylvania Nor
NAL School at Millersville he Is an edu-
Gator of eminent rank and still more emf
nent ability.
DIR. Irwin Shepard. reelected general
secretary of the National Educational
Association. has held this important Of
tice since 1892, by annual reelection is
president of the State Normal School at
Winona, Mimi. which position he has
held for nineteen years.
DR.. Shepard is a native of New York
State. was educated In Michigan and
taught since 1871 in Iowa and Minnesota.
He has been regular member of the N.
A Lii md In,