The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-28

on the other extreme, believes that things
are fundamentally wrong; so certainly are
they moving toward destruction that IL Is
unnecessary 10 take his time 10 try TO avert
disaster: and he never does. The optimistic
pessimist believes that things are funda-
mentally wrong, but that he has been able
or his own effort TO save a few things out
of the general wreck. The pessimistic OPP
timist believes that things are fundamental
~ right. that the ideal OF God is in the
world as "a living force, but that a few
things have gotten snarled where evil men
too long have had their way. He believes
that ii Is his business to join shoulder 10
shoulder with all who are striving for the
betterment of things and people. Ten such
men viii form the saving remnant or any
city or nation. In the world ideal Es con-
troiled by thinking there are four progress
I've stages. standing for four classes of peo-
pie. The first class is composed of people
who have not passed beyond the childish
stage Of thinking. They are interested in
things. The childish stage of curiosity
which leads a child. after he has played
with his toy until he is tired of ii. 70 take
it TO pieces to see what is in il is The high
est view Of this grade OF thinking. because
IL does begin to search somewhat for the
relationship of cause and effect.
THE second class of thinkers perceive
quite fully that things are not more i'm
portant than their relations-that in some
instances the relations are the more i'm
portant matters. The interest of such per-
sons grows as important relationship mani
fest themselves in the study of things. But
this grade OF thinking never rises to a true
Self-active cause. 1t rests its conclusions on
contingency-some things happen to get in
to conjunction-thiS establishes causative
relations, these generate or liberate forces,
and these move the stars in their courses.
1t records results, facts and
develops the first stages of science; but it
leaves all questions OF true causation still
unsettled
1.-THE third grade of thinking makes a dis
49, t.. n 49, 4.
things as the first and sets a like value on
relations with the second. But IL makes a
+ definite effort TO see causes and TO find uni
ties. Ii discovers that behind the movement
of things in their relations, there must be a
power which gives law to the contending
forces and limits results. People nave given
various names TO this power. 1t is the
hishest conclusion that can be reached by
any process Of reasoning which takes into
account the external world as the chief
element of existence. The fourth and high
est grade of thinking sees the futility of
seeking an explanation OF the universe ex-
ternaily. 1t begins its Investigations with
the self. The investigator must so examine
himself as to be able to discover the three
characteristics of spirit, viz, self-activity,
self-consciousness and self-direction. IL one
cannot find the elements of these i'm him
self, he need never seek for them ~lsewher
The processes of seif-activity and self-con-
seriousness make ii possible to discover
higher and lower orders of human expert
ShNt cN4o Aioo " a Ait thC
setting up of ideals of conduct. So soon as
this has been done the person has started
on a course of self-direction. The proper
blending of these processes of self-activity,
self-consciousness and self-direction lays
the foundation of human progress. This
blending of the three makes it possible that
a person may take advantage of the ex-
reriences Of others. deeming it of worth TO
his own life. No sane man has ever lived 10
his fiftieth year but wishes he could try IL
all over again, taking back to his youth the
experience of age. This is what education
does for the youth. Given an infinite uni
verse and a being capable of experiencing
all within himself, there is implied an in
finite time; thus. is the individual immortal.
On this foundation philosophy joined with
religion in asserting the immortality of the
Individual. personal soul" In conclusion.
Superintendent Jones said a man was truly
educated when he thinks clearly, reasons
logically, judges justly, aspires nobly.
hates intensely, loves devotedly and
drudges cheerfuily.'
Miss Maude Essex, a pupil of school No.
2, of this city, sang two pleasing solos.