The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1901-01-03
WHAT A YOUNG MAN
NEEDS.
From the New York Sun.

4 rum AAt -NtN OIA Gun
This question. in one form OF an
other, is now arising in the minds OF
great numbers Of young men who
are pursuing OF mcditsting the pur-
suit Of a college education.
TO the Editor Of The Sun-Sir:
What studies would you recommend
for young man to take up who
wishes TO make = start in journalism?
tie has a chance 60 go away to col
lcee (Bucknell has been decided mp
on) with the privilege Of special
course. lie wishes 60 make the
most Of his time a. he is dependent
upon himself for n livelihood
HARRY l.. HOWE.
franklin. Pa. Dec. %"
No special course Of study csn be
marked out a. best adopted TO lay
the foundation Of iisnes. in a young
man for this profession or business Of
journalism. The grounding he re
quires for every other department Of
activity which demands intellectual
training IS required in this.
The great Office of n college il TO
furnish this intellectual discipline
and not so much 10 impart mere
knowledge aud furnish instruc-
ton IN itself Of immediate practical
value. Thus languages. which may
be wholly apart from knowledge
seemingly essential 60 the career a
student has decided upon. are an in
tcllcctual exercise. aud mathematics,
oi which he may never expect 70
make practical use. serves the same
nceiiul purpose. one Of the defects
of the elective system OF studies
introduced into our colleges seems TO
bc that in Offering 20 student the
opportunity 10 reject those distaste-
ful Go him or % which lac thinks he
has Jess need than others. IL may de-
fraud hlm Of the intellectual training
His very disposition 20 reject them
may indicate lac most needs Mas
tcuug an ungratcful task l. In itself
education. Concentration Of the
mind ou an exercise not agreeable 20
youthful taste. or even especially irk-
some g. Il, L. a prime essential of
valuable Intellectual training. \
littie lcaruin., We have the best au-
thority Tor calling dangerous but 80
ALSO De- easy learning dangerous.
lhu- D, happens that oitentimes the
quickest learners in college class
turn ont IN their careers behind
young men who had to cudgel their
brains aud toll and sweat TO master
subjects almost intuitively grasped
by Others Their hard work devel-
opcd and strengthened their intellec-
tusl muscles.
NActhes the fault in our new uni
Ncfsii5 -ysicm lies where We have
suggested oi IL TO he found elsewhere.
OF whatever the cause. something
seem, Co be wrong in the practical
result. OF the recent development Of
that system. Our contemporary
writing by the younger men from the
college scems TO be deficient in the
reelection which gives intellectual
grasp. IL does not indicate minds Of
vigorous philosophical training.
Lven from departments Of science 20
which oar universities give special
prominence in these days students
who write brilliant theses at gradua-
ton are too apt 20 stop thereto
strike twelve AZ once.
This is merely in the way of illus
iralion of what we mean in telling
our Young friend that no special
course IN : college is Of special and
peculiar necessity 10 him a. prepS-
ration for journalism. The mere he
knows and the better and the more
thoroughly he knows il. 80 that he
eau express his knowledge and his
thought with force and lucidity. the
better viii he be fitted TO write for
the public in newspaper. No man
can be toe big. too wise. too learned =.
too broad OF too accurate in his
knowledge for that task and duty.
No intellectual training in any direc-
sion which develops his mental pow
e. and gives TO him freedom snd con-