The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1901-04-12

in schools; which eXhalts the artificial
life and quenches the enthusiasm felt
i'm childhood for nature, and finally
renders him incapable of approaching
its beauties.
Nature study teaches child to
see, to think. to talk, to write on real
things The CHILD who is taughtN to
observe the world in which he lives
obtains correct attitude toward
knowledge in general. He learns to
employ his senses in examining the
work of the Creator, whici cannot but
educate.
Nature study gives unbounded OPP
portunities OF developing the ethical
l.ature of tire child and character
building. Since it is true that what
we learn i'm youth grows up with us
and in time becomes part Of the
mind itself, it is important that the
mind be so 6iled with true and beauti-
full thoughts that evil ones can fiud
no entrance.
Nothing can furnish as better
opportunity for such work than ma
ture. We not only have the thoughts
of the greatest of earth's teachers to
help us but OF the Great Teacher.
For instance let us suppose 1--WE have
given a lesson on a flower, are we not
hidden, Consider the lilies of the
field, how they grow? Are we not
also given sweet lesson of trust in the
words eff God so clothed the grass of
the field. which today is, and to-
morrow iscast into the oven, how
much more shall he clothe YOU?
Here is an opportunity to lead the
pupil to look upon this wonderful
world as a volume OF Gods Words.
That every flower he beholds is a
work of Gods hand and an expression
of his thought.
When examined under microscope
and they see how perfect in every
part. even the minute and unseen
parts they may learn that the Great
| Maker finishes with as much care the
hidden parts as he does the more
conspicuous. And that after His eX-
ample our greatest workmen have
wrought.
Longfellow has beautifully express
ed this thought in his Builders
I'm the elder days of art.
Builders wrought with greatest care
Each minute and unseen part;
For the gods see everywhere"
Nature also furnishes us with
solemn warnings The fairest flowers
blooming under the dead leaves in
early spring warn us not to Judge
from appearances. Or in the case of
the dodder which seemingly starts
ont with such good intentions but
ends by deriving its support ready
made from the sap Of its host. So
like the boy who copies his problems
from his neighbor, looks in his book
on the sly etc.
But Nature has its punishment for
all such offences. Here comes in the
universally of law.
Nature study cultivates an artistic
taste and furnishes us with the mat
erial to work with.
Drawing is natural. Simple and
exact means of expressing form aud
relative position which language
could not do.
Painting. of is course. the best way
OF expressing color. Language ex-
| presses this very imperfecty.
The troub esome terms Of hue, tint.
shade and the various harmonies will
be easily understood if associated
with the color of flowers, bright leaves
shadows on The hills. the blue of the
midday sky and the crimson and
gold of sunset.
A little mixing of paints or crayons
will show them how new colors are
made
Harmony may best be brought out
by observing the colors in nature.
The more they grow to wonder at and
love the harmonies of nature the
more they will grow in harmony with
truth and beauty.
This is only little of what may be
said on this grandest of all subjects.