The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-09-03

0la TaIes and Modern Idenls. By John Herbert Phillips. Superintendent of Public Schools of Birmingham, Ala. There is nothing more stimulating to the mind of youth than the stories of old Grecian mythology. The world was young when these myths 'wefe made. All the vigor. beauty, glow of youth are in them. Mighty truths the old tales hold. mighty lessons they teachs Dr. Phillips has taken many of these ancient stories. ancient. yet ever young, and has in retelling them charmtngly shown how each holds its modern ideal The story of the Spartan and Athenian boys seated in opposite groups across the mighty amphitheatre wherein enters the old man tremulously seeking a seat surely holds is lesson for boys of any modern Athens. The Athenian youth jeer the old man, mock ing his querelous voice and halting gait, the Spartan youth rise in rever- ence to years and give the venerable man a seat in their midst. The voice of the old man rises to its strength as of old when he cries to the assembled multitude: 'rhe boys know what Is right, but the Spartan boys do what is right" wieh this story and Carlyles dictum: Not what I have, but what do Is my kingdom" Dr. Phillips gives a lecture which youth may read with profit upon The Kingdom of Life" ssfb 4S NAAS WAth zSoTuBba pHitOSOpHy, T was in darkness, but took three steps and found myself in paradise; the first step was good thought. the sec- ond good word, and the third a good deed"
 From the stories of Echo and Mar cissus. of James, of the two forces of Perseus and Medena. of Hercules be- tween Vice and Virtue. of Diana and her revenge-sent heart of Calydon, wise lessons for the youth of today are drawn. From Biblical narrations mod ern truths are incuIcated; as the Walls of Jericho fell by faith. so by faith in ourselves. our neighbors fall, the walls of our cities. the ramparts, balItenents and hastions of castles and citadels, the very fences of our front yards From the story of the Prodiga1 Son the philosophy of want Is taught: Under lying every attainment, every success 4very growth, every progressive step as the one essential condition of want"
 vegetable Sociology" is the subject of one lecture; the mutualism of plant life. the organism of different species living dependent one on the other, as are the capitalist and the laborers; relation of plants. q condition where one growth is master. one slave, In which condition continued idleness brings loss of power; of parantism, in which condition an idler attaches It. self Tor support to some handworkinE, wholly vital plant. Two very beautiful parasites of our woods are the dodder, or lone-vine. the web of gold that so brilliantly nets the undergrowth Of our marshes, the mistletoe in one section taking its lining mostly in our mighty oaks. growing without cost to itself it's clusters of pearls, this the Greeks called the Phoradendeon inc "tras thief"
 The Love of the East eives its terms also, there is the ever fascinating tale or kadib, the genii who hid his strength where only patient work could | discover and loose it. The days of chivalFy. the glorious day of the Round | Table, the stories of the poets are all | drawn on to give of their largesse to | fhe truths of today.
 Laughter an Index of Character" re- | calls some most interesting visits made | to the public schools of New York. I 1 went in company with a brilliant wo- | man who was deeply interested in the l matter of laughter as an index of char | acter. and furthermore the index point | inR out chief characteristics how apply l the tonic of true humor and joyous 1 laughter. The lady entering unex- pected of the pupils. recited for them | especially, amusing stories and noted | the reponse of smiles or laughter from | the audience before her She held that ] in every instance the girl who laughed most readily. most enJoyably, most per tinently proved upon inquiry the girl who won the highest marks. The ex- periments were very interesting. A sense of humor is a saving grace, laughter true tonic. but both are hard to classify and pigeon hole. What is humor? What is wit? What foolery? What nonsense? What true fun? Hard to define as the sparkles on the water, the gloss on the grape, the tints on a hundred roses.
 The aEsav ond probably the most valutble to the stu dent. Knowledge is power when that | Knowledge can be applied effectively"
 The first requisite of power of mind | is given as Concentration" Master yottr own mind - Try the time test" Does it take you two hours to get your lesson. See if you can get it in an hour and a half"
 These suggestions are given to the student: First, provide favorable conditions" The student must not set to his task hungry, or weary, nor must he expect to do his best work just after eating. or reclining in rocking chair. or on a lounge: The body should not be uncomfortable, but if 1t is too com- fortable the mind works indIfferently.'
 Second-'Be ready to begin" Have all the aids and implements needed at hand at the start. the books of refer ence, pencils. papers, etc. so Is distrac- ton and dissipation of energy avoided
 Third-"Be methodical" The educa- tor of vast experience urges system. and warns against moods"
 Fourth-"Be self-dependent~ The T work that tells. the work that really pays. is the work done by Fogrsslf alone
 Is this not true of every sost Sf zzsa+ tai accomplishment Did ever q Echsaf or a club, or association of any aoFs ever produce a great book a fine vse- fura, a clear-cut statue, or any woFrh- full work of art? Even in statesman. ship the master mind produces while the conclave accept. affirm. and satisfy Even a work of collaboration falls 70 ] hold the strength of work done single li handed. It is the old truth of tTeadlnz l the wine-press alone. rl Ftfth-"Cultivate Patience" Herein ~e need to con closely the lessons Of ~'s- mother Nature, who takes a season '- rose a century to grow an s,} sle to crystalize a diamond.
 c ture: The Value of the Ideal" responBive chord: The ideal h,- -ei.J as we'll as the practical: the aec as essential as the reality"
 Jn that touched nearly our fu- fs1~ "5i bear much repetition and yet
 e. crest, many of us realize how
 but little while ago seemed s..e ties that are now visible tam gible, a part of our every day living.