The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1907-12-27
The New Gymnasium is Opened.

AeboO l. Aucy SNShAho va w A~~~~
red people gathered in the new Gym
nasium at the formal opening. Only
part of the floor space had chairs
and there was room for a hundred
more.
A big chorus of pupils occupied the
stage, besidesa number of the teach
ers. Rev. Mr.. Edwards, pastor OF
the Methodist Episcopal church,
President James Duckwor.n of the
Mormon Stake, c. W. Bergman,
chairman of the Board of County
Commissioners and member OF the
School Board, Geo. F. Gagon, chair
man of the School Board, G. Fl. Hol-
brook, clerk, E. A. Doud and Z. 3.
Kinney, members of the Board and
Sam Lloyd, member of the Village
Council. DR.. Harrington sat little
apart from the others, and presided.
Vests Orchestra and the Black
foot Band took turns dispensing
sweet music. A fine new piano stood
near the stage, rows of apparatus for
athletic sport and physical training
were arranged along the walls, a
bout the floor and suspended from
the ceiling. Electric lights sheathed
with wire screens lighted the build
ing from the ceiling. Everything
ond tho
resounded sweetly through the build
ing.
DR.. Harrington introduced the
first speaker, Rev. Mr.. Edwards, with
few observations to the effect that
Mr.. Edwards had aided him by CIV
ing his personal encouragement and
influence: while he was trying to get
the Gymnasium idea before the peo-
pie and getting tangible results along
with many discouragements.
Mr.. Edwards responded in mo-
dest way, and entered into discus
sion of practical gymnastics in such
an interesting way that it was easy
to see why DR.. Harrington had ap-
preciated his help. Among other
things he said, "The old idea that
YOU must have a child sit down and
observe the command to be good
has played out; Satan finds some
mischief still for idle hands to do
When you give the boy something to
do and provide some way for him to
do it, you have saved the boy. That
old expression, BE Good is a COM
mand in the abstract form and gen.
orally means BE idle Mark Twain
says, BE good and you will be lone
some
"The thing to do with the boy
(and that applies to girls) is to give
him something to do. Give him
something that will develop that
triune body, mind, and spirit. A
boy trained in your gymnasium, will
Jump higher, run faster, work bet
ter, think harder and reason more
clearly than one who does not re-
ceive this preparation.
'I tell you parents, you do not in
vest enough in preparation, and the
equipment necessary to making this
preparation for life's work.
"a very good lady said to me once
4 do as we'll by my boy as any body
could. There is no boy that Is fed
and clothed any better than mine,
and I added, ANY jockey would do
that much for his horse Are you
willing that your boy should go out
into the world in that condition?
A long time ago-I don't know
how many thousands of years ago
some learned men were trying to for
mulate a definition of man; and they
agreed upon this definition: Man
is a featherless biped.' The next
morning Plato walked into the school
with naked rooster under his arm
ALI the feathers having been
plucked On--and as he placed IL on
a desk before them he said, Gentle
men! Behold your man.
''Now maintain that our schools
should be so equipped that our chill
dren may receive preparation that
will give them greater sphere of
activity and usefulness than that
of a naked rooster.
"Dr. Harrington, am exceedingly
we'll pleased with your gymnasium
There are only two more things
could wish for in connection with it.
could wish most heartily that IL
were located over there on the corn
er of the church property. should