The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-13
SELF-EDUCATION

Possibly most OF those who are enthu-
siastio in the cause of education" es-
pec!ally in the South. are not aware OF
the very serious harm done by the no.
ton which is being very generally I'M
planted, that education and culture can
only be obtained at the school.
A common idea Is. that one must go
to school to know anything
Under this false notion many go to
school who cannot afford either the tina
or money: many go who have not tho
force necessary to make such a course
valuable to them; and. above all many
are discouraged from attempting SELF
culture. because they have been led to
! believe only In school culture, and do
not realize the superiority of the learn
ing derived from ones own unaided ener-
gy and perseverance,.
Tho greater part OF the education OF
every individual. Is that which he obtains
by his own efforts and direction. Tho
principal question Is. at what point shall
one begin his self-education? It may BIO
said that this point has been reached
when the Intellectual force has begun to
show signs OF activity, and reading
habit has been formed: and. 1t may be
added that. In a mind of any great
intellectual force. this occurs very early
in life. The bright scholars In the little
country schoolhouses are possibly better
prepared for a scholars career than the
hoaor men of college class.
At about sixteen the habit-formlng
power is at its best. Then Is the time
to learn trades and occupations. Then
one can most easily form all the manual.
technical and business habits. Intellec-
tual force is not then at Its best. It can
we'll wait and let the habits become set
tied.
1t will take the ordinary child until
sixteen to learn the three RS properly.
He should then go to work. Tho great
firms and corporations want young men
to begin on their work Mt sixteen or
eighteen. and grow up with the busl-
ness. It Is the ideal method.
The sketch OF the newly-elected presi-
dent of the Pennsylvania Railroad aptly
illustrates this point:
James McCrea was born in Philadcl-
phia on May 1. 1913, so that he Is not yet
f1fty-nine years old. Mr.. McCrea had
his preliminary education In the private
school of the Rev. John w. FARES, and
then went to the Pennsylvania Polytech-
Mo College. When seventeen he began
his life-work In railroad service. He
started as a rodman for the Connellsville
and Southern Pennsylvania Railroad.
Like many other railroad managers
who began In that capacity. Mr.. NIcCrea
set himself to build career. He had
strength of body and mind. also industry
and perseverance,. SO he got ahead
Times-Dlspatch. Jan. 8. 1907.
In the case OF the mind that can never
show r,,IcL iptnllactI1o1 forra ba haat
that can ba done is to feed 1t some
thing agreeable during the time 1t is
learning tho three RS: and try to form
soma sembance of a desire to read
some reading habit-if possible. Then, IL
the matter Is not overdone. and dis
gust OF reading engendered. this indi-
vidual may. one by one. find out the
books suited to his needs and. after a
little show signs of progress; and. final
ly coma to considerable Intellectual ac-
complishments.
Where ono Is picking up his own edu-
cation. he is certainly conserving his In
tellectual force, If. for want OF direction.
he starts in false direction, he does
not pursue such course If It affords no
pleasure or apparent profit and. when
no starts right 1t Is very easy to keep
on the right track. With modern means
of reading and learning, 1t is much safer
to allow each individual to follow his
own direction than for him to follow
the direction of those who are inclined to
direct all into one groove In fact. school
teachers are really very blind guides out
OF the regular scholastic lines.
no the youth without inherited property,
who must work and struggle for his own
support, and that of others. 1t Is OF
supreme Importance that he should know
that the training or his intellectual force
may be carried on without neglectlns his
natural duties. To the youth whose In
teliectual force is weak or slow In ap-
pearance, 1t Ia most pleasant knowledge
that however little he may do to cul-
tivate tho pickering flame he is doing
his best without attempting a dlstasteful
course in tho schools. In fact, the Cos
pel OF self-edncation ia far Superior to
all the allurements of the educational
propaganda.
There are three points for one who Is
nnns hut amhltiouS: 4