The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1907-12-13

I
been Christianixed. when from ~
various dialects and Latin had come
the romance languages. monastis
teaching ceased to be q power. II
still fingers with us. but AZ an in
nnence 1t long ago came to an end.
The conquest Of Constantinopls
forced the learned scholars Of that
city westward and naturally they
came to Italy. They brought with
them the learning Of the ancients.
the beginning OF Hermonistic edu-
cation.
These scholars came to the great
cities Of Italy, and soon became mem
bers of the households Of the power
full merchants and newly-created
mobiles. These, fearing their new
honors would melt away and posteri-
ty would never hear Of them, glad
ly welcomed the newcomers. They
hoped through the influence OF these
educators they might live. How
much similar do we find conditions
today! Look at our great public
benefactors! Istn't there similar
feeling present today?
These scholars learned the native
tongue, because their own beloved
Greek was unknown to the western
mind. This was the greatest gift to
education. Previously men had to
learn Latin to become educated.
Much time was lost in this acquisi-
ton. Now men could learn all in
their own tongue.
The men of the East opened to
western Europe the ancient authors.
They unfolded to an awe stricken
people the wonders of Odyssey, the
Iliad, the works of Plato, Socrates,
Aristotle. go to the ancients,"
said they, they knew all things"
So back to the glorious days of
Greece and Rome they carried the
people. The effects were felt in the
arts, literature, and buildings, es-
pecially the latter. Instead of cita-
dels and armed camps came grace
full buildings. Instead of harsh,
hard way of living came ease and
even luxury This luxury was the
"stubble sown with the seed" 1t
grew up and gave as it's fruits "only
thorns and thistles.. To another
generation this stubble was given as
a legacy for eradication.
Released from church ifluence
men broadened their outlook. They
began to study how to live well
rather than how to die well. 1t re-
manned for our times to learn how to
live we'll so we may die we'll.
For the first time men thought of
their bodies as well as of their souls.
The study of anatomy produced In
terest in the science of medicine.
From stilted prose men turned by
invitation to limpid poetry. Witness
the works of Dante In his Divine
Comedy. Men suddenly thrown in
to new conditions, unprepared,
naturally drift into abuse of these
new conditions. The way from lux
ury to righteousness was easy;
from medicine, the preserver; to
poison, the destroyer.
Read the pages of the history of
Florence and this retrogression Is
evident to all.
Had the new education done good
or harm? Had mankind been i'm
proved or refrigerated under 1t?
These are the questions that are al.
ways asked when any new movement
is in sway. Yes men were improv-
ed by this movement. Life was made
easier. Men could enjoy moro gifts
of God. The world was better be-
cause men were broader. 1t was the
restoration of gift retarded because
of conditions. We place away in
safe keeping some present to our
child until he Is older and may APP
preciate it. From the monastic IL
braries came these boarded treasu-
res when the world was ready for
them. The bad results were by an
other generation eradiCated. An
other education came to correct the
evils. A new blowing was necessary
new seed must be sown and to
the next generation this duty was
given.
SCHOOLMAN.