Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-06-10

49, 49, INV sA0 VI W
student life. Power acquired is the
best criterion of work done and the
man himself and his capabilities better
recommendations to the worlds favor
than the diploma he bears. What he
knows, what he can do, which way he
is faced and how much of moral stami-
ma and will power he has to help him
forward on his journey are the ques-
tions the world will ask concerning
him. Some students seek only a sur
face view of truth while others draw
nigh unto the heart OF things.
DANGER OF MACHINE METHODS
Mankind has always had before Ii
the choice between life giving, faith
inspiring, all conquering knowledge
and the mere benumbing p~retense
which hides itself in mechanical forms.
The issues of the choice are as vital
today to human progress and individ-
ual growth rs they were when Christ
walked on the shores of Galilee. They
are too as fundamental In the intellect
ual as In the moral world. The gray
est danger which threatens our educa-
tional system today Is the tendency to
consider the machine-like method of
educating the boy more important than
the boy himself. High standard per-
sonality should be the ultimate ideal
in il all. The outcome should be an
individuality so strong in its physical
capabilities, intellectual fiber and
moral worth that it will need no boil
stering of an accredited certificate.
Such a personality is ready TO answer
the worlds qu%estionings. 1t has knowl-
edge and that knowledge Is power. Ii
can do and is not afraid OF the doing.
1t faces toward exalted achievement
and welcomes the opportunity to en-
gage in the struggle. IL IL wishes to
enter college it rolls up its sleeves,
makes ready for the opening reviews,
and carries no ~''ponies" in its equip
ment. 1t subscribes to the old time
doctrine that the real test of knowledge
is in its use; that knowledge of mathe
mates, for instance, is best shown by
handling its principles correctly;
knowledge of English by marshalling
its vocabulary into clear, strong SEN
fences which ring with transmitted
truth; and knowledge of history by
ability to grasp In their unity the
mighty forces which have been work
ing through the ages to the worlds
upbuilding. Such a personality Is
not the product of ~lifeless educational
machinery. Its the result OF individ-
ual endeavor stimulated to noblest
effort by touch with in~spirational
lives; but which never loses sight Of
the truth that man Is the responsible
architect of his W greater self.
TOO MUCH INTELLECTUAL WASTE
There is enormous waste in this
world: waste in agriculture, waste in
manufactures. waste in the distribu.
ton of the products of industry, and
what is to be implored more than all
else-intinite waste in the building of
manhood. No man makes of himself
all that God put within his reach. He
fails of his ideals by the sum total of
misspent hours, neglected opportuni-
ties and misdirected effort. He is
what his Maker intended him to be
minus the physical intellectual and
moral waste of life. 1t Is up to the
young people of today to minimize this
fearful waste; to make the most of OPP
portunity, to- economic time and TO
see to it that In the glorious spring |
time of life no seed is sown thai has
not in IL the promise OF reproducing |
itself in the strengthening elements OF
worthy character. Well-rounded man.
hood and womanhood are infinitely |
more important to the homes of Iowa
than good corn and good oats. They
do not come u%nsought. The better life
intellectual and morals the out
come of struggle. Knock and it shall
be opened unto you Is the divine in
junction; and it Is only as you show
yourself to possess the courage of your
great opportunities that you can hope
to attain that personality which our
.princely leader at Ames, DR.. Beard
shear, used to say is the closest kin
ship of man to Cod. The battle of life
is half won for these young people who
graduate tonightif they rightly appre-
ciate the serious side of human living
and then with the Joy of a lofty purpose
proceed to the mastery of its difficult
problems. | do not know the paths
these young people have marked out
for themselves. Some may have fixed
upon lines of work which will bring |
them, at once, into touch with the push
and worry OF active business; while
others may have In mind the further
preparation hat comes of q Collegiate
trainicg. These are important days
in your lives. The decisions you reach
now will vitality affect your future. |
would not make them hastily. Here Is
one point, | would impress upon you.
BENEFIT OF COLLEGE TRAINING
Collegiate training is very different
today from what it was a generation
ago. Then colleges were sort of en-
trance ways to the learned professions.
Now, in their wider mission, they are
olan the me ratauua no thrnlnh mhinh |
the young manhood and young woman
hood of this country are marching to
positions of trust and honor in the
varied industries OF the world. There
is every Indication that In the near
future they will practically offer the
only road to high success in technical
industry. President Schurman of Cor
nell University has we'll said Trough
the unframed handy man with them"
To do the work OF the world as the
world demands that it shall be done
today, requires men trained to the ex-
actitude of scientific methods. This
training he a get in the higher fields
only in the modern college. 1t is true
that the College can give no guarantee
of success to any man. 1t furnishes
SlHply tuo Oppoisuuisy' ishiu Ibo
walls men are unmade as well as made.
The student Of today has presented to
him as strong inducements to earnest
work as aver led man TO high achieve
ment, but on the other hand he is beset
by numerous and persistent tempta-
tions to turn aside from the nobler
purpose of life. The larger number
come out OF the struggle with toughen-
ed fiber and a stronger manhood, but
the weak often go down, and are cast
as driftwood on the shore. | have
been in fairly close touch with hun