Charlevoix county herald., 1910-06-25
Class Numbers
Concluded From Last Weeks
Issue of The Herald.
The Value of an Education.
Class Grafton by Flora Simmons.

EducatiOn is never thing Of the
past. but always one of the most inn
portant topics on the mind Of each
new generation. Many millions Of
dollars are spent yearly in order that
that youth of today may be prepared
TO fill the vacant places of tomorrow.
II is asked. if our forefathers were
able to live, enjoy life, and build a
prosperous nation, with limited ed
ucation, cannot the future generation
do likewise? But the times are con-
stantly changing and the youth Of to-
day must therefore have better ed
ucation in order TO meet the greater
demands upon them.
An education means more than the
mere knowledge Of ones special occu-
patton. Man must be able to prize
more highly the fair treatment Of his
fellOwmen. and have as bis motto,
that human life is of more value than
shall find that the life Of the public
will be safer and more pleasant. For
example, the railway magnate will
not work for the large profits, but for
the comfort of his passengers and
safety of his employees. And the
capitalist who does not guard his em-
ployees against dangerous machinery,
who allows them TO work under un-
sanitary conditions, or employs child
labor, will not be tolerated.
1t is true that men lyed in the past
quiet and peaceful lives, working day
after day. OH their small farms, clear
ing the land and planting the small
towns. This filled up their life, and
therefore they did not require So
much education. Today the country
Is dotted with cities aud factories, the
mature results Of their efforts. These
cities are full Of the habitations of
vice, which are always open, only
waiting to tempt the youth. If the
youths are properly educated, they
will seek to read instructive books,
seek the highest class of entertain
ment, and avoid everything which
would not be instructive.
This country is covered with all
kinds of industries which take eXper-
fenced and educated men To operate
them. 1t il true that some men are
able TO tit themselves for good posi-
t!ons, by initiating those who are ex-
perienced, and by private study.
But it is only few who have the
ability to do this, aud if it were not
for the colleges, where man may be
instructed for the higher positions as
he could otherwise obtain. Men who
seek for helpers want only those who
are capable Of doing the work well,
and more and more industry calls for
the educated and the skillful.
many years of hard work but it is us
ually indispensable in order that
these higher positions may be gained.
But The men who have gained these
positions find that they require much
less work and time than the common
place ones. To the man of small
earnings old age is looked forward to
with dread, for nothing has been
saved, and In order that he may live
he must work every day, and life is
nothing but drudge, while the edu-
Gated man usually Of larger earnings
has saved sufficient to keep him COM
Portable. and there is less need for
him to work. and he may therefore
have time TO think about other things
than work.
The most important part of an edu-
cation is, that it Increases ones cap
acity to enjoy life. The uneducated
man has no time for pleasure and sees
only the things which take place Ia
the small space of his unframed men.
tai vision as everyday occurrences,
while in each sunset, or In the song
Of the bird the educated man finds
some new pleasure.
hh SOuSdOiOu lHdO 10 vi
sort and that includes both mental
and moral nature should give a man
leisure TO take part ia matters Of So
.cial betterment and the willingness
to do so.
As civilization advances and be-
comes more complex, the elementary
education of our forefathers no longer
suffices. New inventions create new
wants that demand greater efficiency
to satisfy. The average man must be
something Of scientist whether he
be farmer, mechanic or professional
man. New Industries and occupa-
tiOns are ever springing up
and there must be experienced