The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-07-06
Class Presidents Address.

Ifalnlng School wednesday evening
of last week, George w. Grady presi-
dent OF the class, delivered the follow
ing address:
The energies of most people during
the years from youth to old age are
centered on the effort to make living
and as bountiful one rs possible.
There are many who go through the
years blind to the fact that there Is
anything else in life than this daily
labor. IT is true that man should de-
vote a reasonable part of his time to
his work and that he should enjoy his
work, but the modern man is coming
to know that fhe is to work effectively
he must not be bound too closely to
his daily toll. Recreation both of body
and mind Is ssential for effective
work. The form which recreation
will take will vary with different
people. TO some great literature, and
to others music and painting will be
the source Of greatest pleasure. But
these are necessarily closed book to
the great mass of common people, be-
cause n love for these things was not
inculcated in them during their school
life when their habits were being
formed and because they cannot be en-
joyed by most people without the ex
penditure of more money and time
than are at their command.
The industries Of our country and
the opportunities offered to the immi |
grant have drawn to our shores vast
number of foreigners whose children
speak their mother tongue. When
we consider that these children must
be taught the English language during
their short school life and that the |
purpose that they and their parents
have in min is to take up some gain
full occupation as soon AS possible, it
can be seen that very little, If any,
culture, that is, ability to enjoy those
things which are uplifting and broaden
into their lives. If this influence is to
come to them and to all others who at
tend our common schools so that it
will remain in their lives, making them
richer and fuller, it must be brought
into them by something near at hand,
and easy of access after leaving
school.
The value of the study Of the great
out doors, nature study so-called, as n
means of gaining culture, has been
made evident in recent years. The
boy or girl who during his school life
has been taught to look with a seeing
eye upon objects OF nature and has
gathered distinct body of informa-
tion around each one which is OF in
terest TO him cannot fail 10 see nature
with keen appreciation and find n
life long pleasure in the great out
doors. His toll and his leisure bring
him face TO face with the rocks and
the trees, the birds and the flowers,
the streams and the hills. Let the
beauties around him, the sunset, tho
sunrise, the forest in spring and
autumn, the hills and the valleys, 10
welcome the birds in spring, enjoy
their song in summer and regret their
departure in fall and then the stream
becomes not merely a place to fish IN
or for cattle TO drink from, nor hills "A
place whereon stock may Craze, but it
has another meaning deeper than this.
Nature study, when rightly taught,
has the effect Of causing the child 10
see in the field Of grass not merely 50
much fodder but also beauty OF color
and form. He will find pleasure in
seeing the bobolink clinging 10 its
slender stems and singing his CHEEKY
note. He will see more in the rpen-
ing field OF wheat than 50 much -four
or the balance IL will place in the
bank, but when yellow waves the
heavy grain" as Burns says, he will
see its beauty Of color and motion as IL
sways in the wind. The trees will
not mean 20 much cordwood or lumber
10 him but their beauty and shade will
appeal 10 him 80 much that he will
sincerely regret their being cut down
II necessity requires it. II the country
boy be taught 10 see in these things
more than means OF making living
he can be induced 10 stay on the farm
and find an enjoyment in the work
even though it may be hard. Money
value adds much interest 70 things, but
a spiritual value goes 70 the very roots
of life and holds by a strong cord.
Work on the farm is hard and tire
some il not filed with that interest
which comes from an appreciation Of
the beautiful or the common but get
wonderful things which surround us
Burns was 10 less a good plbuRhmRn
because he enjoyed ''Ihe Wee Mousie"
or "The Mountain Daisy.
The country school presided over by
teacher thoroughly filed with love
for field and tree and flower and bird
and insect, is the ideal place 20 create
love for the outdoors.
Teaching the children 70 love the out
doors Offers a good chance for language
Mnrk Children lnuc To talk nrh .L,t,n