The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-06-26

1@RbAtsNEa tfo'' - - 40 ~
well trained mind should be quick IL
its operation and fertile In its re-
sources, and in order for these quail
ties to nredominate IL must be quick
to see the truth. the real gist of thn
situation, and have power to aid or
overcome the effort which Is being ex-
erted as NAV be helpful or hurtful
under the circumstances. The educa-
ton which will produce such a mind
is that which will best develop the
powers Of concentration and analysis.
Systems that embrace many and var
led subjects, which. in the limited time
allotted to each, cannot be fully taken
in and assimiiafed do not tend TO edu-
cate but really tend To make the mind
Tightly and It's powers OF little pracu-
cal value. Education should deal with
the foundations and be deep, broad II
possible but deep at any cost Men
differ not SO much in capacity as In
the power of application and the self
denying efforts they make TO improve
opportunities. II they have them. or to
create opportunities II they do not
exist. Mental training should SO de-
veiop and strengthen the mind as To-
enable il TO thoroughly understand any
subject upon which 1t concentrates It's
powers.
There Is not so much danger Of the
one sided man az OF the man full of
undigested facts and theories The
former will work towards a definite
goal. and with his mind bent on the
quality Of the effort will necessarily
accomplish better results, while the
latter with unsettled convictions may
constantly hazard the we'll being OF
the community in which he lives by
crude and ill-considered experiments.
and will never prove OF benefit TO So
r.i of inc n nd pxneFsanra change
his mental methods.
Both General and Special.
III education is to be productive OF
the best results, 1t IL not sufficient
that II should be general in character,
: involving only mental exercise and
training. but 1t must be special also
and fit the boy or girl for the posi-
ton In life which he or she expects
TO occupy.
OF course. this speciai training re-
ouires that every pupil should haye
a plan for his or her HE. which,
while not essential TO success. con-
tributes largely to II. 1T involves
decision and purpose. furnishes an
ideal and a stimulus. ana enables our
schools to turn out men and women
i prepared for their life.s work. This
means vocational training. some time
ago recommended by our able and
progressive htate anu
! 10 which our schools will gradually
come. and when they do you will not
. have to ask Of the young man or wo-
! man standing on the threshold of
business life what are you going to
be- but what are you.
This special education will adopt
! itself to the girls as Well as the boys.
! and those who do not nave to earn
their own living. as well as those who
! DO, will be educated In those domes-
Tic duties which are 80 necessary
: TO the comfort and enjoyment OF
I home, and weich contribute so much
! 20 the efficiency OF those who main
tain the home. The good. wife and
home maker earns quite as much Of
: her husbands income as he does. and
! IL as much entitled to snare in its
y benefits.
! II ID not necessary to say that
man so educated will be a good citi-
Z ZEN, any more than 1t Ia necessary to
say that In the mind of the man
: whose moral nature has been highly
\ developed no social, educational or
; moral hereeies will be found to threat
: en- the peace and well being OF So
! ctety. This training will develop the
! highest powers Of the individual. and
!. with an ever increasing force will
\ constantly add TO his capacity for
I happiness anu MS aDility 10 pFo0ucc
: those things which add to the COM
! FORT happiness and progress OF the
/. State.
: It follows. therefore. that It is to
: the best interests OF the State to at
Z ford TO ita citixens the means and
! opportunities for the broader educa-
]. ton which the spirit OF the tirnes
demands and which means real ply
! steal. moral and mental progress It
I should also protect and cherish its
= children In every possible way. keep
! Ing from them every temptation like.
. " to turn their feet into forbidden
paths. and II to these efforts on the
part Of our State there may he added
gin the future, a. In the past. the home
skraining Of pure. courageous and god
Nv parents. ltSis safe 70 say that old
virginia will grow stronger, richer
nd bettsE With svsry. comias yaaS4