The Nevada County picayune., 1911-04-14

what is generally termed civilization. This light spread to the westward, ana with it man became better and better equipped for the struggle of life. lie became better qualified spiritually, mentally and physically. He reeos- ni2ed his specific nature and his su- periority over the balance Of cfea- tion. And from his spiritual feeling he realized that he was rapidly acqulf- ing a knowledge of things the posses. sion of which Characterizes nln ds the highest and nobiest object in the an.- nal kingdom,
 The light of knowledge flooding the world. however, is just like the udai wave as it approaches the shore, Ill ing first the crevices on the outer side of the rocks, then as It Tecedes those on the side toward the land. It seems to be somewhat beyond the control or human desire and is rather matter of coincidence.
 This light travelling from the east brought happiness to mankind. l. taught uim the value of nature 10 him; taught him that by fostering nature he could enjoy many pleasures not before known to him. But in few dark days of times past the light oi learning f1ickered only in certain Sc. cluded spots A little learning had come to be a dangerous weapon in the hands of some men. Knowledge or the powers of might led large part of mankind astray, and even today government by influence holds sway in certain quarters rather than gov ernment by knowledge of the needs of the people
 This light of civilization, l say, tray eled from the east. Jt invaded Eu- rope, England and the Americas. But examine, if you please, the results.
 It is said that civilization was born in Babylon; that Egypt once had civ ilization which fourished upon the fertility brought by the Nile from the interior of the continent; that Pales- tine was once a land of milk and honey, the promised land of a chosen tribe but for long time these coun- tries have been the home of wandering Arabs and curious tourists. They were great in their day. They fur nished happiness to their people by developing human knowledge, but the tidal wave left one crevice in the rocks unflled-the creyice of indus trial education.
 Reaching Europe, the wave of knoTl- edge brought prosperity to the people there, and in due time the learned professions became more highly deve,' oped and there was something better for every man to look forward to. But again a crevice was passed by. the nook which should have been filled with that knowledge which teaches the aristocracy of industry.
 Reaching America, our tidal wave is now going to be defiected back over the route it has been travelling for centuries, and, as with the traveller who turns to review the road he has just covered, we find presented dir fcrent field of vision.
 In America the mingling of indus trial education with the triumyirate of law, medicine and theology has oc- casioned some anxiety on the part of some educators. Along with the old style liberal education the learned professions have been primary ob- jects with most students. These seem to have coupled with them both the idea of well-being and that of easy living But, alas, overcrowding any profession or calling makes living difficult.
 The question Is asked, what. then. must be done to correct the defects of our educational system? The an swer is, to fill in the hooks and cor. ners which have remained empty so long; to develop that form of educa- tion which places industry on a level with all fields Of activity and to teach mankind the true relationship of hand. iwork to mental energy.
 The anxiety above referred to has special reference to the manner in which subject should be taught so as not to create class distinction. As regards education In agriculture We hear the warning note not to es- tablish separate schools, as such q procedure would tend to peasantize the farmer. But in liberty-loving America peasantizing the farmer is an impossibility. In Europe the peasant schools probably tend to keep country people always peasants That in itself is a good thing if We are permitted to use the term peasant somewhat anonymously with the word farmer D If they tend to keep the peasants a subservient class, though, they are nlenaces to progress In either case, however. teaching agriculture tends to make the country people freer. as only government by influence can hold one class subseryient 10 another.
 In America one approaches the peas.