Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-09-03

Ever since the dawn OF creation man
has been engaged In Titanic strug-
gle While the outcome has never been
in doubt. II has determined the extent
OF his ability 10 dominate the Affairs
Of the universe. The cause OF this mo-
mentous struggle has been the EFFORT on
the part OF man to reduce the infinite
70 the Unite; 70 translate the unknown
into the concrete; and 10 subiugate the
imperial forces OF nature TO his service
through the controlling power OF q train
ed intellect The law formulated in re-
cent times BY Darwin. the struggle for
existence" is as old as time, and APP
piled as strongly TO the cave man as 70
tire generation OF today. In an effort 70
survive In the midst OF unfriendly sur
roundings. IL is easy TO Imagine how
cur prehistoric ancestors sought for the
knowledge which was 20 bring their de-
kcendants that power OF achievement
over material things which has proved
q be the browning glory OF our modern
civilization. IL is not easy 10 appreciate
how through succeeding ages and gener-
ations slight accessions to our knovl-
edge have led us onward and upward
Until We may epitomize our appreciation
OF education in some such phrase as
''educats a nation ana II will fulnll a
destiny" Some such sentiment as this
actuated the ancient philosophers in
their search for truth. and caused them
70 gather about some leader OF renown
for the purpose OF conference and study
that they might obtain an insight into
the mysteries OF life and death In the
highly superstitious and contentious era
n which they lived Although some or
these men were no doubt concerned in
the erection Of altar 20 the unknown
God" about which Paul writes so in
stFuctively. they -builded better than
they knew" for they planted the germ
out OF which has been evolved the mod
ern university. No doubt they felt
some such Inspiration as Goethe has por-
trayed in
art httIeg
DO thy little well.
And for thy comfort know
Great men can do their greatest work
No better than just So"
The history OF the rise and progress
OF higher education is certainly inspir-
ing. for IL illustrates clearly the ardu-
Gus sf0rts with which -concrete knowl-
edge has been acquired and the serious
mistakes sometimes made by those who
through intellectual opportunity should
have been in position TO lead Us sue
cessfuliy in our search for truths OF
fundamental Importance. II emphasizes
also the dif5culty OF expounding a true
philosophy or maintaining a basic type
OF education in the absence OF adequate
laboratory facilities and efficient scien-
tihc apparatus with which 70 Judge and
measure accurately the psychic or physi-
cal forces OF nature and their relation
70 each other. II demonstrates the ne
along biologic lines for more progress
has been made within the period since
the cell and It's contents was estab-
lished as "the physical basis OF life"
in plants and animals than In all the
centuries antedaung this epoch-making
discovery.
The word university in its original
sense meant simply a scholastic guild;
that is. a concourse In which teachers
or teachers and scholars met Later,
these centers OF learning were incor-
porated for their own protection, and
finally became chartered institutions.
Originally. the university was a pagan
conception: later IL came under the
surveillance or patronage Of religious
examinations In order that the doc
trinss Of the church might exert great
er influence in nationaz affairs. the
scope o. the -church-scnools or uni
versities-was somewhat enlarged. In
the course 81 tine education passed
very largely out from under the control
OF the church TO that OF the state. due
10 the introduction OF new subjects or
study, the adoption OF new methods OF
teaching. and the growing tendency 70
organize for national protection and
the advancement OF commerce and in
dustries incident 70 the welfare OF the
several nations concerned An attempt
has been made TO compress into a para
graph the history Of a movement which
ultimately established rree speech and
Institutions throughout continental
Europe
Passing now TO a consideration Of
the progress OF higher education in the