The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1913-09-04
BULLETIN OF THE SOCIALIST
EDUCATIONAL BUREAU.
THE STUDY CLUB.

] VIII seem very strange. Much VIII
have to be learned that is new and
startling, and much will have to be
unlearned.
For in order to get any good out
Of this course we must study each les
son faithfully and enthusiastically be-
1 fore the night of the meeting. We
should take notes, read up every pos
sible reference, and learn to use good
encyclopedias if we can get our hands
on them. Mere reading is not enough
for the mastery of any subject TAX
ing notes, writing comments, and
above all the dramatic moment of de-
bate and discussion help make facts
stand up and walk around in the mind.
The matter that we are to study is
vital 1t has to do with the ways in
which we have been shaped to what
we are. It has to do with the ways in
which we have been shaped to what
we are 1t has to do with the struggles
of our fore-fathers and fore-mothers
recorded history that our deepest and
most soul-stirring interest lies. 1t is
by a study of this historical conflict
of our prosecuted parents fighting to
raise the standard of life in the face
of indescribable tortures and unbe-
lievable deaths that we are led to see
our own relation to the productive
processes of today.
To study history or science as a
sort of mental gymastic just as re-
dictionary pedagogues compel children
to study long LESSONS in Latin is not
the aim of this course. The cry OF
the suffering through the ages has
been. "Give us this day our daily
bread!" And if the things that we
study do not bear directly on this prob
lem of our daily bread they are not
only useless but are vicious and po1s-
onous to the mind. That is why the
state executive committee has select
ed books that are at once simple, vital,
and bearing directly upon the problem
of the ages-our daily bread
It is to be hoped that by this time
every local has on hand copies OF
THE WORKERS IN AMERICAN HIS
TORY, by James Oneal published by
Kerr at fifty cents in paper and
dollar in CLOTH. This will be our first
book, our primer. After it will come
that brilliant ten cent pamphlet, EVO-
LTJTION AND REVOLUTION, by
Mark Fisher published by Kerr and
tnaC CLASSIC work s. E,n gels, 81 AL
ISM. UTOPIAN AND SCIENTIFIC.
Let us suppose that you have met
tonight for study, that you have Sc
lected a leader and such other officers
as you may desire, and that you nave
in yours hands Oneals History. Thls
is our first lesson and we must be
real easy on each other. Suppose that
lust to get started we get lead pencils
and while reading over the preface
silently together we take notes ana
make criticisms friendly or otherwise
BE perfectly frank in notes and crlt1-
cisms. Don't stultify yourself for any
body. Be a judge and learn to judge
keenly and fearlessly.
Now we are ready to begin. With
your notes and your OPEN books De-
fore you the leader may begin IL ne
has nothing better at hand and fire
such questions at you as these:
"What seems to be the authors ldea
of what history should be-" rs he
sound in taking this View?" what
is the great man theory mentioned
here?" Compare the significance OF
the courtship of Miles Standish with
the social significance of lndehtureu
servitude reaching into every nook
and Granny of the new world" "Which
do YOU think more important, great
hattie or a great invention? Let us
get I'D a little impromptu debate on
This" 'Why do the rulers of today
try to make us believe that history
is mostly the biography of great men
'eWhy do they emphasize political al
fairs so much and belittle Industrial
development by quite emitting all
comprehensive reference to 1t.
Now you can do the rest yourselves
in this lesson. But let me say that II
Won let a few Of the males answer all
these questions you will help Kill your
club. Women and girls have brains
and rights. At the close of the DIS
cussion have something in the way OF
program-some fun. Don't talk an
night. Make some kind Of joyful
noise.
Read the Socialist papers for the
next lession. It will be chapter one.
The leader may make assignments to
individuals for study.
]. e. SINCLAIR
Arlington, Wash.
.