The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1914-01-22

those who pursue the course will do
but superficial work and achieve but a
smattering of culture.
The same criticism may be as justly
made regarding the average college
course, tho, in a somewhat lesser de-
degree. The graduates from all our
educational institutions, if they have
really profited by their advantages,
know that graduation means, above all
else, that their knowledge is most
ragmentary-andt their education just
begun.
The idea that school should cease at
a certain age and education be cut off
when people go to work is lament
able mistake. Mental arrest is usually
followed by moral decay. Education
should end only with life"
A question may justly arise as to
the value of the certificates and d.
plomas to be awarded by the Associa.
ton. Will they have and wear educa-
tional significance?
Most certainly if the recipient has
read the books with interest: if he has
made a written synopsis of one or all
of them: if he has meditated on their
| contents: if he has formed the habit
or reading for purpose: if he has
| discussed the contents of the book
with his neighbors, friends or family:
if he has men with others in study
club for discussion and research: if he
has realized how little he knows and
how much he has to learn: if his men,
tai horizon and spiritual vision have
been enlarged: if his sectarion narrow
ness and denominational bigarty have
! been modified.
If any one of these things has been
accomplished a member may look
upon his diploma with pride-it will
have real significance.
Our country grows rich with an aw-
full and amazing speed. In twenty
four years the wealth of America has
increased three-fold, the time has ar
rived when we can afford to give time
to culture, to spend money on refine
ment.
Twenty minutes day Of systematic
reading during three year course
will UNNECESSARILY broaden the mental
horizon and enrich the understanding
Good books are the bes. Of com
panions. DR.. Johnson says: "The
most miserable man alive is he who
cannot read on winter e7 ening.''
The book lover can choose his COM
pany. He gets into the best society at
once by going to his beck shelves. The
poet, the historian, the scientist, the
novelist, the philosopher, the theolo"
| gisn are all his intimate friends.
Books are we'll bred. They put on
no airs. They make no class distinc-
tons. They do not slight us because
of our clothes or lack of wealth.
Books determine destiny. Charles
Dickens used to say that he might
have grown up thief, or cut-throat
had he not learned, as a forlorn child,
in a London garnet, to read the great
masterpieces of English literature.
We read that the world was once de-
stroyed by flood Of water. There is
danger today that it will again be de-
stroyed, this time by food of ink.
Libraries, at one time religiously pre-
served everything written. Today they
have cremation furnices in which they
destroy vast quantities of books not
worth preserving.
There is prevailing pestilence of de-
structive, slovenly, desultory and ef-
Terminate reading the only effective
cure for which is systematic choice
and careful direction.
This selection and supervision it is
the purpose of the Chautauqua Read.
ing Course to provide. All surplus
revenues resulting from the enterprise
will be devoted to the up-building of
the institution.
| The movement Is well under way, a
most capable and cultured young lady
} is doing the field work and meeting
with great success. Wherever the
work is presented it receives hearty
welcome and ready acceptance. Clubs
are being formed in all adjacent terri
tory, buth in town and country, and a
monthly magazine in the interest OF
the work will shortly be issued.
1t is safe to say that no worthier or
more ambitious project has ever been
originated in any city in the North
west. AS the movement now stands
there is no question of success or fail
ure but only one of how great sue
. cess the people of this city wish to
make it.
From what the writer knows, after
} sounding the sentiment, in every part