The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1918-04-11
Education and the Tasks Of Life

There is a notion prevalent amonS
many that education is only for those
who are planning to engage in some
profession, and that education is un-
necessary for those who are to en-
gage i'll what are commonly known
as the lowlier tasks of life. They
regard education only as an asset in
the making of money. 1t is to be
regretted that there are SO many peo-
pie whose highest conception of the
purpose of education is to furnish
one with the power to acquire
wealth. 1t is we'll to call attention to
the money value of an education in
these days of practically. but we
must not emphasize this to the neg
lect Of the deeper and far more fun
damental reason for education, that
OF training the heart and mind and
the strengthening of the moral and
spiritual forces. latent in every hu-
man life.
The sentence has been in a recent
issue. but is SO appropriate here that
IL is quoted again. IF l knew my
boy were to be a ditch-digger
would want first to give him a finish
ed college education" SAYS William
Jennings Bryan.
Is it inconsistent that the ditch
digger be versed in the lines of
Shakespeare, or that he be able to de-
light himself in the beauties of
Homer or Virgil? Will he not be a
more valuable man in the ditch. in
his home, in his community. for his
association with great minds of the
ages through education, even though.
during the daylight hours he turns
his hand to the lowly task of digging
a ditch?
These are the true objects of edu-
awakening of our best sympathies.
cation according to Headley: THE
the cultivation Of our best and purest
tastes, Strengthening the desire to
BE- useful and good. and directing
youthful ambition to unselfish ends.'
Are these objects OF such a nature
that they should be withheld from
the great mass Of humanity, objects
only TO be strived for by those. per
chance, who earn their living in the
life?
Inc great mass of people too long
nave dwelt in the land Of the real.
Ihey need for a time to be introduce
ed into the world of the abstract. the
world Of dreams. the world OF vision
"hat a benediction in the life OF the
most humble workman. If, after the
tasks of the day have wearied. and
trials and cares have discouraged. he
can raise himself above his sordid
surroundings, forget the material
world about him. and dwell In that
land in which there are visions too
wonderful for pen to record. and
thoughts too deep for human utter
ance! An article could be written
on the place Of meditation in the
making OF great life. Is not there
dangerous tendency in this present
day world to forget to mediate? The
right kind of an education will teach
us the art Of meditation.
Education will not only lead us
into this world OF meditation. but
will inspire us with q love for tho
more lasting and permanent things
OF lire a great cry is being made
In behalf OF the laboring man by the
moving picture shows. Let the
shows remain open on Sunday. The
poor fellow who labors all week
needs recreation" is their cry. Edu-
cation of the right sort will teach a
man 10 be independent of the transit
ory and fleeting pleasures. pleasures
that at the most are a D,ais to the
baser things of life. The strength of
the appeal of the cheap vaudeville
and the moving picture lies in the