The theocrat. [volume] (Zion City [i.e. Zion], Ill.) 1914-1949, 1919-07-26
Manual Training

In this department. there are twenty
work benches and twenty sets OF tools be-
sides considerable other equipment
About one hundred boys have taken the
course this year, and whilea good showing
has been made, considering the equipment,
from $1,000 to $500 worth of addi-
used in the Manual Training Department.
A course in Manual Training is of great
practical benefit to anyone, whether expect
ing to engage in any of the mechanical
trades or not There are always many
things to be done around the home, and the
man-or woman either-who is handy with
tools can save many carpenters bill.
To anyone expecting to become pro-
fessional mechanic, the course forms an
excellent foundation for the work, as a
young man, after taking it, will not be re-
quired to serve long apprenticeship at
low wages, but will be able to perform
skilled labor much sooner and perhaps step
into responsible position as foreman or
superintendent
One of the leading advantages of the
course is that it teaches boy the habit of
planning his work. Students, therefore,
are not helped by the instructor more than
is absolutely necessary, but after receiving
a few clear directions are required to study
out their own designs so far as possible.
In this way, they acquire self-reliance and
originality.
How many of us have heard men and
women, when asked to perform duty,
reply, ooh, | cannot do itp' Why cannot
they do it? Because they never have de-
veloped initiative never have learned to
depend upon their own resources. 1t is
amazing what we can do if we just think
we can and start in, determined to over
come all obstacles
The development of originality has es-
pecially been brought out in the way of
drawing For instance, the pupils were
given drawing plates divided into six spaces,
four with drawings from the book and two
to be filled in by the pupil with original
drawings.
The instructor, upon reviewing work
done under this method, has been surprised
and delighted Much of it is unique in its
originality and so neatly executed that one
can hardly distinguish it from that in the
book.
This year, some of the boys asked the in
structor if they could build boat. There
a boat especially if he has made it himself
The instructor gave the permission. Con-
sequently, two beautiful boats formed an
attractive feature of the exhibit-rot toys,
but genuine boats, completed in way that
would have done credit to any workman.
One, fat-bottomed fishing boat, was
made entirely of cypress Gone of the most
lasting woods known) except the cleats.
Even the oars were of cypress.
The other skiff, was indeed "a thing
Of beauty" The sidings, consisting of red
wood, were very gracefully and accurately
curved. The frame was of oak and the
boat was very substantially built.
Among the articles on exhibit was IL
brary table made of flat sawed oak, finished
in golden oak and waxed.
There were several other library tables in
various stages of construction, among them,
a quarter sawed oak table which, when COM
pleted, would retail in any furniture store
for sixty dollars at a conservative figure,
according to experienced judges present. |
1t was very solidly made and showed SPLEEN
did workmanship. 1t had futed column
legs fastened with bolts passing from top
to bottom. The joints of the box were
mitered and screwed together on the inside
with corner blocks
There were number of electric table
lamps and one electric light cluster made
from flat sawed oak
Six completed hall trees were on display
and others under construction; also six
taborets of different sizes and shapes.
There was a boys cabinet for personal
belongings, magazine rack, piano bench,
very handsome waste basket and many
other articles which space will not permit
us to mention.
An array Of preliminary bench work en-
abled the visitor to observe the advance
ment which had been made from the crude
efforts of the beginner to beautifully fin
shed cabinet designs.
AS in all other departments of Zion
Schools, one here sees thoroughness. Many
articles of furniture would bring quite
substantial sum if placed on the market.
Indeed they are much more strongly built
than most of the furniture that one buys,
for the reason that factory would not ex-
pend the time and labor on them that is
done here.
The instructor is a practical man. While
he never taught Manual Training except in
Zion Schools, he was formerly an architect
and helped design some large school build
ings containing Manual Training depart
ments In this way he became familiar
with the requirements Of a thorough up-to-