Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1920-10-21
FORT MILLS EDUCATIONAL
!, OPPORTUNITY.
twritten for The Times

fwritten for The Times.
It has been truly said that at least
three things are essential to a COM
plete educational equipment These
necessary things are bricks. books
and brains. a definition OF college,"
given years ago. was. Mark Hopkins
on one end OF n log and student on
the other" Here was brains and
character moulding and impressing
brains and character without the
mediation OF 'bricks." Contact be-
tween teacher and pupil was the
main thing. This contact obtained.
whether with bricks or without
them. the desired end is secured.
without the use OF the log or
bricks" and with but few books"
These few were used wisely and
we'll. however, and their lessons
thoroughly learned. Such men as
Lincoln and Johnson, who could not
go to school. and here and there one
like Washington Irving. that genius
of early American literature, who
nlso could not go, were self educat-
cd. IL one has the alphabet he has
the "key to all, knowledge" All may
have this. Then WHY should any re-
main uneducated? Books on all sub
ects may be secured at small cost,
so that those who have education In
sufficient nr,otIrt 70 make a begin
ming may greatly widen the sphere
of their knowledge along many lines,
scientific. historical, literary and
practical. E.ss. Es
Fort Mill was formerly looked upon
ms sort of literary center, a place to
which students came from other Sec
tons to secure intellectual training.
Perhaps the literary circle was mar
rover then than II may be now, for
the opportunity was no doubt denied
70 many at that time to whom the
door of opportunity is wide open
now. Not only have all the people
the privilege. of sending their chill
Gren TO school at this time. but for
the sake of the child and the State
they are compelled to send them.
The people OF Fort Mill never had
a better opportunity to educate their
children than they have at this time.
Fort Mill Is we'll equipped with
bricks, books and brains" The new
bpilding, just about completed. and
furnishing as IL does a number Of
much needed class rooms and COM
r,.odious auditorium. adds greatly to
the supply of bricks" and is orna-
mental as well as useful. There is a
great deal that might be done to en-
hance the beauty of the grounds, but
this can be done only by complete
and sympathetic cooperation be-
tween officials and faculty patrons
and pupils. Would II not be well to
observe Community day" in the near
future and give everybody chance
to, show their love for the school and
their interest In the education of
their children in this practical way.
which is fine brand OF patriotism?
To this equipment we have well ar
ranged courses OF study, planned to
give harmonious development to all
of the faculties OF the pupils. and an
ample supply of books for the teach
Ing Of these courses. SO much for
the bricks and the books" These
are necessary to the best and most
successful work I'm matters Of educa-
sion. We also have. in an unusual
degree, the third and most important
element in the trio" and that Is the
brains" The Fort Mill school is for
tunate in having a full. able. consci-
entious. we'll prepared and hard
working faculty. But however able
and CONSCIENTIOUS the teachers may
be. and however earnest in their de-
sire to benefit their pupils. their work
will he largely nullified unless their
efforts both in the matter of disci-
pline and that OF instruction are re-
irforced by paternal influence and
authority. We also have the "brains'
to be developed and trained. Nearly
five hundred bright. healthy children!
What an opportunity we have to give
them the proper training. What a
privilege they have In the facilities
offered in the Fort Mill school at
present! ] was in a country school
some time ago where the equipment
is meager and the school term only
four months in a year. Do the pu-
pills In the Fort Mill school appreci-
ate their opportunity? May they
have a fuller appreciation, of that
opportunity than ever before and a
keener sense of the obligation grow
ing out of'it. And may we all. pa
irons. pupils, teachers and others
work together for the upbuilding of
our school and for the development
of character strong and noble, In the
children. for this Is the true end of
all education. j. w. II. ID.
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