The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-10-12

lation of any definite or workable
plan of improvement.
For example we may ascertain
that the ability Of 1he children of
grade six to spell is unsatisfactory.
We may even go one step further
and announce our intention of
making 100 per cent spoilers. But
unless we select our list of words,
give competent and sufficient in
struction day by day, create in
terest and commander the neceS-
sary concentration and individual
effort, in snort, work out an ade-
quat day-by-day plan, our hopes
will go a glimmering and we shall
meet with disappointment
The necessity of wise planning
is the greater in our work because
we are dealing with active human
beings rather than inert materials.
The whole problem is therefore
more complicated, and the achieve
ment of our purposes may fail
through the influence of other I'M
related and diverting activities. If
we do not plan a definite, absorb
ing program of work to keep pu-
pills busy, we know they plan
their own occupations, often to
our embarrassment and discomf-
ture. If we do not plan a pro
gram for improving school prop
erty, involving enlightenment of
the public, awakening interest and
desire, securing funds, enlisting
aid of children and parents and
aiousing community pride, little
or nothing will be done.
The superintendent or principal
who finds that the pupils are weak
in arithmetic, or fail to pass col
lege entrance examinations, or are
slack in attendance, and who
makes no adequate plans to re-
medy the situation will find them
continuing in the same unsatisfac-
tory condition.
If you or | purpose to improve
our culture and professional equ-
ipment by reading. study and
summer school attendance, but do
not lay out a definite plan for
these ends, books will remain I'M
read, and summer schools will
come and go, giving their inspira
ton and help to others, but not 20
US.
| believe it is clear to everyone
of Us that these three things are
essential for any worthy end and
permanent accomplishments in our
educational work. Each detelmin-
es the other two. There is no use
in making a study of our work un-
less we set forth our purposes and
make our plans to fulfill them.
And the nature of these plans will
be determined by the conditions
we ind and the objects we have
in view.
in sense, we are then like ar
ch;rectS, studying our materials
and resources, determining our
spiritual building and making out
our drawings and specifications.
But if the architect and the build
ers cannot work without blue
prints and specifications, how can
we expect to accomplish the more
difficult task of building up human
souls and a finer American citizen
ship with less definite and ade
quate aids?
But | referred to a fourth e.
sential in our task, and after all it
is the most vital. Without it we
simply build Spanish castles.
You will remember the story Of
Ezekiel's vision of the valley Of
dry bones. "AS he prophesied
there was a noise. and behold a
shaking. and the bones came to-
gether, bone to his bone.
"And when l beheld, 10, the
sinews and the flesh came upon
them, and the skin covered them
above; but there was no breath
in them
So it is with our study our pur-
pose, our plans, if we stop too
soon. They NAV be so perfect that
they will fit together in a beauti-
full whole, with the nicely of the
joints of the BODY, have the
strength of sinew and muscle, and
charm the eve with their external
beauty. But if there be not the
breath of life in them they lie inert
and dead.
Ezekiel prophesied again rs he
Vas commanded and then "The