The Caledonian-record. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1920-current, 1922-06-15

course Of study, in which whatever
is undertaken, shall be thoroughly
Investigated and understood be-
fore it is dismissed. A very few
studies, iudiciously selected and
prosecuted in this way, tho with
much expense of patience on the
part of the pupil, will better quail
~ him for any station in after life,
than a superficial acquaintance
with the whole circle of studies
prosecuted in the schools.
"'The projectors of the School
entertained the opinion
that the primary object of educa-
ton, is to draw out and discipline
the mental and moral faculties,
and that the accumulation of
knowledge should be subsidiary to
this
"Such was the founding of st.
Johnsbury Academy. In each of
the sevcnty-nine ensuing years a
group of young men and women
has left its portals just as you are
now leaving. You are carrying on
the traditions and sharing in the
heritage of those years. Is it not
good to feel ourselves linked with
that long procession of graduating
classes and will you not proudly
watch other ,lasses year by year
as they take their places in the
ranks?
"And now friends of the Class
Of 1922, as to this graduation day
which is all your own, | have 4
request to make of you which |
ask YOU to consider in lieu of all
The good advice which the occa-
sion calls for but which am
wholly incompetent to attempt.
Inded, | fear you might not long
'emember such counsels if essay
ed. | confess that when your
good principal asked me to speak
o YOU | tried to recall what was
aid to my class sitting in these
anne pcWs tWonty-tnree years ago
md for the life of me, could not
)ring to mind one word or one
dea. So let me simply entreat
me thing of YOU as capable
Dung Americans just coming to
ears of accomplishment namely
hat you regard the completion of
our work at st. Johnsbury Acad-
my not as the ending but as the
rue commencement of your edu-
alton, To catch the full mean
ng of that request, let Us agree
to what education really I'M
tIinG Thngn Of nn I1NyD
tudicd the classics know that the
word "cducatc' is derived from f
'uco, meaning to lead forth of its
ltent powers, not primarily the
.bsorption of many facts, but the
raining for accomplishment, the
apacity for constant growth and
expansion.
"Thc stately elms that surround
)ur Academy buildings draw in
ir and water from without but
heir growth is from within, year
y unfolding their leaves and add
ng to their stature that they may
ford US their shade and teach Us
essons of patience and ViMlity.
The storage battery is not useful
lerely because of its capacity to
absorb the electric current but be-
cause it is able to pour forth again
he accumulated energy.
"To the student cngrossed in the
ong routine of class room and |
he consumption of midnight oil,
his may appear a reversal of the |
ruth. To absorb learning seems
he chief end of schooling. But |
note once more the words of the |
'ounder in 1912, "That the prim-
airy object Of education is to draw |
)ut and discipline the mental and |
moral faculties and that the accu
mutation of knowledge should be
subsidiary to this"
at does not matter so much |
what you have studied if you have
earned to study effectively. Your
'aithful teachers will not take it
miss if | say that you cannot be
expected to long remember the de
ails of what they have taught
you. Certainly | should not like
o be confronted with the task OF
passing the examinations you have
ust surrounded, Have you for
his reason failed to obtain start
your education? BY no means
Have you not frequently felt an
immense satisfaction as you have
mastered some difficult prob
EN- or grasped clearly some
principle till then a bit hazy in
sour mind? Every such occasion
las meant rcadicr accomplish
ncnt at the next trial. 1t is just
hat constantly growing capacity
or mastery in which true educa-
ion consists,-that ability to lead
oneself up out of the fog into the
light of clear thinking and express
sion.
my request to you then means
simply TO cultivate cndleSsly and
)ersistontly his habit of mastery,
his unfolding of your latent pow
RS of mind and spirit If you are
able to take the next step by go
ny to college, by all means do so.
| know however that some of you
,annot and others choose not to
TO this, and | shall have failed
utterly to convey my thought if ,
YOU should gain the impression /
hat your further education hangs
solely upon further attendance at
school or college. My plea is that
you carry the will for education
nto whatever occupation you pur-
sue and so long as you live
LET Us be concrete. Suppose
! young man gets his first Job in
an insurance office. Before him
lie noSonly he chance and the
duty to make q living but n great l.