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CHRISTIAN
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n his driving bargains. It often
appens that among our leading
enerals, among our greatest states-
Bii, Buiviig 'th* theologians of
minence, are men of cultured and
uling intellects, who have not had
ery excellent advantages, yeAave
aster minds. It often happens
hat the boy 'of the neighborhood
hat fails to pass his examinations,
ets a poor standing in his recita-
ions, is called the block-head, in
ater years turns out to be more
_—u*a.n, ihns»» ti ha kagflmajk.
rpass him in Iris school oays.
why are we surprised ? For
Wwo reasons, first his ability lay in
a different channel, it manifested
«self in a different way than that
ly it was
isinterpreced, it was misunder-
ood. It may be the criteria of
judgment were facts quoted from
highest power of mini. Now
memory is very useful, it is indis­
pensable, but should hold a second
nk as compared to the reasoning
culty. We, by observation,
Wather facts, by using the judgment,
|we note their similarity or dissimi-
arity, with the memory we are
hold the-
or data of reason, and if we fail to
reason, all this work is nearly in
vain. Then to educate one is to
¡perfect his being as nearly as
possible. It is to develop his
apabilities for power. In order to
uccessfully and intelligently do
this we must study the mind, learn
Jthe laws of its growth, and the
order in which the various faculties
develop themselves into prominence,
rof. Wickersham says: “It is
known that the use oF one part of
the body develops that portion
while it has little effect upon the
remainder. Similarly we may cul­
tivate the intellect without speci-
lly encouraging the growth of the
hysical organism, and we may
cultivate separately and in a ditter-
nt manner the different faculties
f the intellect. It requires one
Jrnode of culture to . educate the
_
’"Msenses and-the perceptive faculties,
^another to strengthen the memory
fmd still others to develop the
powers of imagination, comparison
and reason. Each intellectual
-power differs from the others in its
jKiature, in its mode of operation,
Knd modes of culture must adapt
Iphemselves to these differences. In
order then not to work blindly we
ould inform ourselves as to which
articular faculty of the mind we
■ wm |
HERALD.
-J
ignorant of the great law of special ture as will be hurtful to the mind. to judge from their countenances,
training for special faculties.” The Then in view of this argument since are,“ We will conclude by singing
a hymn.” Their hearts are not
perceptive powers should be largely we desire power, mental, physical, there, and what good will they re­
^y ijuih.liiHd jnor alo M i wer, and since the ob- vive ? As well might they keep
In the first place the knowledge ject of education is to train and in­ their eyesT'on their watched,their
gained through the senses is of struct the pupil that he may grow private devotions, to see when to
great utility and very important as to manhood and approximate as stop, and call it a prayer, and ex­
to receive a blessing.
constituting the basis of all the nearly as may be to that full, com­ pect
I have seen all kinds of methods
sciences. Our greatest scientists plete and perfect human being that adopted to prevent meetings from
began their researches into the was intended by his Creator he running in a rut ; quartette sing­
hidden laws of nature when child­ should be, and since his perceptive ing, solo singing, repetition of ver­
ren by examining through one or powers are more susceptible of ses, and extracts from other books
all the five senses properties of the cultivation in childhood than when than the Bible ; but those who go
from principle, and to be profited,
pbjeqtsj>bout them. The physical he is older, and also the knowledge derive little real benefit from novel­
philosopher is onTj7
ascertain the laws through which since the matured mind more easily soon tire of any devices or machin--
nature’s forces act, and to apply understands abstract thought than ery invented to interest them. It .
them to his use by making them the immatured mind, it seems to is a great point to have a subject
which is understood beforehand, as
work for him. lie is trying togain follow that we may very naturally the one to which attention will be
nower He is Miuulv- rrv na to JLrain the child to perceive, to com- directed. Then proper preparation
find out what is and how it is. Who pare, to discriminate, to hold the can TRy-muile, aild continuity or ..
has not watched the eagerness with facts in the memory, to reflect upon thought secured. When there is a
which the younger scientist grasps them, to reason upon them in his scattering fire along the whole line
of faith and works and hope and joy
w he, own wav by bringing before him 4ind love and zeal, and every other
may be enabled to better under­ as much as possible (lie objects ~cir Christian gracK
stand the peculiar properties of it the representatives of objects of na­ exclaiming, “ To what purpose is
through the sense of touch and ture. Object teaching may be this waste ?” How much better to
gratify his feeling of wonder. It is made a hobby, and be subversive make a united attack upon one
point!
wonder that causes the aged scien­ to its intended use, yet certainly
There is a certain class of breth­
tist to labor so hard to unravel the the. . . . art of teaching by the use of ren., it must be owned, who are a
occult powers of the universe, and object lessons can bo fruitful in drag upon prayer-meetings. TKey~
it is wonder that impels the child promoting the development of the “ feel to speak a few words,” and,
in
to_tj^tex smell, human economy in attaining.-power. lo I they are many. They have no
gift to. edify, ap^seem never to sus­
hear, see, and touch or handle as
pect it. Oh, what "sufferings liave-
A Woman’s Thought of It.
many different things and in as
been endured by sensitive saints
many different ways as possible.
I am a woman. I neither speak when certain persons, known and
It is easy for one to remember that nor pray in public, but I am deep­ dreaded, have risen to express them­
in which he is interested. The ly interested in the prayer-meeting selves ! But the Lord is very patient
mind will natura’ly reflect upon question discussed in some of your with bad grammar and stammering
and why should his people
that which it loves. It is easy to recent issues. There are multitud­ tongues,
be over fastidious ? If a man’s spirit
teachr it and train it by using illus­ es who feel that they_need this is right, if he -has the root of the
trations it is able to understand. means of grace, amid varied cares matter in him, and does not talk
The child may not be able to grasp and trials, to help lift them to a against time, or to show himself oft’,
the thought contained in an ab- higher life, They go hand in-hand- it ought not to spoil a meeting—•
though he asks the Lord, as a
stract solution of a problem in hand with the services of God’s even
certain very good illiterate man al­
mental arithmetic, yet be very house’ and when ^tliese are done ways did, “ to convey us safely,
bright to acquire knowledge adapt­ away; and no sooner, do I believe when we part, to our respectable,
ed to its advancement in reasoning they will die out in the churches. abodes.” Our Savior when on earth
closely associated with humble
Studies that lequire much abstract,
Now, how to make them inter­ was
reasoning are very likely to weary esting, as that word is generally de­ men of no education, but their hearts
burned with the fire which love
ar*l blight the young mind by fined, does not seem to me a ques­ had kindled. If we had more of
using modes of thought and ex­ tion which should greatly agitate this spirit we should not complain
pressions he (p.ils to comprehend, devout Christians, or even those of unintersting services ony more
and thus render him inattentive who are inclining to ward a religi­ than did these early disciples, though
and listless. It is easier to theorize ous life. When the heart is in a it is to be feared if they were to ap­
pear and speak in one of our meet­
on these things than to tell exactly, waiting attitude to receive a bless- ings, they would be voted hardly
ing; when there is individual con­
when we come to the practical edu-_ secration
and -personal piety, or a intelligentenough toedify the Chris­
cation of the young mind, just what longing for these, the spirit will tians of 1883.
he should, and what he should not carry home simple singing and
Finally, with all the modesty in­
study. Though it does seem that praying, and will comfort and build herent to the sex, I must say, the
we may teach the child to dis- up the devout worshiper as noth­ best meetings 1 have ever attended
have been those conducted by wo­
else will do.
ciminate without overtaxing his ing However
a prayer-meeting may men. Their exercises are generally
mental faculties, we may introduce be conducted, there are some peo­ fervid and short, and, owing to their
to him objects to be compared ple who always whichthe clock, timidity, and want of. self-reliance,
which .will involve in discrimina­ even craning their necks to accom­ perhaps, they make thorough pre­
tion of them the process of reason­ plish this object. If a brother, out paration. This last hint I would
commend to all who man­
ing equal in .mint'd drill to that of a full heart, overruns the sixty especially
minutes allotted to this service, age prayer-meetings and Lp.il to
yiven in arithmetical solutions, but they exhibit real impatience. The make them interesting.—J. L. P. in
will not be of such an abstract na- most soul-satisfying words spoken, Christian Union.
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