The Normal Record. June 1897

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50'dOS'
THE NORMAL RECORD.
study, is the fundamental means of communication between persons. It is, in fact, language which marks the distinction between
man and the lower animals. It is valuable,
not only as a means of ready intercourse between minds, but also blocks up and helps to
call out the mind that gave it utterance. It
is a means by which a record of man's
progress is kept, and being sujh, is the
means of progress. The fact that the individual's progress is analogous to that of the
race has been well demonstrated. By means
of language it is possible for the individual to
add to himself the experience of the race.
The importance which this fact places on
language, demands that it be kept pure and
expressed in such a form that it will not be
misunderstood. Thus we see that the study
of language, in its general sense, makes it
possible for man to progress. This value is
sufficient to give it an important position in
education.
Let us now consider the study of English a
little more in detail. English Literature is
a collection of the highest conceptions of life
that men have idealized. Advance must be
made from the highest point already reached.
Then from our definition of education we see
that English study is the. greatest help we
can secure in the progress of learning. It
brings the student into sympathy with the
greatest minds of all ages, and gaining much
or little from each, which he compares with
his own conceptions, he is enabled to formulate a high ideal of life. In as far as we
think the thoughts of others, we  tend to be
come like others. The study of English
offers one the highest thoughts of the noblest
minds. Then, if the student selects and
makes his own, the best thoughts of others,
he is able to form a higher ideal of life than
has yet been formed. This is the value of
English study. These statements I offer as
self-evident; therefore no further argument
is needed to substantiate them.
Now we come to deal with a secondary
problem, the solution of which is of vital importance. How should English bs taught ?
In the first place, children should be placed
where they hear nothing but good English.
Such a condition would save a great deal of
tedious grammar work. English study should
begin early and last throughout the entire
course of study. Always using good form,
the subject matter should be such as will
appeal to the student. If the development
of the individual be analogous to that of the
race, then the individual should have presented to him that stage of race development
which corresponds to his own. This is in
fact a law which governs education throughout; but which many teachers ignore, and
then cannot understand why their pupils do
not advance more rapidly.
The main object in all English work should
be an understanding of the subject matter.
Let the student get the author's thought at
one reading if he can ; if he cannot, analyze
it until he can. Too close analysis is often
dangerous. A moral embodied in the language of a genius often appeals to one's
batter nature, when the same truth in another
form would arouse a rebellious spirit.
Love,   Ambition,  and Duty.
E.   T.   H.
Love, Ambition, and Duty, the three
ruling passions of life, were warring over
the destiny of a human being, and to settle
the matter peaceably, chose Intelligence to
hear and judge their case, which ran in this
manner:
Love claims to have been the first to see
this human being, and to have won his heart
through a mother's love. When she would
have transferred his affections directly to
herself, Ambition interfered with the claim
that she had a broader and a grander career
planned for him. She had been watching
him, her favorite, many years through his
childhood and boyhood, and now wished to
endow him with power, fame and wealth.
Here Duty brought in her claim of a purer
and a diviner purpose, together with a right,
God-given.
It was difficult to believe that dainty Love,
with her delicate and child-like beauty and
gentle simplicity, could show such a jealous
and passionate spirit toward her two companions as she did.    And proud Ambition, in