crone] TRUE NATURE-STUDY 183 



pets and a garden does not care so much for the club and the 

 saloon. 



The greatest idea in the world today is the idea of evolution. It 

 is not conceivable that that idea can be clear without a thorough 

 understanding of nature and her ways. No other idea may so warp 

 character when misunderstood, or so strengthen it when well compre- 

 hended. Fellowship with nature is logical. Our blood and bone are 

 filled with it. From it we get an idea of our origin and a hint of our 

 destiny. 



" The laws of Nature are the thoughts of God." " The heavens 

 declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth Ilis handiwork;' 5 

 but 



"The works of God are fair for naught, 

 Unless our eyes in seeing, 

 See hidden in the thing the thought 

 That animates its being." 



Oh, how blind we are! God is everywhere; in the forms and activi- 

 ties of nature as well as in the hearts of His children. Who is to say 

 but that fellowship with nature soonest leads to fellowship with 

 Him ? 



VIII. Summary 



I have attempted to show that the fundamental source of nature - 

 study should be nature herself; the fundamental scope the world of 

 living things; the fundamental method observations and activities 

 based upon nature herself; and that the fundamental aim is to bring 

 about a loving and sympathetic fellowship with nature, thus affecting 

 character and supplementing education along other lines. It only 

 remains to note the relation of true nature-study to some other sub- 

 jects and I am through. 



There are a number of subjects which are concerned with nature 

 and some phase of each of which has been termed nature-study. 

 One of these is elementary agriculture. Now I thoroughly believe 

 that elementary agriculture is an important subject and deserves a 

 large place in the elementary schools; yet the study of soils, their 

 composition and fertility; of fertilizers and their effects upon plant 

 growth; of insect pests as such; of the economic value of birds; of 

 the varieties of fowls and the breeds of swine, are not true nature- 

 study and should not be called by that name. However, much true 

 nature-study can be done in connection with elementary agriculture. 



