hodgb] ESTABLISHED PRINCIPLES OF NATURE-STUDY 7 



mark the pathway of educational nature-study. Progress or retro- 

 gression in the future will depend upon our application in practice 

 of these established principles in theory. We have now reached 

 agreement upon the working theory of nature-study, the way is clearly 

 defined, and the time has come for concerted action in practice. It 

 is a serious question whether nature-study is ever to be firmly estab- 

 lished and generally recognized as a integral part of the elementary- 

 school course of study in all schools; but the final answer will depend 

 directly upon future application of the principles now agreed upon. 

 And in turn the success in practice will depend upon the training of 

 the teachers. It is a very significant and hopeful fact that wherever 

 nature-study guided by the established principles is being presented 

 by well-trained teachers it is now recognized as an all-essential part 

 of a rational and liberal elementary education. 



THE ESTABLISHED PRINCIPLES OF NATURE-STUDY' 



BY C. F. HODGE 



Clark Un.versity 



'Tis a wise saw: "Where opinions differ, there lies a problem to 

 be solved." In line with this idea I have always found encourage- 

 ment rather than dismay in the multitude of opinions which cover the 

 field of nature-study. They all bear testimony to the largeness and 

 vitality of interests in this "problem of problems." 



In the presence of such vital and momentous interests as those rela- 

 tions to nature which condition the life and welfare our eighty millions 

 personal motives of every sort disappear completely; and I have al- 

 ways felt, and often said that I felt, most strongly attracted towards 

 those who differed from me most violently. As long as divergent views 

 are honestly expressed, we may hope to learn and progress toward 

 the solution of our problem. Ideas, like species, must struggle in 

 order to live and the fittest shall survive in the end. 



I have been asked the questions that head our leading paper scores 

 of times. I have always replied by saying: "The more views, the 

 better. Choose the one that appears to you best supported by 

 reason and common sense, and then put more common sense and 

 reason of your own into it, and so help the good work along." 



'Professor Hodge was unable to be present at the meeting when the preceding 

 paper was read; but sent the following with which he had planned to open the 

 discussion. 



