TWELFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART X 445 



English and ancient history acquaint him with people and nations 

 of the past, and to the extent of looking backward he is able to discern 

 the trend of his own times. 



The study of botany unlocked the secrets of the vegetable world, re- 

 vealing the economy, utility and beauty of the vegetable kingdom, which 

 constitutes so great a part of his environment, and provides so bouati- 

 fully for his sustenance. 



As much may be said for the study of zoology. The knowledge of these 

 things not only broadens his intellect and thought and stimulates in- 

 vestigation, but it also adds to his resources. A prominent educator tells 

 us that "One whose mind has been carefully trained by mathematics, the 

 classics, modern languages and physics is capable of quicker thinking 

 and better judgment than a lad who comes to his duties fresh from the 

 farm or the city and without such discipline of the mind. He can re- 

 member orders better; he is smarter at figures; he has acquired greater 

 discernment, and in other ways he is generally master of the situation, se- 

 curing the friendship and respect of his fellow-workers and the kindly 

 notice and approval of his superiors as well. His ability to act in an 

 emergency, his initiative, his personal resource and his general reliability 

 single him out for promotion." 



The high school course also affords great opportunity for the develop- 

 ment of the pupil in many other ways. Not only in broadening and ex- 

 panding his intellect, but training him in the care of his body, teaching 

 him self-control, developing within him self-government, and since our 

 entire theory of government is based upon intelligent self-control, this is 

 of immense value to him. 



In a very apt sense, the school represents society. The pupils there 

 found represent in minature the aggregation of men and v.'omen in ac- 

 tive life and may be taken as fair types of what active life really is in 

 the outside world. So, there he has a splendid chance to learn to respect 

 the rights of others. This course of discipline develops in him all the 

 nobler traits so much to be desired and which every good person values 

 so highly. 



In addition, there are the great intellectual achievements that come 

 from the study of books; also the help that comes from the daily con- 

 tact with others whose aspirations are worthy as his own. 



It is true that he will encounter evil influences, he will meet with 

 temptations, yet no more in the school life than elsewhei'e. 



If he has formed studious habits, is reasonably trustworthy and self- 

 reliant through the guidance of parents and teachers, it would seem he 

 had the best possible chance to grow and develop in the right direction. 



Since work is the solution of many a vexing and perplexing problem of 

 the boy, where could the large share of that work be more profitably 

 done than in the school room during these plastic years of his life? 



The splendid teachers, faithful chrislian men and women, and they 

 usually are, are in themselves a great moral force. Someone has para- 

 phrased a remark of a noted American divine thus: "To have teaching 

 judgment, to have a good teaching head and heart, to have a deep en- 



