Mmi ill the Light of Evolution 



or it will escape us once for all. It is a'critical 

 period. The boy may press upward out of the 

 animal or half-human life into a complete man- 

 hood. He may partially stagnate in the lower 

 stage, as clam and reptile have done before him. 

 He may promise well, but the pressure of early 

 adult life may hamper and stunt the develop- 

 ment of all the higher powers. He fails to com- 

 plete his development. The moral and religious 

 powers are not crushed out, but they fail to be- 

 come supreme. He becomes what he and others 

 call a practical man, a prosperous Philistine, 

 an anthropoid, but not a man. He may sink 

 in criminality or bestiality. 



The infantile and childish stages are abso- 

 lutely essential to the development of a complete 

 manhood. During them are laid the firm and 

 rude foundations of physical health and vigor 

 with the accompanying power, courage, hope, 

 and faith of the athlete. These we must foster 

 in every way, and at the same time stimulate 

 but not overtax the nascent mental powers. 



Similarly the education of the youth must not 

 suppress the youthful characteristics. They are 

 normal, healthy, and essential. The boy and girl 

 must have their own conceptions and Ideals, not 



88 



