26 THE NEW METHOD 



of the surrounding objects of nature. This should 

 be guided into a growing habit, and the young pupil 

 gradually trained to know how to observe, and what 

 to observe among all the objects of its unfolding ex- 

 perience. It should be encouraged to collect many 

 of the little curiosities which awaken its attention, and 

 required carefully to preserve them ; but to do all this 

 judiciously is delicate work. The custodian of the 

 child must know something of the objects of nature, 

 and much of the nature of the young pupil. Above 

 all things, teachers qualified to do this work are the 

 desperate need of the age. To perfect the object- 

 method, and train instructors to its discriminating 

 use, is one of the great functions of normal schools, 

 and must become the practical basis of a rational sys- 

 tem of education. Let it be remembered that there 

 is nothing forced or artificial here ; the scenes of 

 childish pleasure and exuberant activity furnish the 

 objects of thought. In creating an interest in these 

 things a bent is given in the true direction ; the valu- 

 able habit of observing and seeking is formed while 

 the numberless disconnected shreds of knowledge are 

 incipient acquisitions, which will grow with time into 

 the ripened forms of science. . . . 



" When nature becomes the subject of study, the 

 love of nature its stimulus, and the order of nature 

 its guide, then will results in education rival the 

 achievements of science in the fields of its noblest 

 triumphs. Man's first and his life-long concern is 

 with his environment, the objective universe of God. 

 It is a realm of law, and therefore he can understand 



