130 HEREDITY AND CHRISTIAN PROBLEMS 



into a procession and marched through so many 

 years of school-life, and then let out. I never 

 liked mathematics, but to this day I believe the 

 aversion could have been overcome by a few 

 hours' patient, careful training, with no step taken 

 until the reason for it was understood. Further- 

 more, if the study was worthy of pursuit, then, 

 simply because of my natural antipathy, it should 

 have been taught with more thoroughness and 

 patience than those studies in which I rejoiced." 



But let us put the blame of this condition of 

 things where it belongs. These views were once 

 stated to a distinguished educator. He replied : 

 " I agree with you perfectly, but what can I do .-' 

 It is my duty to examine teachers, but my hands 

 are so tied that I can do nothing." " Is it not 

 often true that a teacher who may be an expert 

 in reading children, and in adapting to them the 

 instruction they most need, could not pass your 

 examinations ? " He replied : " Undoubtedly, and 

 I am disgusted with the whole system." I once 

 asked a company of several teachers, how many 

 had ever had their attention called to the duty of 

 discriminating among their pupils as to natural 

 powers and faculties ? All but one replied that 

 it was a neglected topic, and that one said he 

 had heard a few lectures on the subject in a 



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