Edward Livingston Youmans. 



are certain considerations growing out of the recent progress 

 of thought, which have a powerful bearing upon the question, 

 and which it is desirable now to present. And first, What is 

 the real significance of the phrase " discipline of the mind " ? 



By mental discipline in education is meant, that sys- 

 tematic and protracted exercise of the mental powers 

 which is suited to raise them to their highest degree of 

 healthful capability, and impart a permanent direction to 

 their activity. The mind takes a set or stamp from the 

 character of the knowledge it acquires, and the mode of 

 activity which these acquisitions involve, and, in this way, 

 mental habits are formed. But, what is the basis of this 

 great fact of mental habits, by which so spiritual an agency 

 as mind becomes fettered ? It is a property of the organic 

 constitution, and its consideration brings us down to the firm 

 physiological basis of the whole subject. 



There are two methods of studying mind. The old 

 metaphysical method simply takes note of the mental ef- 

 fects which are manifested in consciousness, but modern 

 psychology goes deeper, and takes into account the con- 

 ditions under which these manifestations arise. It no 

 longer admits of denial or cavil, that the Author of our 

 being has seen fit to connect mind and intelligence with 

 a nervous mechanism : in studying mental phenomena, 

 therefore, in connection with this mechanism, we are study- 

 ing them in the relation which God has established, and, 

 therefore, in the only true relation. There is still a pow- 

 erful prejudice against this proceeding. Literature and 

 Theology continue to pour their contempt upon that " mat- 

 ter " which infinite wisdom has consecrated to the high 

 purpose of manifesting mental effects, while the scientific 

 study of the organ of thought has been, until very re- 

 cently, outlawed by the state.* Yet nothing is more cer- 



* Human dissections having been, until lately, illegal. 



