INTRODUCTION 



In aiTanging a course of study it is important to understand the true 

 object of study and the relations that exist between the different subjects 

 of study. Without this knowledge it is not possible to arrange the subjects 

 in their proper order, nor to attain the highest results of study. The first 

 question we have to answer is, What is the object of study? What higher 

 or more rational aim can there be than that we may know God and obey 

 Him? Such knowledge and conduct lead to the highest human attain- 

 ments and happiness. Just in proportion as we understand God's modes 

 of working, and live in harmony with them, will our lives be blessed — 

 blessed in the amount of good we accomplish and in the avoidance of the 

 ills that always follow disobedience to law. 



But how are we to know God? Evidently by studying His works. 

 And what are His works? They may all be arranged in two classes — 

 material and immaterial objects. The material objects we are accustomed 

 to arrange in three groups — animals, vegetables, and minerals. In study- 

 ing the material objects we get ideag of form, size, relation — the elements 

 of geometry and the arts; sound, color, weight, motion, and qualities gen- 

 erally — elements of physics, chemistry, and the arts; number — leading 

 to arithmetic and algebra; place — ^ leading to geography. 



Human souls are immaterial objects of creation. This is sufficient for 

 us to know in regard to this class of created objects. One of the most re- 

 liable and effective ways of studying human souls is in the study of history 

 and literature. Here it is that we find recorded the thoughts, feelings, 

 emotions, passions, actions, and motives of men. This is an important 

 branch of psychological study, and one happily adapted to all grades of 

 instruction. In these two great lines of study we gain ideas which we 

 wish to express. The different modes of expression may be grouped under 

 four heads : 



1. Pantomime, which includes gesture and elocution. 

 3. Signs and symbols, as used in mathematics. 



