4 8 



the well-known acuteness of the citizens of our modern Athens 

 might be expected ; or do we tamely and without question submit 

 to that State devised and State controlled darkening of 

 counsel which instead of education in these countries gives us 



" The longing for ignoble things, 



The strife for triumph more than truth, 

 The hardening of the heart that brings 



Irreverence for the dreams of youth." 



Are we not, dazzled perhaps by these long annual advertise- 

 ments of Intermediate prize winners, forgetting that quick 

 returns means mall profits ; that though life is short, art is long ; 

 that the flower whose stamens have been converted into petals 

 produces no fruit in the after time, and that the " idolatry of 

 knowledge must cease or education cannot begin ? " As Thring 

 says — " This is certain, the schools of England will be good or 

 bad according to the wishes of the homes of England." 



Here and there one meets with men who know our desperate 

 needs, and would fain see them supplied. But these are 

 scattered. Would it not be possible to unite them ? In these 

 days we work by Societies and Conventions. The day of great 

 personalities seems past, and the effort of many minds com- 

 bined now takes their place. Will it be possible to do by this 

 means for education what Luther did for the Church ? To free 

 it from formalities and immoralities and the dry husks of 

 things ; to take away mere authority and dogma and to bring 

 in life and reason and moral growth ; to sweep out fear and 

 bring in love ; to banish false issues and sophistry and cherish 

 true interest in work and the dignity of labour for its own 

 reward ? It is for us to say if these things shall be. 



