A PLEA FOR THE STUDY OF NATURE. 



The purpose in all education is to train the child into a 

 habit of correct thinking; to make him strong to battle with 

 the evils of the' world; to lead him to be a good citizen; to 

 perfect him in love for all God's creatures; in short, to enable 

 him to live completely. 



Whatever may be my thoughts in regard to the rank of 

 nature study when compared with the educational values of 

 other studies, or whatever may be said in reference to its 

 relation or correlation with them, it cannot be denied that 

 it has great educational value as a factor in the development 

 of human character. This fact is thought to be a sufficient 

 cause for the introduction of such study into the grades. 



How nature study serves its purpose in the development of 

 character. 



It has been said that every child is born into this world 

 with a two-fold nature, an inner spirit and an outer manifes- 

 tation. His value throughout life depends upon his relation 

 to the outer world of which he is the center. To him every- 

 thing appears to be within easy reach. Even the moon and 

 the stars are his playthings; all things are for his use, but 

 it requires effort to bring them under his control. The 

 world is full of life and beauty, ready to contribute to his 

 growth and happiness. The inner spiritual nature of the 

 child is reaching upward to a higher ideal. The ideal just 

 out of reach moves onward and persuades the spirit to follow 

 in pursuit. vii 



