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. Kven 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 
