A desire to be the
author of good to others should be developed into a practical ruling
motive. Natural science on the other hand supplies a knowledge of the
ordinary means and appliances by which the purposes of life are
realized. It gives us proper insight into the conditions of life and
puts us into intelligent relation to our environment. Not only must a
child be supplied with the necessaries of life but he must appreciate
the needs of health and understand the economies of society, such as
the necessity of mental and manual labor, the right use of the products
and forces of nature, and the advantage of men's inventions and
devices. In a plan of popular education these two culture elements
should mingle (history and natural science). In the case of all sorts
of people in society the ability to execute high moral purposes depends
largely upon a ready, practical insight into natural conditions. We
are not thinking of the bread-and-butter phase of life and of the aid
afforded by the sciences in making a living, but of the all-round,
practical utility of natural science as a necessary supplement to moral
training.
One of the best tests of a system of education is the preparation it
gives for life in a liberal sense.
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