THE HESPERIAN STUDENT.
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minds of men, arc numbeied. No longer can classical
studies constitute tho wholo of a liberal education.
Thoy must give way, in n great degree, to what is more
conformable to tho stern, practical thought of the day
And is not tho present moro worthy our attention than
tho past? Is it not bettor to investigate the circumstances
and conditions which surround us, than to spend our
limltod timo in the contemplation of the thoughts, and
feelings of a dead antiquity, a study which though it
may aid in tho development of tho reasoning powers, is
of but little value In its application to practical life?
Bcience, too, disciplines the mind. While (it is a search
for tho actual, it gives abundant exercise to tho imagina
tive, perceptive and rcflecllvo faculties, and reveals such
vast realms for puro logiral thought as the classics never
possessed. 'I he study of the sciences alone could, with
out doubt, develop the mind to its highest possible stand
ard. So wo might go on, to find that the scientific spirit is
exerting an influence on every phase of human thought
and action. As the artist recognized as his highest motto:
'True art is fidelity to nature," so men are beginning to
see that nature is the true criterion for the workings of
mind and body alike.
Not tho least value of science, however, is its utility,
its application to practical inventions. How much
better and higher in their aims ure our lives than were
those of our ancestors. Our dwellings are palaces of
luxury and comfort compared with theirs. Then, there
was communication with the outer world only ut inter
vals ; now, tho harnessed lightening connects the further
most ends of the earth. Then, tho only means of travel
ing was by the creeping stage coach, now, the locomo
tive tvith double the speed of the wind, thunders
over mountain and valley, and the steamship stems th c
fury of the Atlantic storm.
By the substitution of the energies of nature for
human muscle, science has forever abolished slavery
and has released man from a sole dependence on man
ual labor, that he might turn his attention to the acquisi
tion of intellectual culture. To this end it lias given us
the printing press, the means of the rapid diffusion of
knowledge, and has thus strengthened the bonds of
human sympathy and brotherhood.
To the proper understanding of nature, human minds
owe their escape from the thraldom of that degrading
superstition which held them so long in the chains of
tyrants. Where, now, arc tlie arts of divination toler
ated by enlightened Rome, or those ofjmagic, sorcery and
witchcraft and the absurd pretentions of the astrologers?
The more we know of nature, the more we see the beauty
and harmony of her inflexible laws. Her most powerful
forces are no longer terrible to us; on the contrary, we
turn them to practical use and "rule by obeying
Nature's powers."
Science is, indeed, the very foundation stone of mod
ern civilization, a mighty magician whose deeds nrc
more marvelous thun those related in the fables of the
Arabian Nights.
Tho command was given science: "Subdue the world
and use it," and well has she accomplished iter mission.
Yet not satisfied, olio is ever pushing onward with lof
tier ends in view. Is there no limit to tills progress?
Will not tho natural limitation of the mind und senses
prohibit us from going boyond a certain point ? So it
would seem, but wo must beware when wo attempt to
impose limits to tho groatness of human achievements.
A century or two henco our ago may be scorned and
pitied for its ignorance us we scorn and pity tho Igno
rance and supcrtition of theJDark Ages. Science, how
over, will tolcratono limits but those imposed by naluro
herself; so that we may hope that it will continue in its
noblo work, that it will olovato us mentally, morally and
physically until our lives, acts, and thoughts shall be in
harmony with Nature's law. Then will wo be enabled to
sec clearly the beautiful uniformities and understand the
puzzling mysteries of Nature. With science as our in
terpreter, we may then listen to the "music of tho
sphorcs," and gladly say with the poet:
"I grlovo not that rips knowlcdgo takos away
Tin charm that natnro to my childhood woro ,
For with that insight comoth day by day
A greater bliss than wonder was boforo ."
grift.
The college annual Is booming. The editors work night
and day and are gathering in everything of interest that
has taken place since the 12th of September 1888. The
who!" will bo dished up in au edifying and instructive
style possibly not so serious and grave in its tone as a
text-book of Statics, nor again so stupid aud inane as the
average evening paper in short it will be good. It will
bo just iisgood as we can possibly make it. If any one
has neglected to subscribe he ought to lose no more time
before seeing that his duty is done. Time is ruuning
short, to tell the truth. Thoy want to have tho forms in
press before too fifteenth of the mouth und they wiii have
to know before that time just about what risk they can run
in the purchase of engravings and other novelties. So let
all whole-souled students sec that their names appear on
ihe list of the "mu.ioger of finance" for at least one copy of
the but the namo is not yet to be let loose on tho expec
tant college world. In short take the advice of "one who
knows" and come down liberally. If you do the editors
may put you in tho "to-bo-let-ofT-with-a-pufP lis,
which contains only those who support the Annual as
hey should. Otherwise you may find all your family
flairs dragged out in a way that will make 'you weep
aud wail and gnash vour teeth. "A word to the wise
etc."
The Base Ball Association of N. S. U. is flourishing;
Tli ere arc some forty members, and three full nines with
substitutes aud all other modern appliances have been
organized. Tho first nine feels competent to play any
professional club that may wish to take up the gauntlet.
(Italso feels equally competent to catch "gooso eggs"
every inning.) The second nine is not quite so umbitious.
The third nine, of which Hunger i? captain and Pound
catcher, would feel elated if it could beat anything
whatever. In fact they arc offering large pecuniary in
ducements to any one who will get up a nine that they
can lay out in professional stylo. Every afternoon these
seekers after sport may bo seen wildly throwing a hall at
everybody that heaves in sight, clubbing the umpire and
destroying the beauty of the bystanders. Thoy play as if
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