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True Education
Manual Training Needed by Professionals
The benefit of manual training is needed also by professional
people. They may have brilliant minds; they may be quick to catch
ideas; their knowledge and skill may secure for them admission to
their chosen calling;
yet they may still be far from possessing a fitness for its duties.
An education derived chiefly from books leads to superficial think-
ing. Practical work encourages close observation and independent
thought. Rightly performed, it tends to develop that practical wis-
dom which we call common sense. It develops ability to plan and
execute, strengthens courage and perseverance, and calls for the
exercise of tact and skill.
Physicians who have laid a foundation for their professional
knowledge by actual service in the sickroom will have a quickness
of insight, an all-around knowledge, and an ability in emergencies
to render needed service—all essential qualifications that only a
practical training can so fully impart.
Ministers, missionaries, and teachers will find their influence
with the people greatly increased when it is demonstrated that they
possess the knowledge and skill required for the practical duties of
everyday life.
In acquiring an education, many students would gain a most
valuable training if they would become self-sustaining. Instead
of incurring debts or depending on the self-denial of their parents,
let young men and young women depend on themselves. They
will thus learn the value of money, the value of time, strength, and
opportunities, and will be under far less temptation to indulge idle
and spendthrift habits. The lessons of economy, industry, self-denial,
practical business management, and steadfastness of purpose, thus
mastered, would prove a most important part of their equipment for
the battle of life.
Let young people be impressed with the thought that education
is not to teach them how to escape life’s disagreeable tasks and
heavy burdens; its purpose is to lighten the work by teaching better
methods and higher aims. Teach them that life’s true aim is not to
secure the greatest possible gain for themselves, it is to honor their