1875-08-01 Alumni Journal

              THE
LUMNI OURNAL,
OF THE
ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY.
AUGUST, 1875.
HOW CAME WE HERE?
No. 8.
WE are approaching the centennial of
American Independence, and glancing
over the past one hundred years, one is
amazed at the wonderful changes that
have been wrought. In all departments
of human industry and investigation, the
growth and development of the Ameri-can
people has been marvelous. While
attempting to take a "bird's eye view" of
our history as a nation, one cannot fail to
be impressed with the magnitude and
importance which the educational inter-ests
assume; nor can he ignore their
wonderful formative power in giving the
present distinctive character to our civil-ization.
The work which the educators of our
nation have accomplished, can not be
over-estimated. Many of them have
lived in comparative obscurity, silently,
quietly, but faithfully performing their
work until the release came and they
rested from their labors; but "their
works do follow them." The school
houses which dot our prairies in the fertile
west, and that nestle in the glades or
hang in picturesque beauty on the hill-sides
of the New England States, are
faithful witnesses of the efficiency of the
work performed. The high schools,
academies, colleges and universities
-- 22
which rear their domes heavenward, at-test
the wisdom, prudence and liberal
designs of those who have given their
lives to the work of mental and moral
training.
One feature in the educational work
of our country stands out in pleasing
contrast with that of the countries of the
Old World. Whatever may be said of the
men directing, or the agencies employ-ed,
as a consequence, our people are
the possessors of a Christian education.
This is certainly gratifying, and its re-sults
are seen in the harmony, peace and
order-loving character which prevails
among us as a people.
The causes which have led to this
gratifying condition of society may be
many, and to attempt to enumerate will
most likely subject one to criticism ; for
possibly, many conflicting opinions pre-vail
in regard to the influences which have
tended most strongly to produce the re-sults.
An examination of the history of
education in America, however, reveals a
few very noticeable facts. One cannot
fail to discover that the leading educa-tors-
those whose influence has been and
is now being most felt in educational
circles; those who have planned, laid
the foundation and reared the superstruc-
Vol. V.