Put together the fragments of men that we have amongst us to-day,—­the physical joy in existence of the western hunter, the intellectual keenness of the man of science, the love of Nature of the artist or poet, the love for each little bird and insect of the naturalist, the justice of a Washington, the love for God and man of a Florence Nightingale, and then we gain some glimpses of the men of the future whom God has willed shall possess the planet at last.  For assuredly the race is safe, though nations or individuals may fail and perish.  Safe, because God has not built the planet in vain; safe, because his long patience shall have its full satisfaction at the last.  How shall these things be?  God will give this blessing to human labor directed by truth and love.

From partial and one-sided cultivation of Human Nature, partial and one-sided results can alone ensue.  The commencement of this glorious era will date from the first complete education of all the manifold nature of man.  The grand work once inaugurated, by the wondrous law of hereditary descent, natures completer and nobler on all sides will be the heritage of the next generation, by virtue of their birth, and so on in stately progression each generation shall expand and transmit a larger power to the generation that succeeds it; and at last the grand universe of matter shall put the world of man to shame no longer, but man with God’s image shining through him, shall be seen to be worthy of the glorious nature in whose bosom he dwells.

See to it then, Educators! that young Human Nature has its due.  See to it that conscience and the soul have their rightful supremacy, that intellect and sweet human affection walk hand in hand.  And lastly, see to it, Educators! that these young bodies have their due.  Learn for yourselves numberless manly sports and games, and resolutely continue to teach them and practise them yourselves in the midst of your scholars.  Love open air and exercise yourselves first; this love will be contagious, and will communicate itself to those around you.  No atom of true dignity will be lost, and a priceless fund of good humor will be gained for yourself, and a mutual good feeling will be established forever between you and your scholars.  Do this, and we shall no longer hear of schoolmasters becoming old men before they are forty; but the schoolmaster will be known as the youngest looking, healthiest and happiest man in the district.

Upon us, my friends, more than upon any other class of men, this great, this lamentably neglected duty devolves.  We are to see to it that young limbs and lungs have their rights; we must make men understand that it will be a sin against God, if they do not have their rights; a sin, whose punishment is as certain as the law of gravitation.  And more, it must be our task to make men understand the inevitable blessing which is sure to descend upon the keeping of God’s commandments written upon the body.