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Show The Training of Nations. The Romans gave special reverence to Mi-nervu. Mi-nervu. To therri she was the goddess( of wisdom and of war. She was, moreover, tho protectress of their arts and industries, of spinning and weaving weav-ing and embroidery; her ancient figure was their Palladium the story of which was that it orig-nally orig-nally fell from heaven, and the legend was that while Rome retained the Palladium it would never be taken. The Romans had a four days celebration celebra-tion in her honor annually; to her their vows were paid, their offerings made. As moderns construe the legend, the meaning was that so long as the Romans were wise in counsel, invincible in arms, and so long as tho industries on which they lived were pursued with diligence, they would be safe. Their real Palladium Palla-dium was in their own souls, while they excelled In wisdom, In arts and arms and never forgot the need of honorable toll, they had naught to fear, that in tho simple souls of the masses they believed in an overshadowing goddess who was the representative of all things that were good, for her shining presence was always in their minds; it stirred them to loftier efforts; it increased their self-respect to think they were under special, divine care; they feared to do aught that would offend this resplendent guardian and their patriotism patriot-ism was kept warm by the thought that It was their country only over which this splendor kopt guard. She of tho helmet and shield and spear; sof the spear and distaff; she the profoundly wise and in martial beauty supreme; what wonder that oblations were offered her! Well, there is nothing new under the sun, Pallas-Athene to tho Romans merely represented what was imperative - to make a nation groat. Wisdom divine, valor irresistible and labor that knew no faltering. That is what makes a nation great still ; no nation can be great when they fail in either. We think at times it would be r"- --) ri""iir" -wtvir-i " m ir u hit mi f ' ii.r ifp mm i r . better for our own people, if they had the child- iM like faith of the old Romans; that they would ' strive harder, study harder, and shrink from some things they now do if they believed a goddess was watching them, ready to bless them If they did , flfl well, ready to punish them if they faltered in duty. But if the goddess was but a myth, the lessons taught by belief in her are just as impressive now as they were seventy-five generations back. If a nation lacks in wisdom, it will not' last long, if -m it lacks in valor, It is only a question when It will be overrun; if it lacks', in industry, then de- generation comes, and soon a descent to semi- barbarism. And nations are but an aggregation of inhabitants, so the rule applies the same to in- dividuals as to nations. When a man ceases to train his mental faculties, he ceases to be a factor of any importance. When he loses courage then he loses self-respect, ceases to impress others; jJ when he decides to live without pursuing any j'H honorable work, then he becomes a drone and an 'J Incumbrance and Is of not the slightest benefit IM to the world. -M The point of all this is that the story of Pal- H las-Athene should' be a daily lesson in our schools, the daily study of the sons of the rich. They should JJ be asked every day if they are trying to learn wis-dom, wis-dom, if they are by their .acts keeping their self- (H respect high and their courage ready to meet H any duty. Especially should they be asked if they are pursuing any honorable employment, some-thing some-thing that would make them independent should H their riches take wings and fly away. H And the lessons should be the chiefest lessons H of homes and schools. That lesson in some form has been taught In the schools, of Japan every day 'M for twenty years past. The result was seen when H her armies were set in array two years ago against the giant of Europe and Asia. A nation is just what it is trained to be and so are men. |