Nappanee High School - Napanet Yearbook (Nappanee, IN)

Page 31 text:

EH TjTKN miles even day, going to and from school, has Alonzo driven since liKk')- ,ut we never hear him complaining of S8K8S3 ,lis ot: on tl e contrary. l|e always has a cheery word or a ® °“ smile: in short Alonzo is an optomisl. Ills education previous to ids High School work was obtained in a country school near his home, lie was bom August 2. 18S7.

Page 33 text:

Shr JFurrr uf Saint By ALONZO OVERHOLSER ERSTKR defines habit as being a particular state of body or mind, or the aptitude gained by continued practice. It may also l»e defined as a bundle of memories or tendencies to act again in a way in which one has acted l efore. Hai -it. like a scientific experiment, is not acquired in a moment and without thought, nor is it at once completed. Like tlie experiment, the tirst trial is the most difficult one: but by frequently practicing an act it liecomes like a re-liex action: the act may Ik |K rformed without at once arresting the knowledge of the operator. Though man is sometimes inclined to notice the so-called bad habit only, and Lliose which have no direct relation to Imdily wants; yet by continually practicing a certain act, it may Ik good or bad. a habit is acquired. It is a known fact that the foundation of habits, with but few exceptions, is laid in youth and if permitted to remain until the age of maturity, tlie habits acquired will cling to the victim throughout life. Why Is It that a habit Is so easily formed in youth? It is due to the flexibility of the nervous system the cells of which are chiefly com|K»sed of protoplasmic mat ter. We are not acquainted with any other sulistance which is more sensitive to the most delicate stimulation, or which Is-tter retains modifications due to past experiences. Hut the sensitiveness and plasticity of nerve cells are gradually lost as the child grows older. If a past action is thus retained by youthful nerve cells, we readily see that the same action will Ik repeated rather than a new one invented. The nervous system of a small child is like a smooth sheet of |»a|K r. The paper may Ik creased in any desirable manner and folded: but should a crease tie incorrectly made It can never be entirely removed: but the paper will have a tendency to fold in the former crease. The same is true of the child. It may Ik properly or improperly trained, its early actions crease the nervous system according to their character and pave the way for the future. Nerve cells in youth are like freshly mixed plaster of | aris or like freshlt mixed cement: and like them, they soon lose their plasticity. Roughly shaking, the plasticity of nerve cells is inversely pro|)ortional to their age. Actions practiced in youth make a path in tin nerve cells as does a workman’s trowel in a cement construction. If nerve cells have a tendency to act as they have acted liefore, this same path will l»e traveled the second time. Every time this path is crossed it Incomes more distinct and finally its name is habit. Hy the time that the furrow of habit Is plowed through the nervous system. the protoplasmic cells have lost their plasticity, and then it is as hard a task to remove It as to remove initials from a moulded liar of Iron. We do not question the truth of a statement made by a famous w riter when lie said. “He that overcomes habit Isa hero. Habit is oftentimes impulsive and not voluntary. Il not only affects the one wlm possesses it. hut it also lays liold upon Ids ass«K iates. If a character stricken with evil habits could Ik banished and Ik cast upona lonely uninhabited island, as was Robinson (’rusoe, and could not come in contact with the civilized world there would be comparatively little lost. Habit would have but little force in tids case and would meet its Waterloo” with but one victim. Hut from the first days of life man is surrounded by Ids fellow-lieings. and being a natural born imitator, beat once begins to imitate the actions of others. This brings aliout impulsive habits. The continued imitation by which a child comes to learn the language spoken by its parents is impulsive, not voluntary. Persons are known to have lK come confirmed stammerers from early association with one who stuttered. One boy cannot pitch marbles in the presence of others without inducing some of them to assist him. One by one they follow Ids example until U|x n every street comer can Ik seen scores of lioys so deeply engaged in tins childish contest that they forget all about the errands upon which they were sent. If habits can lie formed by impulsion, bow fortunate are those children who are compelled by intelligent parents, to take certain steps which lead to the acquisition of correct habits. They may not understand why they are compelled to do certain actions, but such children will And out later that they have a wonderful mechanism properly fashioned for their bands. They will grow up, not to Ik slaves of evil habits, but U'ariug the stamp of g MKi character. Honesty and sobriety will Ik their motto. Such are bound to make a lasting mark in the world. In their hands may lie trusted the reins of the nation. They will leave many helping foot-prints on the sands of time and their works will follow them. Many of our great men such as George Washington and Abraham Lincoln were characters of this kind. On the other hand, many young men aredlsmisscd from positions because habits of civility, self-rest mint and punctuality were not ingrained in tlie nervous system liefore their value was know n. The sooner tbat the idea is exploded that a child should not Ik taught until it can see the why and wherefore of things, tin l»etter it will Ik for the world. ;;i