Chester High School - Reflector Yearbook (Chester, VA)

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The Reflector : 1921 12 es, over precipices, among rapids, and beneath the shade of primeval forest. For this reason, in order to have any success in life, or any worthy success, we must resolve to carry into our work a fullness of knowledge — not merely a sufficiency, but more than a sufficiency. A good education is almost indispensable as an aid to one who is struggling to gain a place in the front rank of the world workers. A b c’s now conquered, and hav- ing advanced a few steps further, can we feel satisfied with what we have done, and lay aside our work? No, we must push on, hoping to attain to a higher eminence. Let this be the clarion call, that comes ringing down the ages, for our guidance, our inspiration, and our promise of future suc- cess — “He, Who Labors, Conquers.” —JULIA SANDERS.

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J ' i-ie Reflector : 192 1 1- 1 The little knowledge which he possessed was transmit- ted only by tradition, as he had no written language. Pro- ducts of the earliest great development are found in the val- ley of the Nile. The pyramids, and collossal statues at Thebes still remain, and show the perserveranee and skill of the Egyption artisans. Greece received light from Egypt and followed in her footsteps. After the Pyramids, the most famous buildings were the gigantic temples of the gods, and in sculpture, Greece has never been surpassed. During the last few hundred years, progress in all lines has been both rapid and phenomenal. The discovery of the art of printing, the mariner’s compass, and the application of steam and electricity to the mechanical arts have done much to prepare the way for universal progress. The Ameri- can Revolution establishing free government on our shores, and the French Revolution destroying a long settled form of tyranny, both contributed to the belief that man ought to think for himself. It was the breaking of the fetters of tra- dition. He, who succeeds, has a certain aim in life. It was once said, “Great minds have purposes, others have wishes.” Lab- or is as necessary, and even more so, in this age of many-sid- ed interests, as it was in the past ; but he, who would now con- quer decisively, must add to his labor, purpose. Cyrus Field, the inventor of the Atlantic Cable, spent many years, in per- fecting this method of communication. Thirteen years of anxious watching and ceaseless toil were his, but think what he accomplished by his untiring energy! Thomas A. Edison is a living illustration of our subject. A large percentage of the inventions, which characterize the twentieth century civi- lization, are products of his unceasing efforts. Be it, then, our duty and our encouragement to live and to labor, ever mindful of the future, but let us not forget the past, for we should see that all ages have lived and labored for us. The earliest and most distant times are not without a present influence on our daily lives. The mighty stream of progress though fed by many tributary waters and hidden springs, derives something of its force from its earlier cur- rents, which leap and sparkle in the distant mountain recess-

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Tiik Refi-kctoh l!) 2t ‘13 EDUCATION, THE SUBJECT OF THE HOUR “Education is the most important subject now demanding the attention of the American people. Take an intelligent, law-abiding, self-supporting, idealistic people and no political, social or international problem is too com- plex. Leave the people in ignorance, superstition and economic thralldom and the nation trembles on the brink of an abyss.’’ The prevailing illiteracy in the United States is alarming. As census figures show our country stands tenth in rank of education and literacy. There are several million adults in our country who are uneducated and the appall- ing fact confronts us that over half of them are native born citizens. These men and women confess that they are illiterate and this means that they are unable to read and write in any language. But we must not get the idea that all the children are educated and only the adults are illiterate, for it is wrong. There are a million boys and girls in our country between ten and fifteen years of age who should be in school but are elsewhere. Evidently something must have come between them and the school house. It has, and we call it child labor. The laws of many States of our Union allow the employment of child- ren in factories or industries before they finish school thus depriving them of their fair share of an opportunity for education. These children are future citizens of our State and nation and if they are allowed to grow up in ignor- ance they swell the number of our illiterates and weaken the foundations of our national life, which is based upon the intelligence of its citizenship. One may point to its distinguished citizens who have been in youth deprived of educational advantages and whose influence in later years was a help to our nation. Abraham Lincoln did not have the advantage of gaining an education but he used his greatest influence in preserving our nation. But we cannot say that the case of Lincoln is true in every instance, because from the time he was president until today we have had great men in office, all of whom had the advantages that Lincoln lacked. They used their influence too — not to preserve but to build up the wonderful government which he used his best efforts to preserve. Of the men who were called to the colors during the great world war it was found that about twenty-five per cent had no education. Many others were unable to read with understanding or express their meaning intelligently in writing. The education of the younger generation is an important subject and should be considered now and not fifty y ' ears hence, after they have become adult illiterates. Many great problems present themselves as a result of illiteracy, but the most serious arise in regard to citizenship and the welfare of the country as a whole. As stated before thousands and thousands of men and women who art citizens of our country are illiterates and are unable to discuss and consider with intelligence the questions of national interest which arise daily.