PREFACE. THE object of this little book is purely practical. It is written to aid parents, teachers, and pastors, in their work of character-building; incidentally, too, to aid each individual to build himself. It grew out of a practical need, and was written wholly with a practical end in view. Some years ago Dr. J. H. Vincent designed, as a part of his Chautauqua University, a Chautauqua School of Theology. Its object was not to supersede the thorough courses of biblical and theological study pursued in the seminaries, but to supplement them; to aid pastors in pursuing their studies after they had already entered on their parish work, and to enable laymen and others, who were engaged in ministerial or quasi ministerial labor, to equip themselves more thoroughly for their work. He proposed to incorporate in the curriculum of this Chautauqua School of Theology a "Department of Human Nature," the object of which should be to aid the student in studying man, individually and socially; human nature in history, in fiction, in the parish, and in society, thus enabling him to deal more wisely, because more truly scientifically, with the problems of individual and social life. Dr. Vincent asked me to take charge of this department, to create and to cultivate it. With much misgiving, I undertook the task; moved thereto partly by a warm personal affection and esteem for Dr. Vincent, partly by a great respect for the work which he is doing, and partly by a special interest in this particular department. But no sooner had correspondence been opened with the students who desired to enter on this study, than 122488 |