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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 5

Article III.—Objects of the Children's Lyceum

Article III.—Objects of the Children's Lyceum.

The objects of the Association shall be the promotion of Truth,

Justice, Fraternal Love, Purity, Beauty, Music, Art, Health, Science, Philosophy, and Spirituality.

These objects we propose to promote by establishing and maintaining a School on Sunday in the city of New York, for the benefit and instruction of the young of both sexes, and of all ages in accordance with the plans and principles set forth in the following articles of our Constitution, whereby we hereby promise to be governed in our individual capacities as Officers and Leaders of Groups.

The primary object of this Association shall be the cultivation and harmonisation of the individual. We propose to cultivate and harmonise the physical part, (1,) by teaching and obeying the laws and conditions of life and health; (2,) by vocal exercises, and strengthening motions under the influence of instrumental music; (3,) by singing appropriate Songs, and by Marches, and by the practice of the most useful and graceful of those physical movements known as Light Gymnastics.

The object next in importance is the cultivation and just development of the intellectual part; by means of legitimate signs and the prime symbols of natural things, to teach, rightly and accurately, and attractively, the Alphabet, Reading Writing, Geography, Natural History, Geometry, Algebra, Arithmetic, Grammar, the Speculative and Exact Sciences, Language, Music, Art, and all the approved branches of study and mental culture. (N.B.—We contemplate the introduction of these branches of education, with the natural methods of imparting instruction, the plan and principles of the Lyceum shall be incorporated on a scale sufficiently grand and comprehensive to call for sessions of the Groups every day.)

The next object contemplated is the cultivation of the moral part: (1,) by the study of the mind, its structure, life-powers, laws, and functions; (2,) by interesting mind in mind, inducing spirit to look into itself, through apt hints and suggestive interrogation, imparted in gentle conversations and in illustrations which charm and exalt the perceptions of the youthful mind; (3,) by helping the child to right names for thoughts and feelings; (4,) by assisting and strengthening the awakening intelligence to analyse and classify the essences of things physical and metaphysical: (5,) by encouraging the young mind to think accurately of forms, qualities uses, relations, and adaptions in human nature and society, as well as in the outlying world of phenomena.

The most important object sought by the Association is the page 11 cultivation and harmonisation of the spiritual part: (1,) by addressing the intuitions and highest mental powers progressively, beginning with simplest truths, and advancing steadily toward the fixed central principles of the Divine Existence; (2,) by means of persuasive questionings, and memorable maxims, and precepts in poetic measure, teaching the young spirit to discern holy truths, and to love reverently the works and ways of Father-God and Mother-Nature; (3,) by conversations concerning charity and heavenly things, concerning life in the Summer-Land, where existence itself is at once a joy and a worship, and concerning the divine and perpetually good things that surround the good and the gifted in the supernal state; (4,) by the reading of books given by inspiration; (5,) by Silver-Chain Recitations of purely devotional prose or verse; (6,) by the signing of loving and sacred Songs and Hymns, portraying the beauty and value of life and the lessons of immortality; (7,) by inculcating, free from the constraints of dogmatic methods, the central truths and principles of whatsoever is heavenly, infinite, unlimited, and eternal.