Reasons For The Study Of The Constitution Of The United States
For several days there had been an air of expectancy about the school. At Monday's assembly the teacher had announced that she had persuaded Judge Garland to come to talk to the teachers and pupils about the Constitution of their country and about the law, the rights, the powers, and the duties of the people. A real live judge was coming! Most of the children had never seen a judge. The word inspired a sort of dread. They had read of men being sentenced to prison. They expected to see a fierce, hard-hearted man. Some of the younger children had wondered if it would be possible to stay away from the assembly room when the judge was there, but the teacher said that everyone should be present. So important was the subject that the teachers were to be there, too; and many fathers and mothers that could spare the time were also invited. The principal had said that he would not miss a meeting.
So when Friday came the assembly room was crowded. All the pupils and teachers were there, and in the rear of the room were a few of the parents. The door opened and the principal of the school entered. By his side was a man whose gray hair and serious countenance told of years of responsibility. He did not appear "fierce". Rather his face was kind and his eyes twinkled as he ascended the platform and stood looking out over the faces before him.
The principal introduced Judge Garland who bowed and began his series of talks to the children.
Well my friends, I am glad to see you. I am delighted to be back in a school room again. It is many years ago, though it seems but a short time, since as a schoolboy I sat in a school room like this, among boys and girls like you. I suppose that I studied about as you study, and did not recite any better than you recite. I thought I had to work very hard, and I remember that I often looked out of the open window of the school room when the summer sun was warm, and I thought I could hear the trees, the grass, the stream, and even the fish calling me to quit study and come out to joy and freedom. I know it was a real temptation. I could have had a good time, but I have often been glad since that I obeyed my teacher, my parents, and the law, and continued my studies in school. I am glad, because I now realize how much easier, how much happier, and how much more useful my life has been because I did not listen to the voice of temptation which called me from work to play.(1)
