Cosmopolitanism: Edwin Leon Hughes

              Cosmopolitanism

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EDWIN LEON HUGHES




WORLD-CITIZENSHIP



Cosmopolitanism is a word of the first magnitude—a very giant among words—in sound, appearance, and meaning.  And yet it expresses a possible ideal—indeed a positive existing fact.  Whether one realizes it or not, he is a world-citizen by birth and inheritance, by residence, education and occupation.




It is good for one to realize his citizenship.  There is benefit, inspiration and expansion of soul—soul growth—in it.  The first step toward realization is knowledge of his domain.  Realization of world-citizenship with world-knowledge as its basis is the thought which Mr. Hughes presents.




He believes that there is a need, and a subconscious desire for a better general idea of the world as a whole—a clearer mental view of it.  By the aid of various forms of representation which he makes in view of the audience as he talks he builds this clearer conception permanently.




Two sentences containing two definitions of education given by two modern philosophers express in epigram the spirit and purpose of his work:




The best educated person is the one who carries in his mind the best globe.




The best educated person is the one who can take the best care of himself anywhere in the world.




Unite these two and you have the true education—the fusion of the cultural and the practical.  Rarely in any discussion of a subject have the imaginative and practical been so welded as in Cosmopolitanism as Mr. Hughes conceives it.




He has the gift of expressing great and profound thoughts in simple, common, appealing forms.  While his work has been with the children in the schools, he has had a wide and varied platform experience which enables him to think clearly and speak forcibly before any kind of an audience.  He has acquired the happy faculty of adapting his thought to audiences and occasions.  His skill in visual illustration re-enforces the spoken word, and makes a deeper and more lasting impression.  He endeavors to leave not only the thought with the hearer, but also the method and the means for applying and using the thought.  He aims not only to tell something worth while, but also to get something worth while done.




The following expressions from competent critics will give some idea of the man and his method.




Dr. E. S. Joynes, Professor Emeritus, department of Modern Languages, University of S. C., says:




To praise Mr. E. L. Hughes, for many years superintendent of public schools in Greenville, would be an impertinence anywhere in South Carolina.  But to those who have not had the privilege of knowing him or of hearing him, it may be said that he is full of professional learning, didactic skill, of constant good sense, of wit and humor in due season, and also of a human sympathy which wins and keeps the attention of his hearers.  It seems to me (knowing him so well) to be needless to commend him to all lovers of high character and noble service.




Dr. G. A. Wauchope, Professor of English, University of S. C., says:




Dr. Hughes has a genius for entertaining.  He is, as one of my colleagues said, 'a whole team in himself.'  He sings, plays several instruments, draws well and lectures entertainingly at the same time.  I can assure you that you will secure a very useful man for your bureau in Dr. Hughes.  You need have no fear that he will not make good in any capacity.




Dr. D. B. Johnson, head of Winthrop College and president of the National Educational Association, writes:




I understand you are to have with you in your Chautauqua work next summer, Supt. E. L. Hughes, of Greenville, as one of your managers.  You could not get a better or more capable man, in my opinion.  Mr. Hughes is a good speaker and a fine manager in every way.  I am sure that you will be more than pleased with him.




Dr. Chas. G. Maphis, Univ. Va., Director of U. Va. Summer School, says:




I take pleasure in recommending the work of Supt. E. L. Hughes of Greenville, S. C. Mr. Hughes gave several courses in Geography in the University summer school, session


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of 1915.  Among them was a course in constructive illustration in which was taught the making of various forms of school apparatus, blackboard easels, color outfits charts, globes, drawing models and arithmetical apparatus.  His work aroused much enthusiasm.  His public lectures were instructive as well as novel and entertaining and I most heartily commend him for your favorable consideration.




One of the most effective forms of public teaching is the lecture which is illustrated before the audience as the thought is developed Mr. Hughes is an adept at this.  He not only makes his illustrations but makes his tools and colors and adapts his materials as he needs them.  Many suggestions are thus given which may be followed up by the spectator and made useful in the ordinary work of every day.  Pencils and brushes for using liquid colors are made, the colors are mixed, simple rudiments of art are demonstrated, a large globe is constructed and developed, ornamental designs, flags, banners, &c., are made and colored.  In one of his lectures on 
The Gathering of the Waters
 local talent is used where possible in the picturing of water scenes in color.  (See cut above).




Mr. Hughes expects to feature the new idea 
Community Singing
 in his Chautauqua work, hoping to give an impetus to the development of community talent, and to stimulate a taste for the best music.




Believing in and teaching Cosmopolitanism and that 
the whole includes all its parts,
 hence the Cosmopolitan should be at home anywhere, it is needless to say that Mr. Hughes identifies himself with any community or group in which he may be for a long or a short time and endeavors to serve the common interest in every possible way.  One of his ideas is community organization to secure and maintain proper conditions for producing good citizen-ship.  This idea is developed in his first lecture and where people are responsive, something may come of it.




Since his life-work has been largely the training and direction of teachers Mr. Hughes has a special message for normal schools, and teachers' training classes and associations.  Illustration 
is the subject of this message and its reception inevitably increases teaching power and skill.  His work in this line has the merit of originality combined with practicability.




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Mr. Hughes' work for the present season is arranged in three ways to suit the time which may be available.




Where only one lecture is desired the subject is Cosmopolitanism.




If two are wanted the following divisions will be used:


1


World-Citizenship.


2


The World-Citizen and His Domain.





In his work as platform manager for the Alkahest with six or seven lectures at one place the subject is divided as follows:


1


Essentials of Citizenship, Community Conditions and Organization.


2


Life and the Means of Livelihood.


3


Occupation, Responsibility and Privilege.


4


Knowledge and Allegiance.


5


The World To-day.


6


The Gathering of the Waters.


7


Jesus—The Best and Greatest Cosmopolitan.





The last is suitable for Sabbath Gatherings or Religious Occasions.




In discussing the above list of subjects, Mr. Hughes is at his best in seven day engagements.  Normal Schools, Summer Schools, and Colleges as well as community organizations will find such an engagement thoroughly satisfactory.  A practical sort of enthusiasm is aroused which seeks expression in good work done in the best way.




Peace Printing Co., Greenville, S. C.