Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1823-05-08
Fer tbs cayttr.
ON INSTRUCTION..
No. 1,

Sketch fast bold Of INSTRUCTION keep hr let
her NOT 90 ;eSr she is THr Gfe."--PnovsnBs.
These words were ute red by one whose
wisdom never has been, nor ever will be sur
passed. Ito possessed OF all the giories OF
ROYAL power, yet he condescendcd to compose
Proverbs tor tue benefit OF those who should
make their appearance on earth after his de-
mise Sensible OF the dangerous effects ths III.
lurments OF vain, delus'e world had upon
the minds OF incautious youth, when they con-
fde alone in themselves, he warmly beseech a.
them to give heed to the adnoni si,ing voice OF
instruction., which would sweetly conduct them
along the lowery paths leading to true life and
felicity. .r.
Hence Instruct ion being our life. should be
received in proportion TO our s0licltude to pre-
serve our existence. knowledge indeed. con-
stitutes the true essence of life IN the soul it
tllgnites 1t, ii eevates to that enviable state to
winch il SO tondly aspires. s lntuses strength &
ylgour into Its whole frame. Its utility u ben
eht therefore, must be sest-eyident. We see
persons very asslduous in dressing their body, in
order to make their external appearance quite
captivating; but permitting ther minds, Nj the
same time, to remain destitute OF the attracting
costume OF education. II however, they would
rightly understand the Composition OF their
own nature, they would perceive they acted
enormously; tor it Is manifest, that within Our
organic system, there resides All immortal, re-
sponslbie substance, The soul winch is con-
tradistlngushed from matter, As being invisi-
bic, uhtanslble and having the principles OF
action wilnln Itself And moreover, no retine-
ment OF INA ter can be made to think though:
is an attribute of spirit Having, therefore, lnis
seit.moying principle, endued with reason and
reflection, infused into our body, we are su.
perior toIthe brute creation, but it we do not lm
prove il, as was Designed by Providence, we
assmate ourselves to them. We are endow.
ed with mental powers susceptible Ut cutiva-
ton and Improvement, and IN proportion TO our
industry and application, they approximate 10
perfection. Perfection in these, ~ ~eil AS in
every other power was not conferred UPON man.
Ii il had there would have been no exctement,
no incentives to active exertion but indoicnce,
inaction would have resulted Surely this
would have been more destructive to our hap.
plness than the imperiect,on of powers. hut
happily for us, we find ourselves in the enjoy
ment Ut intellectual faculties capsble Ut an IN
definite degree OF expansion and enlargement.
Nature has implanted the seed, but We are TO
bring them to maturity. =
The adjournment of the body ought not to
engr0ss all of our time and attention. Emery IN
dress is pardonable, fit do not become para.
mount to every thing else, but when We suffer
our attachment and lose OF dress to raise 50
high AZ to exclude literary devotion entirely, we
may rest assured that We have wandered from
the road leading to true usefulness and respec-
liability Instead OF that manliness ct behaviour
and department so pleasing IN youth, we make
mere butterflies vi ourselves, qualified only to
show our eyanescent beauties in the bAlmy
zeph, re- of May; but SO soon as we are over
taken in the chilling storms. OF aiversity. we
are by our own effemnacy, borne down un.,
der the pressure, and throw N reslstess, to nom
entity. Oblivion soon shrouds the tomb where
we Wondering lay. Let US, therefore, avoid,
yea, fee from thsse soft and downy paths.
which approximate us to frminalty let US
tread the laborious accents OF men despi,ing
the ,,ewgaws ofdressS and embrace Instruction.
with all our heart Let our exertions be direct
ed to- wards the establishment Ut our miDds.-
indicative of a NOBLE mind, is thirst tor the
charming waters OF the pieran Spring. 49,
In order, however, to give the reader some
ntimatiop Of the rout shall take in my Essay,
il may be proper 10 state, that, IN the first
place. shall attempt to prove the exceliency
of education to each individual. in society;
secondly, how necessary general diffusion OF
knowledge is to the preservation OF our pohti-
cal existence and thirdly, devise such plan
of instruction rs may be adoptess with safety III
our seminsries
To show the excelency of education to each
Fmember in the community. is what first pro-
Eposed. No man will deny, that the mind is
capable Improvement; and that y Is splrS
tual, immortal substance, pre-emlnent above
every thing is transient and perishasie. Hence
il ought to demard our first and most serious
reconsideration. The mind is not. as. | before
limited. possessed Of perfect pnvers nor do
any of its powefs, in the deeting existeace OF
man ever attain unto perfection The pro.
liability is that through 'the countless ages OF
eternity" it win continue to develops new
beau,ie and new glories: the wigs oihs CON-
prehension will continually expand. ull It shall
be able to encompass things Of which it can
have here but FAINT and obscure conception.
Tho perfection on earth is unaitainabie, yet We
know some men appro sch nearer to IL than
Others. Nature has made all men very near
,equsi in point Of talents she IS not partial
and it one man be superior to ano-
Fiber i, is owing, demonsr.bly, TO the better
improvement Cf his n.ental powers Ills fund
OF ideasis accumulated by his own indusir,.
Being early uisuuoted IN the rudlmenls. OF
learning, nothing but Incidence can obstruet
his future adyancement put he who has no,
| oeen tanght even the simple elements Of Aa-