Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1834-05-01
EDUCATION

| INV 'dot IS tlle Improvement OF winch
the human mind is susceptible: how pleas
ing, too, the reflection, that the present life
does not fix the limits of its expansion.
The human mind is extremely limited in
the hrst stages Of its progress, compared
to Its after operation in those high states
OF cultivation TO which in many instances
it has attained. ,.
When we compare the untutored barba-
rian with the civilized and enlightened Eu-
ropean, so striking is the contrast, between
The narrow and unimproved intellect of the
one, and the improved and ample powers
OF the other, that, unless we were assured
upon the highest authority, we might al.
most be led TO imagine that they must be
beings different id their Species If, then,
1t be the case, that under the benign inhu-
ence OF liberal education the powers OF
the human mind admit Of being improved
and expanded to such wonderful extent,
will not every philanthropist who has tas,-
ed OF the blessings of a good education, be
DESTROYS to embark the little influence he
}may possess, in the advancement of so no
BILE cause; cause which holds so direct
and so beneficial t. bearing upon the high
est interests of his species. While he re-
joices that our halls of science are open
alike to all, will he not likewise give his
hearty concurrence to every measure which
may promise to be most effectual in con-
lveying the same blessings to all around
him. The advantages which would result
from so general diffusion of knowledge,
must be obvious to every individual of any
reflection. Whenever any of those plans
which have been devised for the advance
ment of this object, are brought into sue
cessful operation, it is evident that the hap
piness of every class of the community
must be greatly promoted. Look at any
part Of our country where the effects of
education have not yet been felt to any ex-
tent; and how deporable is the picture
which is presented to our view. Inquire
infinitely into their habits, and what will
be the result? We shall find that the expe-
dients to which the ignorant often have re-
course in order to relieve that tedium,
which would otherwise hang over those
hours when he is not engaged in the active
business of his calling, are, in most in
stances, of such nature as to be calculat-
ed to exercise an influence far from bcne6-
cial upon his character. Bat let the mind
be improved and enlarged by education,
and Under the influence of a more refined
and exalted taste, he will no longer have a
relish fer amusements of so groveling a
description. With mind thus improved
and thus furnished with ideas of more
elevated cast, and more suited to his char
acter as rational being, he will no longer
delight in the society of his former wild
and prohigate associates. His leisure
hours will be spent, not in scenes of riot
and dissipation, but by his own Preside.
not in talking Of and magnifying the faults
of his neighbors, but in learning to govern
himself. He will thus be placed in pos
session Of resources for happiness in every
respect superior to those which he formerly
enjoyed. The stock Of information which
he will thus have acquired, will be found
to have not only most favorable influence
upon his present interests, but likewise tt
I sere as capital, from which he may draw
In after life, when, by the increasing mfr
mites of his body, or the decaying ener
{. gies Of his mind, he is incapacitated TO
: any very active exertion of either. HI
j, will thus have the high satisfaction
: spending the evening Of his days anon!
c those who are the dearest in his affections
. and who, like himself, have bsen Injured 1
i habits of temperance and Of industry; an
d when, ere the final setting of his sun, ne
d led to take last survey Of his past histe
> ry, although in such survey he should fin
fl nothing Of brilliant or imposing charat
d ter, he has the much higher gratificatio
, Of feeling that he has done his duty, an
} that he has led a life Of simple but hone'
% and happy Independence. NJ