Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-06-30


going on. The Bible, he said, had been
translated already into two hundred Ian
1guages, and might soon be translated In
to the residue; and that within twenty
seven years there would be the most as
tonishing developments the world ever
witnessed. On inquiring of him the eff
/ feet of these views on his own mind, he
informed US that it was most purifying and
delightful. 1t broke the charm of earth
the soul with the preciousness OF the Re-
ldeemer, and made death familiar and
pheasant at any time: and to be made the
instrument of extending the knowledge of
Christ, he Felt that anything could be
cheerfullv endured. However you may
be disposed to dissent from some of his
views, he leaves you in no doubt of the
transcendent influence of the cross on his
own heart. The glitter OF earth grows
lsensibly dim, in contrast with the glory
with which his conversation invests things
unseen and eternal. His conversation
has this important effect, however you
may differ from him. You are impress
ed more deeply with the worth of the BIZ
Bile, of the necessity of studying it more
tclosely, and you form the determination
Ito do so. But it is not only with the
scriptures aid the ancient languages that
he is familiar, but with the writings ofthe
most eminent theologians Of the present
and former days What an illustration is
there furnished of what an individual can
lido, whose mimi is concentrated on a par
ticular subject, and bent on the improve
} ment of few hours each day at the close
of labor! Probably this mans natural
: capacity may not be superior to the gen.
E eralitv of his felloW-men but by the as
siduous cultivation of it in the recess of
labor he has obtained fair standing with
men of high Intellectual attainments
The idea that persons occupied in me-
7, chanical labor, or labor 10 the field, can
s not make important literary advancement,
e is therefore great mistake and the mis-
take ought to be corrected without delay.
We ought to have mechanics and farmers
+ filling places in our Legislative bodies
. with as much ability as professional men.
. The genius Of our government and the
y nature of our free institutions demand in.
u telligence in the people extensively :; and
o the recti6cation of the miserable error,
e that apprentices, and those engaged in la
/. Dor through the day, have full right to
appropriate in idleness and folly, misscall'
ed recreation, the hours between toll and
. lsleep, is imperiously called for. Those
: ESPECIALLY who profess the name of Jesus,
: GU ght to feel the duty imperative on them
9, to make all the progress possible, at ieas
u in divine knowledge-the knowledge fur
- nished in :heir Bibles.
y The manner in which this individual
/; = has divided his time, or the course he has
=, pursued, in acquiring this great amour
y of knowledge, I am not able to say; bu
~ the way the "learned blacksmith" O
- Worcester, Elisha Burritt, whose name i
= well known, commenced the study of th'
= languages, was, whilst the iron was heat
ing, TO have his Latin grammar open, AM
20 catch what he could during the short in
= tervals of suapendng the hammer: afte
% he had finished his days work, then t
~ devote himself unremittingly to his stud.
- until bedtime, and to make the season G
e sleep short. His diary has entries some
-. thing of this kind: Monday, 9 hours {
-. ~, labor; also read SO lines of Virgil and 2
~ of Greek. Tuesday, 9 hours at labor
,Os also read SO lines ia Horace, so in H
mer, and 20 in Hebrew or Syriac, "-ur
. til at last he made himself more or LEI
-. acquainted with fifty languages. 1t W;
.s well, as distinguished foreigner has r
IN, marked, tina: his study was thus interruI
is ed by his daily toll. 1t has probably So,
+ ed his valuable life for many years to b
,g country Had he not been compelle
he t from the poverty of his parents, to appre
~ tice himself to trade, (which he did
~ his own accord, from the consideration
-: the numerous family of his father, and a
=. independence of spirit,) but been able
y devote his whole time to study, he wou
II have made short race of it, and the wor
~ have been but little the better for all h
~ Requirements. Hundreds of highly gift
~, Young men, who have filled the hearts
e;y parents and friends with the highest e
-. pectations by their wonderful literary ;
H. tainments, and have withered inconsum
I'D ton in the last year of collegiate stud
from excessive application, might no dou
:: have been saved to society, had they be
len required to spend half their time at the a
inr vii or the plough. .....
~, nas Il is matter of high congratulation Il
10 of much is doing at this day to give an i
u pulse to intellectual cultivation to all cla'
es and conditions in our country, by
organization of young mems associate
-en and Iyceums, and that clerks and apprt
nog tees are found extensively engaged in f
anu lthering their prosperity. The lectu
,'on delivered in them are frequently by n
le s of the first intellectual and moral standi
'say and most happy influence is felt il
~ ~ Ill l.f,ro