The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1841-02-20

and impellant powers, by which the
means and influences are directed, that
promote their growth and strength.
The mark Of attainment being always
kept in view, will stimulate us to press
forward; and although we may not be
able to attain perfection, will come
within its presincts. We can adopt
or suppress this or that trait of charac-
Ter; that habit cultivate or conquer;this
propensity direct or eradicate. Eve
ry attainment we make should be con-
sidered but as the basis of another
and more lofty growth-like seed
planted in the ground multiplying
with every growth.
Second, the elements, or first prin-
ciples of sef-cultivation.
These commence their application
in youth, and like The cultivation Of
the tender shoot rising 10 tree, re-
quire moi only watchrulness and at
,ention, but the application Of The aids
and means of growth. Therefore in
order 10 cultivate self, we nust by
proper exercise of, endeavor TO devel-
ope our mental organs: especially
those which perform our highest and
mobiles, actions, & that we may become
well proporlioned &vigorous, our ply.
sical powers should be equally exer-
cised.
will now proceed 10 treat of self
culture in its various departments; and
Notwithstanding they advance togeth.
er, and each has al Influence over ;he
other, will notice each by itself, that
the subjcct may be distinct before us.
First self cultivation should be ply
sical
We are so accustomed TO hear this
subject treated of, without the relation
Of the body being taken into consider
alton, that it may appear singular that
it should become the first object Of at
tenlon.
Self cultivation is the Improvement
OF all that we are, both physically
mentally, and morally. 1t is is abso-
lutely necessary, in order TO have
sound and healthful minds, that our
bodies be heal,hful and sound The
exercise of the body and mind, should
go hand in hand, in order to keep up
healthful action in both. This is a
subject which is often entirely over
looked, in consequence Of which, years
of suffering are entailed upon us. This
example is applicable to parents. This
one from an honest but mistaken in
,ention cf proving the mind of his
child, has il cooped up in an i'll ver-
tilated school room, confined and bent
down to studies three fourlhs of lis
time, at an age when it is of The Ut
most importance, hat the chief care
should be taken in the exercise Of the
physical system. Perhaps also. from
mistaken tenderness, when not at
school, he confines his child almost
entirely, to warm apartments, as
though the pure air OF Heaven was
not intended TO be breahcd, d,until heat
ed within walls by furnace. So
that between confinement at home and
at school, the poor sufferer is almost
as much confined as if in peniten-
tiary; and languishes, for want Of
bodily exercise in lbe open air.
DR.. Rush says "thcy should be
drawn from study, by teaching them
useful or ornamental bodily exercises.
Rosscau was of opinion, that the
exercise Of the body should always
precede that of the mind.
DR.. Rush describes very beautiful
ly, an eXemplifcation of this remark,
which occurred at the house Of gen.
tleman in the neighborhood of Edin-
burg; who introduced one Of his
daughters. then about five years old,
with little apinning wheel, at which
she worked with great dexterity, sing
ing at the same time, well known
song, suited 10 her employ yment, TO
the grea, delight of large and respect
able company.
When will this sacrifice of the
health, for the pride of having IA
superior child be done away with, SO
that its physical, may not be sacrificed
by its premature growth?
Such are the causes in present times,
Of so many instances Of wiled, feeble,
and sickly, or remarkable children,
of mushroom growth of mind, which
by this forced hot he'd action of fhe