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

the Bloomsburg Lyceutp, by DR.. WM. II.
PErrssrN, on "Wednesday evening, the
l0,h inst, aud politely furnished for pub.
lication at the request ofthe society, unan-
inously expressed.
MIR. President nt--J.sdes and Gentle
men, n
lthaving devolved upon me, to de-
liver o lecture on some important
subject, an this occasion have chosen
thai Of Self Civilization; which appears
10 me, peculiarly appropriate as an
ini,iatory lecture, before literary So
ciety. Self.improvcmeni, is word
with which we should be very famil-
lar IN cur language, for there is not
one subject, end, or blessing, implied
in any other word, that transcends it
when taken in its broades, sense. 1t
is net only the instinct of nature, but
the dictate Of reason, and is eomming-
gled with every thing. to which man
can either aspire or rise to. As men,
il calls forth the most ennobling prin-
ciples of conduct, and informs Us, that
wc may be great, 10 every situation of
life. 1t presents TO US the grandeur
ofnatuie, and, if we will but improve
it, turns 10 naught all outward dis
iinctions. it reminds each enc Of us,
that knowledge,
Like a crystal spring, lies hid,
Until the earth 6 rubbish, is removed;
When il shoots forth, meapdering on
its way.
And sparkles brightly, on the sunny
day.
Such metaphoricalIy, is the condition
Of the human mind, until by self-cul-
turc, IFS dormant springs,( Tor faculties)
are developed, and the rubbish, Of ig-
rorance removed, when the iote llectu-
al requirements shine forth, with re-
fulgent splendor. and serve 10 light
and refresh us through life. The
mind, like precious stone in its
roughness, would not, without cuhi-
vation, attain that high value, and
splendid perfection, which it obtains
by culture; but like the precious gem,
would have its beauty and worth con-
eealed beneath an unpublished surface,
which would never reflect the pre-
cious light of intellect around us.
Knowledge g. wisdom are not i'm
bibed intuitively, hut require study,
and labour on our part, in rejecting,
considering. and judging, TO obtain,
ascertain its value, and apply it to
ITS proper uses.
But in order, TO illustrate this sub
jsct, more fully, will proceed, TO
treat of it, as follows:
Firstly its prerequisites Secondly its
elements; & Thirdly, its means of ac-
quiremen'.
First its prerequisites, or what it
implies. They are First, self
consciousness; Second, self Govern
ment;and Thirdly, self fol nation, all
Of which are comprised in self
cultivation.
First self CO seriousness. This is
absolutely necessary. To have
knowledge of ourselves is pre-
liminary step in the attainment Of
knowledge.--lf we would know our
selves. we must penetrate and look in
to our own minds aud enquire as 10
their con ditlon and culture, when af-
ter giving an impartial decislo.', we
will be capable Of receiving that IN
formation which is so desirable. We
should while turning our attention 10
outward things, not neglect those Of
the Inward man. If we do, we shall be
like barren fruit trees, but eneumbran-
ces to the ground. If we would i'm
prove,we must not be strangers TO our
selves, bat having knowledge of the
state of our own minds. we will be
esnscious OF our ignorance, and will
therefore be desirous Of cultivation
and improvement.
Having surmounted this first step.
ping stone 10 selfimprovement, the
Eext prerequisite to it, is, secondly
self government
IL is Indispensable TO self-culture
that we should be able to rule our
selves--he able to fix the attention
upon the subject of study, and con-
fac our thoughts to il, aud it alone,
allowing nothing else 10 engross our
thoughts. When we have obtained
this conquest over our minds, every