Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1841-07-15
.B oral anD 2seltg,oMs.
FOR THE TELEGRAPH.
PERSEVERANCE.

For Tie people hada mind to acorh.-Neh. a g.
These words were spoken by the prophet Ne
hemiah, while the rebuilding of the city of Je
rusalem was in progress. Tie prophet as though
some one had inquired how ii was that he made
such progress in building the wall, notwthstand-
ing the many obstacles he had 10 encounter. says,
as though he would make reply to the inquiry,
for, or, to another form of expression, because
the people had mind to work
The history of this enterprise is full of instruc-
ton. The truth which we shall draw from this
history is this, viz
That Mereis hardly any limit 10 ,.hat may be
accomplished, aUhen ave Z" hars mind TO work, or
in other acordS, when the potcers both Of The body and
mind are concentrated fowar2s the accomplishment
ofany desired end.
What is there that resists the influence of this
allsnbduing power' Barriers to human exer-
tion which were considered by all mankind as
too strongly fortified to be moved by any influ-
ence have yielded to its resistless energy What
mighty wonders has it effected and is it still eff
fecting in our world As we look over the pages of
ancient history, we read of Alexander the Great,
at the head of his well disciplined armies subdung
kingdom after kingdom, and empire after empire,
till at length he becomes Conqueror Of The rorid !!
What secret hidden power could it have been
that enabled him to accomplish such wonders p
All, it was the secret but mighty efficacy of" a
miadto scorh" But we need not go back to
cient HISTORY to find exempfcations of this truth
the history of modern times abounds with such
instances. Those acquainted with the history of
oar own country well know that our forefathcrs
were men who had very just ideas of civil and
religious liberty and were their most Jealous ad-
vocates. They were also distinguished for their
rigid virtues and strict economy which obtained
for them the name of Puritans Finding that in
their own country they cond not pursue that
course of conduct which their consciences dcta-
ted, finally they conclude to remove 10 America,
with the hope ofhcfe finding place for those vir-
tues with which they had long endeavored in vain
to bless their own country. All things being in
readiness, at length the appoi ntcd day arrives,
and they embark for America, Now follows
series of sutferings which has but few parallels in
the history of the world RIethnks ! see them
on oceans vast expanse in that solitary ship the
Mayfowcr, exposed to the mercy of the winds
anu buC waves. 4NoW Tie IuTiOuS WtnuS rush
from their Eoan prison, the waves rise noun
tain-hgh, and every moment threatens them with
destruction. Now gentle zephyrs watt them
across oceans bed and inspire them with the most
pleasing antcipations. After long and tedious
voyage, they safely arrive at their long desired
haven. Having escaped the perls of the ocean,
they now meet the ice bound shores of Plymouth,
md oa,4e..A arainst In Oh 20 Al
merciless savage Notwithstanding, however,
all the opposition that could be raised against
them, they, like Nehemiah, still pursued with UNI
abated ardor their noble enterprise and, after
passing through many scenes of suffering and
danger, at length succeeded in laying the foun-
dation of this great nation Here we see what
:" a mind to ,cOrh" can effect Descending to la
ter times, we see the New England Colonies la
boring under the yoke of British oppression For
a long time, they bore the expressions of the
mother country without offering it any resistance
But soon that unconquerable spirit of freedom
which had been nourshed and strengthened by
British cruelty, broke out into open insurrection
Led on by such a man as Washington, they dis
regarded all adverse circumstances, keeping con-
stantly before their minds the noble objects for
which they were contending, Life, Liberty and
Free Institutions. This melted them to vigorous
action, which, kept alive by the patriotic exam
pie of their leader, carried them through many a
'hard-fought battle, and finally enabled them TO
achieve the independence of this Nation What
but ga mind to aOork" could have accomplished
an object SO difficult, SO hazardous, and yet so
glorious
1t is to these men-our forefathers, that we are
indebted, under God, for that peace, prosperity
and happiness which now so universally pervade
our land But for them and similar patriots, this
land would, probably, to this day, have been en-
,yeloped in heathenish darkness Instead ofhouses
.consecrated to the worship of God, there would
have been temples devoted to the worship of idols.
Our forefathers blessed US, not only by handing