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

recipient, and also the distributor OF
intelligence. its cultivation must ne
cessariIy be requisite, in order that we
may have its full and proper exercise.
Th&esire for knowledge is like an
endless thirst, never satisfied, but on
ly increased, the mole il is gratiied.
1t is our minds that render Us superior
TO brutes, and we should therefore, cul-
tivste them, SO, that our animal (Which
we possess IN common with anmalsl
should not predominaie over our in
tellectual faculties.
lnaperfect system Of intellectual
culture, care should be taken 10 avoid
the two extremes arising from paricu-
larization and generalization, which
they are apt TO fall into, as the one who
happens 10 acquire the first habit, will
obtain a character only for particular
business, aud facility of expression
on some one subject or other; while
the latter, will possess a character for
general intelligence and will be able
to express himself elequently in gen.
eral terms, but in tie details of bust
ness, exhibits every mark Of irresou-
ton and incapacity. The first marks
the man of business, the last the phi
losopher.
There is no country in the world,
perhaps, that affords SO great facilities,
or so great inducements, for the attain
ment Of knowledge as our own. Tai
ent is here, the recognizing mark of
distinction, when combined with NOR
al worth; which enables every man,
however humble his occupation, to at
tain the highest rank of philosophers
and statesmen, as we have many ex-
amples Of.
"Expert men," says Lord Bacon"
car execute and judge of particulars,
one by one; but the general counsels,
and the plots, and marshalling of af-
fairs, come best from those who are
learned"
We would abe strangers to self cul.
tivaiion five were only to obtain
knowledge(which is but the food of our
mental growth and were not to use
it,
We must learn to think also as well
as know, so that we will have feun-
dation for more elevated and wider
truths.
The mind when cultivated, like
flower nurtured by the hand of art,
will expand in proportion as il is cul-
tured. Or in the language Of poetry:
'Tis cultivation, that unfolds the mind,
Expands our reason, beauties the
whole,
Leaving The impress, Of its course be-
hind.
To brighten, and to elevate the soul.
Train up the faculties Of the mind in
the correct course, and it will not fail
TO be manifest, not only by increasing
the size of the brain, but by manifest
increase Of its operations or emana-
tions.
We will now proceed 10 consider it
in another relation viz:
That ofMoral-culture-The import
ance of the cultivation of the moral
faculties will be very apparent, if we
take into consideration, that in our Or
dinary transactions and intercourse
with the world, our selfish propensi.
ties and sentiments are almost exclu-
sively exercised, which unless some
portion Of our time was alct.ad to
the reception of moral instruction,
would tend greatly TO the produc.
ton of depravily. 1t is of the utmost
Importance, that the moral faculties
should be particularly exercised early
in life, when the mind is least inllu-
enced by the antagonist influences; so
that the impression may out last eve.
ry other. All our efforts should be
IN accordance with the moral govern
ment of God, and with the moral con-
stitution Of the universe. We should
analyze our moral and religious fscul-
ties, and adopt those practices which
they clearly point out. The doctrines
and precep.s of revelation are censd-
cred as the best, and only correct law
eXtant upon this subject, and must
therefore be our chiel guide.
The limits of a lecture not admit
ting ola more general discussion of
this part efthe subject, | will proceed
to consider some of The means of self
rtilturc--'rh;a suhieot occun;o. euoL