Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-08-14
For the Stanton Spectator.
z ID NC A TON

What exercise and food to the body education is
nourshment and exercise the body will become debii
tated, that health desirable will yield disease and
that withits departure happiness So it is with
the mind III II is uncutv ated its powers will be weak
and contracted, the responsibilities Of life will not be
apprchended, and its duties performed The happi-
ness OF the individual will be cnrailcd and his misery
augmented For he who has not acquired habits OF read
ing and reflection must necessarily to something
to Kill his vacant hours The mind unemployed will
prey upon ITSELF and then perhaps the intoxicating bowl
or the convivial board will be resorted to- kill the
precious hours of time. Bit il he has been taught to
read and reflect he spend his leisure hours holding
converse with the most Intelligent of our land with the
most renowned and distinguished of the carh only
OF our day, but of every age of the world And thus
BY reading the writings Of wise men, who have lived in
different ages of the world he can see the course pur
sued by them in all the different circumstances of life
and the result OF such COURSE and thus profit by their
he gain inorma,s Upon raoraI political and re-
gous subjects OF the greatest practical utility, for it
an axom that similar causes do ever produce similar
enable him to pursue the wisest III adverse cir
cpmtances, and to exercise the greatest wisdom in a.
voidng difficulties he will also be acquiring taste for
reading increasing his knowledge, his Usefulness and
happiness The pleasure derived by him. who is accus
toned to read and reflect perusing the writings otbe
anclens and as 1t were entering into their midst view
ing their empoymcnts and amusenens their useful arts
and novel inventions, is known only to the initiated
He can enter into their religious assemblies and see Inc
devoec PROSTATE himself before his dumb IDOL and there
learn lessons OF wisdom, he may go with the hrong
to their games and there the gadators meet upo1
the arena OF blood and engage in the deadly combat and
hear the enthusiastic multitude PENDING the air with
shouts of applause and this scene Of horror learn
the nature of man. And thus his leisure hours instead
of dragging heavily will be employed uscully and most
agreeably But is absolutely necessary for the rood
OF our country that we as nation be educated Can
that Individual, who cannot read his yernacular
IN ,! discharge the high duties of citizen
OF this Republic Can he give reason why he
stands connected with either OF the great political par
ties Or he not rather passive tool in the hands of
his more intelligent and designing neishbor? And
n rim hfcfru
from Of the counties of this State in
the legislative hall some few years ago. who when CALI
aou non ms s question then before the
he will vote as did his neighbor. Besides he is liable
10 be led astray on moral subjects The common duties
and benefits of society which belong to every man as
social being and the necessary relations to family or
peighborhood, compel every person daily TO use their
rejecting powers The judgment is called forth every
sons, things, actions. Without well cultivated
mind to determine dscrcetly upon these things of hourly
occurrence, we will be plunged into perpetual errors Of
conduct.
But if it be necessary that every individual be able 20
decide for himself upon political and moral subjects il
certainly much more necessary that he be qualified 10
Judge correctly it regards the things which concern
his well being in the net world. The interests Of The
soul are at stake. Heaven is to be lost won. Man is
And all this depends upon his bayne r sb
understanding of the plan of and acting proper
ly in regard to it, In this age of sects and isms when
doctrines diverse taught by the professed minis
tiers Of God let every one be educated at least
y well to decide for himself what is truth and what is
error.
to be regretted that many of the farmers and
mechanics Of this county and of the State generally
who are abundanty able to educate their children we'll
scarcely teach them to read and write. Whilst they
with all the affection Of father labor gain wealth
that they may bostow it upon their children and give
them start in the world, as it is called they FORGET to
cultivate the immortal mind. This, the nobcst psrt of
man, es in The embryo state this the impress Of Hca-
yen IS uncultyatcd, is unmProvcd. Is this not like
giving son stone when he asks bread and giving him
aserpent when he asks fish, When will the people
OF Augusta see tho importance of education /? When
will they throw off their chains of ignorance and super
stton, ANXIOUS EDUCATISNIS