Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-06-11
For Young Wen.
Spring.Life and IFS LabOrs.

Nature is just putting forth her invigorated
energies to tear herself from the thraldom of
stern winter and
"Sturdy March, with brows full sterny bent
And armed more strongly"
rides out upon the earth, sweeping the snow
from her bosom, and laying open her soils to the
genial influence of the sun This is the month
which the quaint old poet describes as bearing
in his strong hands spade; placing in his bag
all sorts Of Seeds
(which on the earth he srewed as he went,
And filled her womb with fruitful hope of noursh-
ment"
1t is a season of high antcipations and strong
and cxullng hope. Man looks out upon the
face of the heavens and sees the clouds and the
tempests fast fleeing away; and the suns broad
visage sends ont CLEAN of light which prom
ises bright days and peace and plenty to the
husbandman. He behods the rivers and the
streams bursting from their ice-bound beds and
dashing on their ocean-ward course as if under
the impulse of instructive life. He sees in this
acknowledgements of nature, an emblem of his
own renewed existence Well is it for him. if
having abided the storm and the cold of winter,
he can welcome the spring with joy and glad
ness There is spring time of Life as well as
of the wear when the heart expands with gem
erous impulses and strengthens itself to manly
efforts 1t is the season Of activity; when eve
ry exertion to throw off the torpldity of incidence
and repose, impars new strength to the constl-
tuition, and arms the mind and the body with
vigor and power for new achievements 1t is a
season when, fever, man realizes the truth that
the life of existence is LABOR; that he was not
made merely to consume the fruits Of the earth,
with no other purpose than to CRAFTY the taste,
feed the appetite and revel in unrestricted ndu-
gence.
Arouse myself then, o young man with this
season throw off stupidity and repose. There
is world of labor before you and he who
would merit well, must be valient in service
Do not mediate great schemes; this is not what
we counsel We are fond Of no Quixotic ad-
ventures. Great exploits must necessarily be
few; but every man, in his sphere, may and must
be brave if he would be useful. There are lau-
dible exertions this side of heroic achievements.
In the humbest walks Of life, the young man,
studious Of adjoining and serving society, will
find objects worthy of his purpose. There are
exertions of beneyolence extending through a
broad compass, and infinitely varied in kind and
degree. A brother asks a helping hand in his
struggle with poverty or adversely sister IN
ner Weakness leans on you for support The
bravery of your heart is in question, when such
demands are made upon your efforts--e 1t moi
be found wanting. The stranger in distress may
offer no claim TO your aid but his misery-Ie
Lin not tax your generosity in vain. A friend
may suffer base aspersions and false accusation
and SANDER, without the courage to ward oft the
ASSAULT will require moral courage, but yot
must come to his rescue. And then again yot
have world of labor within yourself That IN
tellect must be cultivated those affections edu
Gated to healthfu exercise; those stormy pas
sons subdued; those young, strong and impuI
sye instincts must all be directed IN the RICH
course Enough work you have to do, younI
man and you cannot begin too early III tn
! season The spring time of life is short am
S fees rapidly away You must SOW your see