Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-09-25
WHOLE NUMBER Gll.

10 the city's dusty ways. where sooner or ialer
the nature and extent Of his mistake breaks upon
him. lfhe finds satisfactory employment and is
prospered in the way Of life which he prefers,
the cares and commands Of business almost con-
strain him to renquish those pursuits for which
he abandoned his more quiet and natural life
II he IS less fortunate, anXIete5 for the morrow,
constant and difficult struggle for the means Of
creditable Substance, and 10 avoid becoming a
burhen or a detrimeut 10 others who have trust
ed or endeavored 10 sustain him, these crowd
out Of being the thought or the hope Of mental
culture and advancement Nay, more, or worse
in the tunulturJus strife Of business and mo-
ney getting, whether successful or otherwise.
the very desire Of intellectual elevation is TOO
often stifed or greatly enieebIed, and that death
Of the soul cnsues in which satisfaction Of the
physical appetite becomes the aim Of Iiic-thc
man is sunk in the capitalist or trader, and the
gathering Of shining dust made lhe grcaI end Of
his being.
But what shall the youth do who finds his
means Of Intellectual culture inadequate to his
wants! ! hesitate not 10 say that h. should CHE
ATE more and better just where he is. Not ihat
would have him reject any real opportunity or
prOfcr Of increased facilities which may open
before BIN. will not say that he should not
accept a university education; the means Of stu
dying for profession, if such should come fair
ly in his way, and be seconded By his inclinalon.
But do insist that nothing Of this sort is essen
tial to the great end he has or should have in
|ylew-namely, sell-culturc. To this end il is
only neediul that he should put forth fully the
power within him, and rightly mould the crcum-
stances by which he is surrounded. Are the
| books within reach, though few and faulty! let
him purchase few Of the very best, and study
them intcnlly and thoroughly. lie who is ac-
qualnted with the writings Of a very few Of the
worlds master spirits can never after be deemed
ignorant or undcyeloped. To know intimately
the Bible and Shakespeare, and the elements Of
history and the physical sciences, is 10 have I'M
bibed the substance Of all human Knowledge
That knowledge may be presented in thousand
varied, graceful and attractive forms, and the va
riations may be highly agreeable and useful
nay, they are so. But. though they may I'M
prove, refine and farlilze, $50 10 spcak.) they DO
not make the MAN. If he has the elements
within him, no future hour Of solitude can
/ be lonesome, or tiresOme or prOhtcss. The
mild moon or the calm high stars are companions
ship and instruction, eloquent, significant, and
more impressive than the Profoundest volumes.
But grant that greater or more varied means
Of culture than the individuals narrow means
can supply are desirable, has he not still modes
OF procuring them! Is he solitary, and our
|goodly land his Isle of Juan Fernandcs! Are
there not Others all around him, if not Of one
kindred taste and aspirations, may be awakened!
May he not gather around him in the rudest
township or vicinity some dozen or more of
young men in whom the celestial spark, if not
already glowing, may be kindIcd TO warmth and
radiance. And by the union of these. may not
all their mutual mental wants BE- aJuudanllv sup
piled!
And herein is found one of the pcryaling ad.
yantages of the cause | would commend. The
awakened youth who has Withdrawn 10 the semi
nary or the city may have secured his own ad-
vanccment but he who has remained constant
to his childhood's home, its duties and associates.
will probably have attracted others TO enter with
him on the true pathway of life. The good thus
accomplished time may not measure. Doubtless
many village lyceum, many township libra
ry, owes its existence 10 the impulse given BY
some poor and humble youth, inspired by the
love of knowledge and wisdom.
~. The great central truth which would i'm
press on the minds of my readers is ths-pre-
missing genuine energy and singlencss Of pur-
pose-the circumstances are nothing, the man is
all. We may be the slaves or TOYS of circum-
stances five will; most men, perhaps, are so; and
10 these all circumstances are alike cyil-that IS
rendered so, if not by rugged difficulty, then by
soft temptation. But that nwhotruly yruleth his
own spirit, q such there is, even among us-rea.
Oily defes all material influences, or bends them
to his will. Be hopeful, be confident, then. o.
friend! if thou hast achieved this great conquest
and believe that all else shall follow in due sea
son.