Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-06-18
MIR. POWERS CLASSICAL AND MA
THEMATICAL SCHOOL.

csng ceremonies at the close of the session of this
excellent School on Friday last, and heartily con-
cur in the high qualification expressed by all who
ton Of the Pupils, but roll had been kept exhibit
ing the standing of each in his various studies
throughout the session, and upon this, appropriate
marks Of appreciation We're conferred by the Teach
err The distinguished were divided into three
classes, one Of which was designated by a simple
annunciation of their names-another was awarded
written certificates Of profciency-'and third, be-
ing the highest, as uniting scholarship with uni
formly correct department, were presented in ad-
diton with handsomely bound copies Of the New
Testament. At the close of the ceremonies, Mr..
Powers delivered the following very handsome
and appropriate address to his Pupils-a copy of
which, at our request, has been furnished us for
publication
Y0ung Gentlemen Our session is now termi-
mated the relation which has subsisted between us
for SO long period is about to be dissolved rela
tion which, if rightly appreciated, is next to that of
parent and child, in sacredness, utility and impor
lance and which, however we may view it, is
fraught with much of good or evil to both parties.
In looking back over the period during which we
have been associated, am happy to find little to
regret much TO give pleasure. In the necessary
exercise of discipline, unpleasant feelings have pro-
badly been excited in your minds, and perhaps in
mine also but with me they have been as transient
as the morning cloud, and | trust that to-day we
can both look back over the of past labors
with feelings of almost unalloyed satisfaction. Your
department, on the whole, has given me little cause
for complaint Your habits OF study and general
proficiency have been such as not only to meet my
expectations, but in many cases to exceed them l
think that have endeavored to be faithful i'm the
discharge of my own duty. But if, as is but too
probable, errors and deficiencies have been manifest
IN my system OF government and instruction; if |
have sometimes been too harsh or too impatient if
through inadvertency have not always melted out
even-handed justice to all hope that these things
will be forgotten, and that whatever of fidelity OF OF
anxiety for your welfare | have shown, whatever
of sound advice or kindly admontion have given,
whatever salutary in precept or praiseworthy i'm
example have exhibited, will be kindly remeln-
bered and diligently carried out in your own life
L repeat, the connection which has existed be-
tween us is about to be broken With some it will
In all probability never he renewed. You will pass
to other scenes and come in contact with other
minds. Scattered abroad in various parts of this
vast country you will soon launch, prepared or UNI
prepared, on the stormy sea OF life TO battle with
its tempests, and to ride triumphant on its pillows
or sink beneath their power. Permit me, then, to
give you some parting advice which may aid YOU in
preparing for the duties that lie before you.
Youth has often been called the seed time of life
and 1t is so emphatcally but it is not the only seed
time. We should be sowing seed and reaping fruit
all our lives long. Education is not completed
when we leave school-it is the business of a life
time 1t is the employment of eternity. One OF
the chief objects OF going to school, is, that the boy
may learn to become his own Teacher. The path
OF life, rough and thorny as il is, has many sweet
flower blooming by the way side, and these you
must learn to find out and to gather. They will
cheer you on the way and relieve the journey of its
WEAKNESS. And dull and monotOnous as is the road,
there are fine particles of gold dust scattered here
and there which you must pick up one by one, and
you Will be surprised to find how you will have
acquired an Invaluable treasure. In other words
young Gentlemen, every day will present you some
thing worth learning; every thing around you will
furnish matter for instruction and reflection Deter
mine, therefore, 10 learn something useful every day
Keep your eyes always open, your mind ever on
the alert. See every thing, hear every thing, re-
fleet on every thing. But sedulously Gull what is
worth retaining and reject what is useless OF hurt
full. Do not mistake the weed for the flower, or
glitering earth for the precious metal. Remember,
too, that you have affections to cultivate and prn-
cipies to form and establish, well as talents to
improve. Truth and honor, an infexible adherence
to what is right ardent love of whatever is noble
and generous and great and good, a wide and ex-
panslve benevoence, ready sympathy for the suffer
ing, and tender regard for the happiness of others
In word, Love to God and Love to man,-these
are the foundations, the very stones of good
These principles your Bible teaches you
these your parents ought to teach you these your
teachers ought to incucae upon you, and these you
ought most sedulOusly and assduously to cult
vate yourselves. Without these, you may excite
but you cannot win affection or respect
Without these, your hearts may become the castles
or pride, but they never be the home of happi-
ness and peace.
There is, however, in these money making,
money loving days too great disposition to under
value the importance Of mental culture Boys soon
learn TO ask that truly American question ''What's
the use of it 2" Will Latin or Greek or Matherna-
tics, say they, enable me to get on better as Me
chanic, Farmer, a Merchant, or even as Lawyer
or Doctor? They certainly will. Even though
you should forget every thing you have ever learn
ed at school, the training you there received will
enable you to teach yourselves those things the
knowledge Of which. is requisite in the practical
pursuits OF life. But why not be intelligent and
highly cultivated gentleman in any vocation which
you may select? What is it that distinguishes
you from the horse you ride or the dog you hunt
with! Not the body +: for then they wouldb be your
suPeriors they arc stronger and swifter than you.
NO! not the body, but the MIND! TIE MINOR
TAI MIND! with its holy affections, its noble asp-
1ations, Its grasp of thought-bearing the impress
oil the DIVINITY, destined to keep company with an
gels and to enlarge in its capacities and enioyments
as ETERNITY rolls on. And shall the mind be suffer
ed 70 lie dormant and unmproved like pearl en-
cased IN its SHELL while the body, feeble, pershing,
clothes, fed with dantes and trained to STRENGTH
agility and grace, as if it were the proper source Of
all our enjoyment. 1t is the MIND, youno Gentle
men, that makes the man. The mind after all is
the source of all pleasure and pain, and in pronor,
tion as it is well cultivated and well regulated will
pam have less power over us, and pleasure be more
refined and exquisite. For what, think you. did
the Creator spread around ns ca many crrnnL ii