The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1846-01-17

OF Tile pTOuueSt IdUhiitS VI CPdiD are
descended from the Daughter Of Israel.
1'9 'a From the Erie Observer.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE MIND.
Every person must feel, in this en-
lightened age, the importance of cult
yating his own mind-of gaining self
knowledge and acquiring n habit Of
thinking and judging for himself. To
those who do thus feel, who have a
restless desire for knowledge, shall
suggest few practical hints, (which may
serve to stimulate them to press on
ward in their laudible pursuit.
In order successfully to engage in the
acquisition OF knowledge, the improve
ment of the understanding, we should
labor deeply to possess our minds Of the
vast Importance Of beautifying and en-
riching the mind with various knowl-
edge; Of thinking with order and pre-
cision n, and of forming an independent
Judgment, whenever our reasoning
powers may be called into exercise
We should labor to feel how destitute
and barren our minds are at present;
how imperfect our present attainments.
And while we are conscious of the mar
rowness of our minds, let US for mo.
ment turn our attention to those great
men, the beneiactors OF our race, who
lived in by-gone years, and behold the
almost incredible advances they have
made in the arts and sciences, and in
moral excellence.
Look at a Newton, whose gigantic
intellect discovered the laws by which
the planets are bound in the eternal
course around common centre-a
Milton. whose immortal strains will be
sung with increasing rapture to the la
test posterity-a Franklin, whose prac-
lical wisdom has justly rendered him
immortal. o theirs might be mentioned
but these are enough. Some may say
these were more than ordinary men.
True, but did they not make themselves
such by their own application, perse-
verence and energy? Do not be con-
tented with your present attainments.
Have standard of excelle nee, and let
it be elevated. Selectsome person as
a model, who is worthy of your imita-
ton, and strive By. every laudable ex-
ertion to equal him. You can do it
you may even excel, there is not that
Inference in the mental powers ofmen
naturally as some suppose, but the dit
ference we see in men is owing in Il
great degree to the difference in op-
portunities and application to study.
Having mentioned a few of the mo-
tives by which we should be governed
in order to promote se.fcuIture,I now
purpose to give few practical direc-
tions, by the observance OF which it
may be done. And first | would men
ton books as being an invaluable means
of communication, which are within
the reach of all. In the best books
great men talk tous, give US their most
precious thoughts, and pour their souls
into ours. They are the voices of the
living and the dead. They give to all
who will faithfully use them, the socIe-
ty, the spiritual presence ofthe greatest
Of our race. "No matter how poor |
am SAYS Claiming, "no matter though
the prosperous Of my own time will
not enter my obscure dwelling, if the
sacred writer's will enter and take up
their abode under my roof, if Milton
will cross my threshold and sing to me
Of Paradise; and Shakespeare, to open
to me the world of Imagination, and
the workings of the human heart: and
Franklin to enrich me with his practi-
cal wisdom, | shall not pine for want Of
intellectual companionship, and may
become a cultivated man, though ex-
cluded from what is called the best So
ciety in the place where i've"
Yet there are great many who say
they have no time to read. What! no
time to read and improve your mind!
You have time to cultivate your fields
and your gardens, but no time to cult
vate your immortal mind! You have
time to do every thing that in yonr
view will fill your Golfers with gold
inconsistency. Has your
Creator given you a mind of various
powers and faculties. susceptible of
high degrees of cultivation, and has He
given you no time to improve it. 1t is
not so. He commands you to get
knowledge and wisdom and understan-
ding. Receive instruction and moi
silver, and knowledge rather than
choice gold, are the words of inspira-
lion. How full Of meaning the inspi-
red penman seems powerfully to have
elt the importance of knowledge. of
well cultivated mind. He seems to
lave had a knowledge, Of human ma
ure. He knew how prone mankind
|, ro 70 caae rschas ro tbor thor l,zo,.J