Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1847-06-09
LABOR.


IL A greater and perhaps more pernicious er-
ror never crept into human philosophy, or formed
part of current theology, than the idea that the
necessity to labor is curse; and hence that to get
rid of work is blessing Man is so constituted that
labor of some kind is just necessary TO his ply
steal and intellectual development and well-being,
food is for the preservation of his existence The
curse is rather upon those who do not than upon
those who do, work. In speaking, however, of the
blessings of labor of course mean in its Just
proportions" In excess it does great harm. 1t is
not good when made the sole business of life. 1t
must be joined with higher means of improvement,
or it degrades instead of exalting Man has a
various nature which requires variety OF occupa-
ton and discipline for its growth. Study, medta-
ton, society reaxation should be mixed up with
his physical toll lie has intellect, heart, imagin-
alton, tastes well as bones and MUSCLES; and he
is grievously wronged when compelled to exclusive
drudgery for the supply of bodily wants. Society,
as organized. does this grieyous wrong with
respect to the toing masses, while it subjects oti.-
er portions to the curse of exemption from labor to
Au4ClCSS w HILL iIc greater cNI Ol tic lAO III Tie
extent OF pernicious influence upon mind and body,
1t were hard to determines but together they are
the leading causes of human degradation, misery
and crime. Men, we are happy to believe, are AVA
kening to consciousness of the truth in regard to
their conditon-the evil and its cause-and their
efforts for reform, however unpromisins or unsuc-
cesslul at first must, If porsevered in, be attended
with success.
Dr. Charming, in his lecture on the Elevation of
the Laborng Glasses, says, in regard 10 labor:
." have faith in labor, and see the goodness Of
God in placing us in world where labor alone can
keep us alive. / would not change. if could cur
objection to physical laws our exposure to hunger
and cold and the necessity of constant conflicts
with the material world. ! would not, if could,
SO temper the elements that they should nluse into
only grateful sensations, that they should make
vegetation so eykuberant as to anticipate every
want and the minerals so ductle as to offer no re-
sstance to strength and skill. Such world
would make q contemplate race. Man owes his
growth, his energy, chiefly to that striving of the
will that conflict with difficulty which we call eff
fort Easy, pleasant work, does not make robust
minds, does not give men a consciousness of their
powers, does not train them TO endurance II perse-
Verance to steady force OF will that force without
which all other eXerons avail nothing. Manual la
Dor is a school in which men are placed to Get en-
eTgy OF purpose and character-a vastly more inn
portant endowment than all the learning OF all other
schools. They are placed, indeed, Under hard mas
tiers. physical sutierlngs and wants the power of
tearu elements, and the Wcissitudes Of all human
things; but these stern teachers do a work which
no compassionate intelligent friend could do for u.s.
and true wisdom will bless Providence for their
sharp ministry. | have great faith in hard work
ihesnlattrlal world does much Ior the mind by its
beauty and ORDER but it does for our minds by
the pains it inficts, by It's obstinate resistance
which nothing but patient toll can overcome, by
It's vast forces which nothing bat unremitting skill
and effort can turn use, by It's perils which
demand continual vigilance, and by its tendencies
to decay believe that difficulties are more inl-
portant 10 the human mind than what we call as
sistance. Work we all must, if we mean to bring
out and perfect nature. Even if we doanot work
with the hands, we must undergo equivalent toll in
some other direction. No business or study which
does not present obstacs -taskng TO the full the
intellect and the will, Is worthy OF man. In
science he who does not gTappGe with hard ques-
tons, does not concentrate his whole intellect in
vigorous attention, who does not aim to penetrate
what at fst repels him. will never at.ainro mt fta4
force. The uses OF toll reach beyond the. present
world. The capacity of steady earnest labor is
t'I'tIholI' VIC VI Oi iCt PIE ll ttIOiI9
er state Of being When | see the vast amount Of
toll required Of men, ! leel trr@ it must have i'm
portaat connections with their future existence, and
That he who has met this discipline manfully has
laid one essential foundation Improvement exerton
and happiness IN the world to come. You will here
see that to me labor has great dignity. 1t is not
simply the grand instrument by which the earth is
oyerspread with truitiuness and beauty and the
ocean subdued, and matter wrought into innumera-
be forms for comfort and ornament. 1t has far
higher function, which is 10 give force to the will
efficiency, courage, the capacity Of endurance, and
of perseyering devotion to far reaching plans
Alas! for the who has not learned to work
lie is a poor creature! He does not know himself
He depends on others, with no capacity OF making
returns icr the support they give and let him not
fancy that he has monopoly of enjoyment Ease
rest owes It's deiciousnes to toll, and nc toll is so
bardcasomo as the rest of him who has nothing to
task and quicken his powers