The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1847-06-19


abandoned his more quiet and natural life.
IL he is less fortunate, anxieties for the
morrow, constant and difficult struggle
for the means Of creditable subsistence, and
to avoid becoming burthen or detriment
to Others who have trusted or endeavored to
sustain him, these crowd out of being the
thought or the hope Of mental culture and
advancement. Nay, more, and worse--in
the tmnulhlops strife of business and money
getting, whether successful or otherwise, the
very desire of intellectual elevation is 100
stined or greatly enfeebled, and that death
Of the soul ensues in which satisfaction of
the physical appetite becomes the aim of
life--the man is sunk in the capitalist on
trader, and the gathering Of shining dust
made the great end of his being "..
But what shall the youth do who finds his
means of intellectual culture inadequate to
his wants. hesitate not to say that he
should CREATE more and better Just where
he is. Not that | would have him reject
any real opportunity or Proffer Of increased
facilities which may open before him. |
will not say that he should not accept a
university education, the means for studying
for a profession, if such should come fairly
in his way, and be seconded by his own
inclination. But | do insist that nothing
of this sort is ESSENTIAL to the great end he
has or should have in view-namely, self
culture. To this end il is only needful
that he should put forth fully the powers
within him, and rightly mould the circum-
stances by which he is surrounded Are
the books within reach few and faulty? let
him purchaSf a few Of the very best, and
study them intently and thoroughly. He
who is acquainted with the writings of a
very few the worlds master spirits can
never after be deemed ignorant or undevel.
oped. To know Intimately the Bible and
Shakespeare, and the elements of history
and the physical sciences, is to have imbib-
ed the substance of all human knowledge
That knowledge may be presented in a
thousand varied graceful, and attractive
forms, and the variations may be highly
agreeable and useiul--nay, they are So
But, though they may improve, refine and
fertalize, $50 to speak, they do not MAKE
the MAN IL he has tie elements within
him, no future hour of solitude can be lone
some, or tlresome, or prohtleSS. The mild
moon and the calm high stars are compan-
onship and instruction, eloquent, of deep
significance, and more impressive than the
proioundest volumes.
But grant that greater or more varied
means Of culture than the individuals mar
row means can supply are desirable, has he
not still modes Of procuring them! Is be a
solitary, and our good land his Isle of Juan
Fernandez Are there not others all around
him, il tolof kindred tastes and aspirations.
at least in whom kindred aspirations NAV
be awakened! May he not gather around
him in the rldest township or vicinity some
dozen or more of young men in whom the
celestial spark, if not already growing, may
be kintled to warmth and radiance. And
by the union Of these. may not all their
mutual mental wants be abundan,ly sup
piled!
And herein is found one of the pervading
advantages of the cause | would commend.
The awakened youth who has Withdrawn
to the seminary OF the city may have secured
his own advancement but he who has
remained constant to his childhood's home.
its duties and associates, will probably have
attracted others TO enter with him OH the
true pathway of life The good thus &C
complished time may not measure Doubt
less MANI 4 village lyceum, many town
ship lib,ay, owes its existence To the
impulse given by some poor and humble
youth, inspired by the love Of knowledge
and of wisdom
". The great central truth which |
would impress on the minds Of my readers
is this-pTemising a genuine energy and
singlcness Of purpose-the circumstances
are nothing the MAN is all. We may be
the slaves or toys OF circumstance if We
will most men, perhaps, are 50; and to
these all circumstances are alike evil--that
is, rendered 50, if not by rugged difficulty
then by soft temptation. But that man who
truly ruleth his own sp,rit-and such there
is, even among us-readily deheS all mate
rial 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
season.