Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1847-03-05

in indolencel Why not make stern resolves to use
70 the he's, advantage these means of self culture
With these facilities, who that is animated by a
penerous and becoming enthusiasm, to do ANYTHING
like Justice to his nndying nature, may not daily res
cue from total waste, valuable fragments of tmegol
den moments-whch with unspcakable advantage
NAV he devoted to communion with the wsest and
best of present and past time, through their writings
BIT never should one human mind bow serviley to the
dctum of other minds, though they may be vastly
perior Each mind, in order fully to devclope its
DO wers must learn to think and to reason, and ar
rive nj correct and legitimate conclusions for itself
Every effort to do this however short and simple at
first may be the process, will to strengthen
fold and expand the mental powers"
with many a vas, amount Of intellectual life is
drowned in luxurious excesscss. Among the wealthy,
| the appettes are pnmpcred among the poor,a gross
feeding often prevails that induces great stupidity and
obtuscness OF intellect. Now we would not say to any
one" lfthou man given toappetite, put knife
to thy throat but we would say" Be not DESTROYS OF
daines"
Fears have sometimes b,.n expressed that by dit
fising knowledge too generally among the laboring
classes, we should beget in them n spirit of dleness
and INSTRUMENTATION. But facts prove the reverse OF
this to be almost universally true. The more the mind
is cultivated elevated and refined the greater are the
improvements in personal appearance cqulpage,
houses gardens, fixtures, furniture, and all the useful
arts of life.
"Thc labcrcr is not n mere laborer. Were he, his
lot would be harder far than that OF the inferior AM
mails, for whom nature spreads bounttul table and
weaves rich wardrobe, though " they toll not nor
SPIN neither gather into barns
| A rational, moral, and intellectual being cannot,
without infinite wrong, be converted into mere work.
ing animal mind, in which germinate immortal
plants is of value infinitely superior to all material
things and cannot, without gross abuse, be made a
slave, to minister 10 mere animal wants
Perhaps there is no one trait Of Character more es-
scnial every sort OF success, than mental inness
and decision of purpose. To all who possess and pro-
perry direct it, it is their Good Star To mos, who
have risen TO fame it has been the grand secret OF
success.
| Nearly halt our race are ever vascillatng between
different courses, presented to them for choice The
consequence is, they can never act with prompt
ness and energy They halt bciwiXt two or more
opinions. To execute even well conceived plans
is entirely out OF the question They lack that indie
pendencc of drought and prompness in the execution
of purposes. which is essential Poor plans
well executed, in their results, better than good
ones abandoned.
At the present day many persons are forming plans
for self improvement. Not n few mechanics are III
possession OF good theories for their mental and
moral culture. BIT tor want of decision tlXcdncss o
purpose, and resoute perseverance they do compare
lively nothing that is 10 any purpose Those who are
prompt in deciding their plans of operation, and
energetic il the execution oi therplans, though they
may be guilty of some mistakes, unusually do more
well and succeed much better. than the hesita,ing
timed, and too cautions.
An eoquen, writer says that decision Of character
was the destiny anI long sword OF Napoleon :; the
key by which most Of those men, whom history ha.
dcnomin,ed great. and embs pod an her Posco ope
ned the temple ct fame" 1t y nccdiul in every walk
OF life, and it is surprising how much it accomplishes
when accompanied with energy OF execution An
inexperienced mind can have no Just conceptions o
what may be achieved in any walk by the stead,
direction Of an untrng industry towards adesire,
end.