Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1849-06-23

/ ance is il rstional to presume they would have
attained TO that exalted position winch thelr
names now occupy The answer is emphati-
! caIly NO II was the interchangeable exercise of
! these characteristics that exalted and still ex-
ats men to the brilliant and much courted PIN
nace of glory. II was only BY the most indom-
liable energy and perseverance that the ilustrl-
Gus Martin Luther aud MelanchtOn achieved
their stupendous religious reiormation--a refor-
| nation which successfully regenerated nations
that had for centuries been stepped in the mire
Of base ignorance and dark superstition. Chris
topher Columbus, too---that great man who,
notw outstanding he was poor and pennlcss in
pocket--alth0ugh he met with obstacles and
opposition from the learned Of his day, aud with
rejection upon rejection from the reigning sove-
| reigns of Europe-yet, pursued his project,
digested plans, and concoCted eXpedents, until
he realized his great, his al-absorbing, aud all
important deslderatum. He, too, is an ilustri-
Gus example of the almost omnipotent power Of
these principles. Then again, there is our own
immortal Franklin-he who chained down the
very lightnings from heaven-the patriot the
statesman, the philosopher. Where can be
found, ia all the past history of the world, a
more striking example than the one here pre-
sented' Benjamin Franklin first emerged from
! the gloomy shades Of adyersty-bereft of the
smiles of fortune, denied the advantages of a
| liberal education, and early thrown upon his
own resources-yet that man achieved pro-
! jects, demonstrated phenomenas, and eontribut-
/ ed TO scientific knowledge to such an extent as
called forth the admiration and amazement of
| the profoundest philosophers Of that any
/ subsequent age. Next the finger of RETROSPECT
| ton points 20 Robert Fulton, the celebrated in
/ yentor Of steamboats,. He too was obliged to
| combat with powerful adversaries-his project
( was hOoted al, and himself denounced as mad
man. But did Robert Fulton bow his head to
! public opinion; History responds a negative.
Firmly, arduously, and perseveringly he pur-
/ sued his purposc-undismayed by derision, and
/ unappalled by denunciaton-and what was the
result: He consummated one of the greatest
discoveries ever made known and now that
man, who at one time was pronounced an
/ IDIOT, IS looked upon as an extraordinary genius
and profound reasoner. But it is altogether
/ needless to multiply instances to establish the
| great utility of energy and perseverance in the
| prosecution Of important operations. Exam
pies illustrative of this fact are within the ken
OF every one. Thousands Of individuals are
| now living, whose own experience produces
| abundant evidence OF the practical efficiency Of
! these two great characteristics. Cast your eyes
around you, for instance, IN this mighty repub-
llcan nation of ours, and who do you find occu-
! pylng the most conspicuous positions OF public
trust? Where the most eloquent orators,
/ profound philosophers, eminent statesmen, or
! distinguished writer's Who are the brilliant
luminaries at the bar, in the pulpit, of the press
IN short, in every practical vocation of life
! Are they not those who were obliged to iabri-
| cate their own fortunes and who attained to
| distinction by their own exertions +; | ask, is il
/ not an ostensiye fact, that the great mass of
! prominent men, in all ages OF the world, were
/ those who, being born upon the rugged couch
! OF adversely, were compelled to exercise the
most interchangeable energy and perseverance in
| order TO surmount the many obstacles that i'm
/ peded their progress up the ladder of eminence
/ But, having thus far found that the combined
! exercise OF energy and perseverance is emf
nently necessary TO the prosecution of all i'm
| portant undertakings, we'll as that il al
most invariably proves substantially potent, the
| mind lntuItlyely draws the inference, that such
principles should be cultivated in degree com
/ mensurate with their importance and utility
! With perseverance and energy, man can and
must meet with success in the pursuits of this
! life; whilst without them, his failure is almost
! equally certain. And it is an equally obvious
/ fact, that no matter in what condition or situ-
alton OF life an individual be placed whether
! he occupy high an humble position whe-
/ ther engaged in the execution Of stupendous
! projects and hazardous enterprises, or in the
! SIMPLE discharge of the duties involved in the
/ common routine of everyday life, he will find
these principles absolutely Indispensable to his
/ prosperity and success. The clergyman who
/ labors to eXterminate the morbid atmosphere of
SIN and wickedness that still overhangs the
aoodes OF mankind-the patriot, who has the
interests OF his country at heart, and who de-
slres TO see such measures adopted and executed
as are most consonant with the prosperity of the
peoPle-the philosopher who urges the intro
duction Of new theories whether theological
philosophical, or metaphysical, 10 the eradca-
non OF iong-Cherlshed ideas-the philanthro-
plst, whose exertions are devoted 10 the aug
mentauon OF the social and political prosperity
ol the human tamil y-the youth, who aspires to
intellectual attalnnents, public distinction, or
| imperishable tame-all require the influence Of
| these great principles, before they can behold
the consummaton of their hopes ambition
But whilst energy and perseverance can be
exercised and are absolutely requisite 10 the
promotion Of any enterprise their influence can
/ nowhere be directed in a more commendable
chahnel, than that of promoting the ameliora-
uon oil mans temporal condition. And never
theiess the civilized world has arrived at an
exceedingly exalted position, when compared
WIN the past yet there is sill an extensive
neld open for the labors of the philanthropist
In republican government, like ours where
no arlstocracles are suffered TO exist and where
every individual Is permitted to exercise his
peculiar capacities without restriction il more
especially becomes the duty of each. to have
regard Tor and pay attention to the wants and
CONDITION oi his fellows, as well as to conduce
as much as lies in his power to the general
| prosperity and welfare of the commfnitv NJ
large Now, whilst ereYg one can in a greater
/ OF less degree promote social prosperity in the
community IN which he lives, there are certain
| classes OF persons who could very extensively
and materially subserve this end, by bringing
ihto reqaisition the principles Of energy and
| perseverance. But amongst the various oppor-
'unltles offered for benevolent exertions, there
are none manifested more conspicuously than
lhose presented to the Sons of Temperance
oon oi Temperance has broader and more
prolific arena, for the beneficial exercise of
lnese principles than, perhaps, any other nd-
tins, we have but to point to the incalculable
amount this institution has already contributed
10 the augmentation of social happiness and in
alVidual prosperity Where, | would ask. is A
community to be found now, that has not felt
the ameliorating influence dispensed by this dis
tIngulshed Order. IL has enerxafnA IL, ri -.