The freeman. (Fremont [Ohio]) 1849-1850, 1850-01-19
NUMBER 45.

pretty executed his purpose, than in this touching
little parable in the Book of Ecclesiastes:
"There was little city, and few men within it ;
and there came great king against it, and beseig
ed it, and built great bulwarks against it, Now,
there was found in it poor, wise man, and he,
by his wisdom delivered the CITY,"
Nothing could more graphically illustrate intel
lectual power All the patriotism and prowess, the
energies and resource were put in requsition TO
resist the invader; but all was unavailng. Ruin
was marching on-Patriotism wept, and maternal
fondness agonized. But while the warrior was
owning his impotence, and Philanthropy dropping
her last tearOf dispair, this obscure Oise one step
ped forward in the majesty of his strength, and
devised measures for disconcerting the schemes of
the invader
Parallels are frequent And while we cheerful
ly accord to valor its rightfu need to wealth its
influence, and to sacrifice its praise it will still be
the wonted province of wisdom to deliver.
I have sometimes contemplated the man Of in
tellect in the majesty and independence of his re-
source, as / would the lion in the mere animal
world, securely slumberng, while all his interiors
prowl, and fear and watch.
Nor is the minds cultivation merely source of
independence and power but prolific of enjoy
naent
OOU mas ulaQ6 L0lS WOTlQ we occupy one cnHIe
cabnent of curiosities and where scrutenize,
gems glitter to attract, and wonders unfold to lead
US on The closer we inspect and the deeper we
dig, the more amazing the development and the
more attractive the reward. Nature is but one
cumbrous volume for the minds perusal The
husbandman who analizes his SOIL and the house
wife understandngly engaged in the culinary art,
are but occupying another modification of laborato-
ry; and making pleasure of the employment
which would else be nought but druagery. Thus
verifying the sentiment of the bard; each
Finds tongues in trees books In running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and goodin every thing"
Members of the association: trust you will not
accuse me of an inappropriate effort to accommo-
date the occasion and the theme to my creed and
profession, if l further declare conviction that
nothing can finish and give crowning potency to
intellectual decision and independence, reli-
ance upon Divine aid and consciousness of the
Divine appreciation. To be strong in sense Of
our own attainment is indeed to have staff to lean
upon; to be strong in the Lord is, to rest upon an
Omnipotent arm.
/ have before said enough to authorize the con-
cession that there may in some instances be much
intellectual energy where God is neither feared
nor man regarded; while constitutional ineff-
cheney may cleave to the best endowment and most
unexceptonable probty But both are departures
natural world; it is not strange if they are found
in the universe of mind
Think shall hazard little in asserting that the
most brilliant examples Of decision, independence
and acton have been furnished from the ranks Of
Christianity. Iknow that the pride of herosm and
the glory of arms have carried some through car
mage and blood Still it is true, though Christian.
ity be yet but in its infancy that the phaanx Of
mind has marshaled and marched in the cause
of moral freedom and beneyolence, 1t is natural
it should be So The incentive is not measured
the goal is not in this world If love of kindred
and of country may awaken zeal, and renown i'm
pei to action, well may conviction of the design OF
our being and the elevation of our destiny, stir
ardor which wakes ever, and an energy which wanes
not till the hand is reached forth for crown oi
glory.
Fellow Associates, in sketching thus rapidly the
advantage and practcability of enterprise, if
have dropped ought which may serve to encourage
you, my entire purpose is secured Let me ex.
hort you in conclusion, to perssre1e in the object
you have espoused Let no minor attractions break
in upon your attendance upon our meetings. Friv'
oties will always be swarming in your path The
ride-the dance-the gathering in social glee =
and, pefohahce, that elevating ennobiing enchant
ing past-tme of counting in tablecircle, the live
long evening, counting, what t?-'spades' hearts,
'duce,' 'knave,'l But even this, leave to more ex
ated minds; for such only can have calibre enough
to take in its charms and to profit by an exercise
so sup perlatively intellectual
Be ours the humber purpose to impart the
shadings of thought; to receive the shadings from
other minds; and by the aggregate of knowledge
to increase the stock of each. And though lowly
now our stock, let aspiration never waver, never
sink. Like eagles flight. though never rapid lei
ours be onward and upward, till like him, We may
gaze on food of light