Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-07-16

instruction furnished. After the most elab
crate illustration, | have sometimes had the
modification to find the mind ofmy pupil a!
vacant and ignorant as before, all for the
want of attention, of personal exertion, {
labor of his own.
Who are the men whom we are accus.
toned to honor for the place they hold, the
elevation they have attained whether in
political life or the learned professions, in
science, literature, or the arts They
are men of great industry, without exception,
they are laborious men-men who have
studied, who have investigated, who have
practised self denial, who have burnt the
midnight lamp, and kept their vigils at the
pages of learning, at the fountains ofknowl-
edge.
The first qualification for an eloquent
man, as laid down by the masters, is pro-
found learning. The first and greatest
means of improving in eloquence is study.
Do you aim at serving your country in her
councils, in the pulpit, at the barr you must
study. Do you aim at the eminence of our
own native orators, our pride because they
are ours, and second to none Of other coun-
tries, to none of other ages? You must
study. Do you, as l devoutly hope some
ofyou may, aspire to the benevolent work
of bearing the messages of God, and plead
ing with men to be reconciled to him
You must study.
But aside from those considerations, which
lie beyond the period Of youth, and are con-
nected with public life-do you seek the
distinctions of the present time the appro-
baton, and in that appreciation, the happi-
ness, Of your parents; would you meet their
smiles, and cheer their declining age in the
hopes they now have & shall realize in their
sons You must study. Would you arrive
at the heartfelt pleasure, which arises alone
from self-respect, and self-approbation. You
must study. There is no one present but
condemns himself and feels the pain of that
self condemnation, if he has spent this ac-
ademic year in idleness, or without the prop
er avails of industry in study; while the re-
Elections of another may be the source of his
highest satisfaction, who has been laborlous-
ly and successfully devoted to the acquisi-
ton of knowledge, and who now feels his
own elevation in his intellectual growth and
superiority.
Next to idleness, and naturally consequent
upon it, is the danger of contracting habits
of immortality. Moral habits and principles
are not only so intimately interviewer with
the constitution of man that they are the on
ly foundation of true happiness, but they
also hold strong and pervading influence
tho chorocfor opd &C.
intellect. Hence, ,as means of improving in
eloquence, culture of the moral sentiments
is recommended. That, which degrades a
man in his own estimation, will serve to
weaken the energies ofhis mind and dampen
the ardor of his virtuous enterprise. Let a
man feel his high destination as subject
of the moral government of God, and act
under sense of his high responsibilities,
he will be elevated, strengthened & excited
to bold efforts & bold enterprise. He will be
fearless, and act under strong motives drawn
! from high and inspiringsources. But when
ever he forgets his moral relation he falls
from his true elevation, and becomes mere
animal. When he recognises his moral re-
lations to disregard them, he sinks below
the mere animal, he becomes fend.
Cultivate, then, with the greatest care
fulness, with the most assiduous devotion,
the moral sensibilities of the soul. Cherish
the love of virtue, the love of God. Abhor,
and never be guilty of mean action. A
single obhquity from strict rectitude will
lose to you, your own self respect. twill
forfeit the respect of others. 1t will shake
the virtuous principles you may have estab-
lished and cherished and although it may
be connected with trifing event. still it is
mean action, and the judgment you pass
upon it will fall upon yourself. Even in
their intercourse with one another, young
men should seek to maintain a high stand
ard of moral principle, and not admit the
thought that one rule of morality may apply
TO men and another to youth Every princi-
pie you adopt and practise upon will be
likely to go with you through life to stamp
your character for time, and perhaps for
eternity.
While you retain your self respect, you
will command the respect of others. But
be certain, you will be unable to respect
yourselves when you cease to deserve it.
The greatest wrong is to brave our own con-
victions. The acknowledgement of an er-
ror, if it be done ingenuously is always hon.
orable, always serves to elevate character
and inspire confidence. Whenever you
have done wrong, therefore (and who is
above its) set yourself right. That is right.
There can be no higher censure than that
which conscience passes on our own errors
none more difficult to be sustained. There
is no relief but in answering its demands.
In all the collisions of life, and they will
come, be disposed to seek, and always ready
to give, explanations. They cost nothing,
and are often efectual to reconcile difficult
ties. The scripture direction is one of pru-
dence and true wisdom,-"if it be possible,
as much as lieth in you, Live peaceably with
all men," Remember that true courage lies
not in multiplying sources of irritation, but
in meeting with coolness, and sustaining
with undaunted perseverance, every danger
which lies in the way of duty. True cour-
age is not that which vaunteth itself. Right
ly tempered, it will lead a man to avoid
danger while it can be avoided, and to dis
regard it when it comes.
The performance of duty as duty is the great
moral principle, which forms good citizen
of the government of God. Sam Johnson,
the Noah Webster of English Lexicography,
and giant in the products of English Lite
rature, said that whatever he accomplished
had been "forced by the bayonet of neces-
sity pointed at his back" But the Anglo
Saxon character is composed of different
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