Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1851-06-17


1t is said" it is hard to learn an old dog
new tricks" and this adage is repeated as an
excuse for mental laziness, by people VINO
prefer rest and ignorance to knowledge oo-
tanned by any exertion The adage may be
u very true one in respect to dogs and dog
like people; but there is an adage which ap-
plies much better to our human faculties
that is. :" II is never too late to learn"
Ii is true that certain kinds of knowledge
are best acquired in early life. We observe
things, learn language, and acquire certain
habits better at an early age than later; but
in respect to all that is most important In
human learning. it is never too late to ac~
quire information, so long as the mind retains
It's energies.
A man of forty has fair chance OF living
thirty wears longer: and ifhe sets himself
resolutey to work, every year may add 10
his store of knowledge Forty years OF age
is not too late TO learn anything. is It
tradei--three years will accomplish It.
profession1--fve years will conquer II, even
If man has never learned 10 read. Ihere
/ is nothing worth learning, at all that Is not
worth learning at any time. Our whoie
lie seems but an exercise of our powers and
faculties, 10 better fit us for some future
state of existence. Surely, it is never too
late to begin such an exercise.
It is not to be supposed that mems minds
or characters ever change with great rapo.
ity. We have what is called change OF
heart, but in this the same Characteristic re-
main. The change is one OF purpose or d.
rection: il is as if man, going north,
should turn suddenly and 60 south He Is
the same man, with the same energy
knowledge, and sincerity, but only different
Iy applied. So it must be in the change
! from this 10 the future state. The mind the
feelings, the character, must remain much
the same. If they are much changed, there
will be double identity. We may suppose
that the whole life of the mind, even to an
eternity of dura tion, will be progressive; but
il is easy to see that the best educated, dis
ciplined. and informed minds in this world
will star, in the next with all the advanta-
pes thew have gained. This is sufficient
| inducement for man to exert all his powers
in self-improvement even if he were certain
that he had but a single year to live.
! But even in worldly point oi view' and
| leaving a future state, as most of US DO. quite
out of the question, it is never TOO iate 10
learn. knowledge is power, and happiness
and dignity, and responsibility It's next
to the absolute necessaries OF lite, what We
most need, and what is of greater use to us.
acknowledge is better than houses and .ands;
so much better, so entirely superior, that the
very comparison contained in the adage Is
left TO be u growing one. as If the man VINO
| first made it had been in some doubt winch
was best. but afte, mature dclberatlon nao
| come to this conclusion.
! Houses and lands! These are the best OF
material possessions including really all 9th"
ers-and would not underrate their impor-
/ tance. They are what every man IN the
should steadily seek to attain. greday
respect the human instinct that makes men
labor to acquire these material goods, ,nis
earthly foundation, for strong ana heai'ny
life to stand upon. But houses, ana iahos'
and clothing, and adornments, ana iuxuries'
are not the man. Even the body IS not the
man. You may cut off both legs, ooth arms
the nose and ears-you may put OUT the
ewes pull the teeth, cut out the tongue
YOU may cut away half tho body, ana sun
the man is whole. The mind Is there' WIN
all its glorious powers. Nay. more, you may
crush this body to atoms, or erind II pow,
der. or burn it to ashes, and the minu sun
exists. with all its faculties ana all It's ac
oujrements. The man still lives, ana sun
lives man, and will live man, forever apo
ever. -. .L;s
Cultivate this man. then--respect @ ,hia
man. Provide for his earthly necessiIies,
his wants, and his aspirations. Surrou,lu v ~,
him with wealth. and beauty, out let all W
subordinate TO the cultivation OF those po"elS
which are to exist forever. not III sta'o ~ ~
stagnant beautitude, but IN conuI.,Tp
energy, action and eternal progress ''O'"
Times.