Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-02-24
lr the Grand River Times.


f.cuture,-hopiDg that they may prove bene-
eal to some who may read them, and need en-
couragement upon this important subject /
am one of those who believe that each person
is created for some specific purpose-some no.
BILE object, and that he can not answer that OBJ
ject, without possessing considerable intelli-
gence-without improving those faculties that
were given to him, for the purpose of accom-
plishing that object. This is evident from the
considerations that his Creator is the Deity, that
he is endowed with the susceptibility of end
less improvement in knowledge, goodness and
happiness, and that the soul that is without
knowledge is not good. 1t being established,
then, as basis, that knowledge is essential to
the we'll being of each person, and as nations
are composed of individuals, of notions also,
the great question to be solved, is, how shall
he obtain it Surely not by idleness and neg
lecting the means of improvement AS well
might you expect to reap the rich fruits OF the
fields, without planting, pruning, or cultivating
them, as that you can enjoy the rich rewards OF
an educated, and a well balanced mind, without
study and mental application. From the fact
that few persons can, or do attend school, after
they reach their majority, and the additional one
that it is impossible to do any thing more, before
that time, than merely to lay the foundation
upon which to rear a superstructure in future,
it must follow that the great mass of men must
go through life, with the powers of their minds
not half fedged their capabilities crippled, their
sphere of usefulness circumscribed and their
happiness greatly diminished, or, they must ed
ucate themseves-practice self.culture. This
view of the subject will convince you Of the
great Importance and nobeness of this work of
selfculture, as it can not for moment be con-
tended that person of limited information, can
be as useful as one whose mind is we'll stored
with useful knowledge Now firmly resolre
with yourself that you will Immediately enter
upon, and vigorously prosecute this laudable
work, and you will have taken one of the most
important steps towards effecting it. Danish
at once and forever, from your minds the falla-
cious and absurd idea, that because you are ac-
lively engaged in the business of life, or bur-
dened with the cares Of family, you have no
time for, and cannot improve your intellect, the
immortal part Of man, that will exist parallel
with the existence of God himself But for
the particulars of this business. Always have
some subject of science or useful knowledge
on hand, and devote portion of each day, to
the investigation Of that subject-make it an IN
ferible rule to learn something useful every day.
To effect this, devote your evenings to the ac-
QUESTION of knowledge, and then rise early in
the morning, and spend portion of time in the
same way,-and at all other times, when you
have moment to its perusal, and it will not be
long, before you will cheerfully and willingly
resign the momentary and unsatisfying enjoy.
ment of idle talk whether with many or few,
to the more rational and beneficial employment
in which you have engaged, and find rich re-
ward in a consciousness of mental Improvement
Many persons have, in this way, without the aid
of schools, become distinguished for their ex-
tensive knowledge, raised themselves to honor
and gained the confidence and esteem of their
countrymen. Take the example of ROGER
SHERMAN, of Conn.,, who was shoemaker, and
the son of poor man of the same occupation
and whose early education had been almost
wholly neglected; but by placing book upon
small stand Immediately before him, so that
he could devote every moment, without loss
that he could spare from his awl and hammer
to his work, he studied natural science and law
with large family to support by his daily la.
Dor, and at the age of hirty-three was admitted
to the Bar, and afterwards rose to the highest
honors in his profession in his native State, and
was one of those immortal Patriots of l776
who put forth to the world the Declaration Of
independence Such were the results of self
culture in Mr.. SHERMAN's case, and equally
great and beneficial have they been in many
other cases. Reader, will you like him, devote
your leisure moments to the noble work of cul
tivating your mind, and thus become blessing
to society and an honor to your race, as it j:
your privilege and duty to do? The result o.
your decision upon this subject, will not be mo-
mentary merely, but will be felt in after ages
when all things of worldly nature shall have
passed away.
Grand Haven, Feb. 9, 1862. II.
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