The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-11-25
DEMOCRACY OF sCIENCE-NO. 10.
BY JOSIAH HOLBROOK


"THE OLDER VOLUME OF GoD,D used as the
fundamental and principal book Of early in
struction, would have Il fOur-fold action in pre-
venting lawlessness, and in producing true
elevation of character First: in interesting
young minds. Every mind yet created has
manifested an interest in every other created
thing-a glorious exhibition Of the wisdom and
goodness of the Creator. A pebble drop of
water, fake of snow, a running brook, leaf,
a flower, an insect, bird fish, quadrupods,
all domestic animals, the heavenly bodies, the
human hand, the whole human structure the
structure or forms of all created things in their
variety, beauty and perfect fitness to their
designs, and above all, the connection of every
thing, the most minute, with every other thing
however dssmilar or distant, in this vast uni
verse interest all young minds so deeply as to
thoughts and actions, if properly explained
They may be easily used as instruments of
enthusiasm with any young mind, equal to a
of engines, or any other imaginable thing
Giving employment to young minds and
hands is powerful mode of action by the
"Book of Creation" to prevent lawlessness and
secure elevation of character In the use of
that book, every pupil can prepare his own les
sons of instruction, and can take lessons effect
ually only by preparing them. Lectures on
science, or reading scientific books never made
a man of science in the highest sense of the
term. Thousands upon thousands of little
children, vending their way to school, could
give substantial lessons CONSTRUCTION on geology
tn thousands of graduates Of our colleges. for
the simple reason that the former have pre-
., ID tIntr al
lections-and the latter depended upon lessons
prepared by Others. Every pupil on the face
of the globe can learn cubic measure by set
doubt that this fundamental branch Of science
and of business will be more thoroughly learn
ed when taken by instruments thus prepared
The vast, and rich and useful subject Of
mechanism" in every branch, affords employ
ment and with it attractions sufficiently powerful
to draw any boy from the streets to his own
nestle Preside When thus employed, boys
previously accustomed to become almost fran
tic at the cry of fire and the rafting of engines
have continued quietly at their work while the
tread of firemen and the rafting of wheels
were striking their ears.
Refining and ennobling young minds by work
ing lessons taken from the older volume Of
tYDU. ~ uUDtHeT VI hthpu w pi'NCue INV
lessness and produce elevation of character.
Can any one doubt such results from such les
sons. or the superiority of such lessons for such
results, over five years course Of spelling
drills, in the sublime operation of learning how
letters are arranged in words by remembering
how they Jingle - not by learning words as
things of meaning The richness, the beauty,
the variety, the harmony, the utility, the
grandeur Of the works OF creation, when studied
and understood must give similar stamps upon
minds contemplating them.
A sense of responsibility to the glorious Au.
thor Of this glorious volume is fourth, and
probably the highest influence, through Lessons
taken from it. in preventing lawlessness aud
securing elevation Of character. The mind
young minds especially are inevitably led
from Nature up 10 Natures God, knowledge
of the laws Of God rendered familiar by an
extended, practical, almost enchanting, course