The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-29
Demssrssy q Science. -Hs. 3.
By JOSIAH HoLBRoox.

The abundant element and powerful agent
already referred 10 il called oxygen. Combined
with nitrogen it forms air; with hydrogen.
water; with hydrogen, carbon. and nitrogen,
animal matter; with the metals it forms ores,
rock. and soils.
Oxygen. hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen. and the
metals arc the "Alphab of Nature" This
alphabet 10 so simple that little child might
learn it hundred times while he could learn
the alphabet books once 1t ID so delightful as
to be sougth for and used by every young
mind as the richest of all amusements. 1t is SO
boundless in extent, so infinite in its combina-
lions, 80 iliimitable in its uses, so transcendant
and elorious in its beauty and majesty, as to
put at defiance aud render hopeless any attempt
at full comprehension oft by the most power.
full intellect in any created being The expan
sion and vastness OF created things so entirely
outstrip their exploration and development as
10 present an ample aud rich field of labor and
of progress for all hands, intellects, and souls,
constantly engaged to their utmost capacity, for
a century to come, and then leave UNTOUCHED
the greater part of the wonders Of the wonder.
full world. The projections and the glory Of the
Creator, and the elevation, dignity and happi
ness Of his Moral Creation will then only be
seen by some slight giimpses of what they may
be.
The same Great Creator and architect Of this
vast universe, who formed the heavens and the
earth Of few simple elements, also placed in the
human soul an eager and Unsuitable desire to
know and TO use these elements in accordance
with the designs Of the Author, both of mani
mate things and Of the living and deathless soul.
TO check these desires ia at once to do violence
TO the very nature of cur being, and to Illustrate
the great and molly purposes of Him who made
all thinUs "yERY coon"
The true democracy of science is to render o
knowledge of the elements and uses of created
things as vide spread as the things themselves
Mt least co extensive with human existence.
Permitting and aiding young spirits to act in
obedience to those eager desires, those reaching
and lofty aspirations so deeply implanted by
bountiful Creator. would render familiar and
extensive their acquaintance with the different
departments Of the vast storehouse of riches
given to them to keep and to use.
Who can doubt that if the elements of
created things, with their endless combinations,
their illimitabe uses, and their SURPRISING beau
ty. richness, and glory, were made the subjects
and objects of early instruction., language to
express them, both spoken and written, would
come of course. 1t could hardly be avoided
If it were not provided otherwise, it would be
created as it should be needed. Language al
ways is created occasions calls for it, both by
children of larger and of smaller growth.
Hence this endless prating of unmeaning phrases
from books t0 learn 10 read" is not only useless,
but does violence to the very nature Of the hu.
man soul, and often defeats and perverts the glo.
rious purposes Of God--changes His very best
works into the very worst.