Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1852-03-16
For the Grand River Times.

contains few OF my reHectlohS upon the SUI
iect of self-culture Jas it is one fraught with
interest, and prolific in useful meditation, to all
who may give it their attention, propose con-
tinuing the subject this week. The important
fact, that every man is the artlfcer of his own
fortunes, should be distinctly understood, and
indelby fixed upon the mind of every person,
that he may act in reference to it, in shaping his
course through life. If he wishes to be learn
ed, wise, useful and happy, he has only to per-
severingly pursue that course, which legitimate
" leads to those results, and his objects are
accomplished. If he improves his time in gain
ing knowledge and seeking after the truth, and
practices virtue, with a reference to answering
the object of his creation, those results will MS
certainly follow, as light will succeed the rising
of the sun. On the other hand; should per-
son wholly neglect his intellect, and suffer its
noble powers to remain dormant, and concealed
by the rubbish of ignorance, like block Of
marble in the quarry, and spend his time in ig
noble pursuits-his enjoyments will be base,
sensual and unsatisfying, his sphere of useful
ness of the most limited kind, and he will rank
with the ignorant, superstitious and vicious, who
are considered nuisance, rather than benefit
to society, as the inevitable consequence of his
unwise course. How did Demosthenes, the
great Athenian orator, whose fame for elo-
quence is worldwide, attain his distinction
BY reference to his life, it will be seen that he
had some great obstacles to overcome, and that
his early efforts were unpromising; but by as
siduously pursuing rigid course of selfcul-
ture for some years, he became the prince of
orators. Every one conversant with his histo-
ry, is familiar with the fact, that his great pow
ers of eloquence were far more the fruits of
cultivation than the gift of nature. If then,
Demosthenes, who lived over three centuries
before the commencement of the christian era,
when the world was in its infancy, and the minds
of men were clouded by ignorance of the laws
of nature, and upersttion,-and when science
had not then become to the literary world, what
the sun is 10 the literal, could effect so much by
selfculture, what may we expect from one liv-
ing in the United States, in the nineteenth GEN.
fury, the age Of unparalleled improvements in
science and the mechanic arts, where the means
of information are abundant, and accessible to
all without distinction, should he, like him, i'm
prove his opportunities for mental Improvement,
to the best advantage? Surely that he should |
exceed that renowned orator, in many of the ell
ements which constitute true greatness. Who
are our most distinguished Statesmen, able
Judges, eloquent Advocates, profound Theolo-
gians and skilful Physicians? who are are our
great Patriots, Reformers and Philanthropists,
who labor to elevate their fellows to that posi-
ton in society, which their benefcent Creator
designed them to occupy, and who are bless
ing and honor to their country! | answer that
a majority of them are selfmade men,-men
who have raised themselves from the depths of
poverty and obscurity, to those honorable and
useful positions, by self-cuture. They have,
with thirst for knowledge and laudible de-
sire to be useful, procured the necessary books
70 tit themselves for the particular sphere in
which they intended to move, and consumed the
midnight oil, and the odd scraps of time, which
others waste in idleness or gaiety, in porting
over them in search of knowledge. Thus slow
y, but steadily and surely, they have assembled
he hill of sciences and reached the temple of
lonor This is very forcibly illustrated in the
ase of Elihu Burritt, who was born of poor
'arents, in Conn.,, and bred TO the occupation
# blacksmith. When an apprentice, in his
atve town, he commenced the cultivation of {
lis mind by study, under the following system:
light hours of each day, he devoted to labor ;
pon his anvil, the same length of time to his
looks, and the remaining portion was spent in
leeping, eating and recreation. He closely !
ursued this course for several years, and with I
ut attending schools, explored the depths of /,
Mathematical and philosophical science, and
aimed knowledge of an incredible number !
different languages, and the reputation of .
eng one of the most learned men living For c
'veral years past, he has been actively and eff
emily engaged in advocating the benign and t
tristan principles of Universal Peace and
rotherhood, and other great reforms, in the !
nited States and Europe, and has commanded !, =
70 respect, admiration and confidence of the k
armed, the wise and great of both hemispheres, >
ID is justly considered one of the greatest II