The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-06-24
BY JOSIAH HoLBROOK.

The elements of science are purely Democrat
ic. They are in all places at all times, and
Obedent to their own laws, never swerving an
iota. Each renders aid 10 all the rcst-togeth-
err making perfect and glorious whole.
Cne of these elements constitutes about half
of our globe-the animal vegetable and min
eral Kingdoms This most abundant element
is also the most powerful agent in the workings
of science. 1t is in oil and for all created
things, or nearly so. 1t heaves our lungs;
lights and fans our fires decks our forests and
all creation with their beautiful hues: shivers
mountains into rocks, and crumbles rocks into
soils converts soils into the majesty of forest
the yerdure of plain, and the richness of
garden; changes the products of forests, plains
and gardens into beasts of the field, birds of
the air, fishes of the sea, buzzing insects. and
all creeping things with the whole of animate
nature, embracing the lords of this lower crea-
ton. having dominion over the whole
This same element and agent in our vast
creation aSsmilates things the most diversified
and opposite, and again separates into atoms
things assmilated by the most intimate and
perfect union. Ii is constantly performing
services the most dissmilar and opposite in
character, and yet always in perfect harmony
completely carrying out the great designs Of
the Creator of all. In most of the wonder
workings of this wonderful world, this one
agent is always present, and always active, but
can only act with and for all kindred agents
however diversified their Offices OF dissimilar
their work 1t Yields strict obedience to its
own laws, and yet is dependent upon the same
obedience from all the rest in their respective
agencies, for accomplishing the grand work
of this created universe. II such is the abund-
ance of one element, and such the power of
one agent, and both one and the same, who
can doubt but the knowledge Of it should be rs
widespread as its existence OF its power
How strange then, how mysterious, that
those protesting to mould pliable young beings
| by the elements of science, so wisely designed
for them by the Author both of the beings and
the science should have them in charge
month after month and year after year, and
not once exhibit to them the most abundant
element or even name one office of this most
powerful agent The mystery is more mys-
terious when it is known, rs every one must
know by the avidty with which every young
spirit drinks in such knowledge, that the
highest possible delight is added to the richest
and most enduring instruction, by a supply TO
their bodies minds, and souls, of food 30 evident
ly and 40 abundantly provided for them.
Dut tnailks DC 10 sclehcc anu W humanity
that mighty change is coming over our coun-
try and the world in the kind of knowledge
taught and the modes of teaching 1t. lnsyuc-
ton is in rapid transition from words to
things, from signs of ideas to ideas themselves
from shadow to substance; from saying to do
ing from speculation to production f; from con-
soldation to diffusion; from few to the whole
NoTE.-The name of the element and agen
presented above is deferred to Il future occasion
that teachers may have the privilege of frs
presenting it to their pupils, and parents Il
their children