Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-12-20

CULTIVATION OF MIND.-The following
is the substance of an address delivered by
Mrs. Hannah Wasson of Little Britainton,
before her pupils, on the last day of the ses-
sion. We publish by request of friend
of the fair author, and who informs us it is
first attempt Our young females will
find many thoughts by which they may
profit.
The human mind has ever been consi.ler-
ed one of the noblest and greatest 1t is
+ ike all else created-capable of cultivation
and just in the degree that the mind is cul-
tivated and rendered pure and perfect, are we
fitted for rational happiness and pure enjoy
nleAk Education is the grand Lamp 30
knowledge. It reflects that brilliant light
which reveals to US the beautiful things of
this woEd-yet, opens our minds for the re-
ception of that light that lifts our minds to
the Higher World, where all is peace and
happiness and Joy for evermore! The i'm
mortal mind was formed to feast in the in
exhaustible fields of knowledge which lie
open to all around US nothing is wanting TO
invite us to its delicious feast but the will
for the will forever will make for itself a
way; nothing is wanting but taste to pre-
fer the ennobling and satisfactory cultivation
of the intellect to the ennuity of Idleness
knowledge after all constitutes the only diff
ference between man and man it is the
first and most essential element of power
it is the germ of all prosperity it is the
means of all our enjoyment, success anc
happiness, throughout life-Education is the
flower of the intellectual mind, Just as vir
tue is the flower of the pious heart.
When God created Adam and Eve h,
placed them in a garden where it was a
easy for them to do right as wrong 1t wa,
like walking on level ground as easy to wall
one way as another But this world is lik
the side of mountain. Since Adam ant
Eve partook Of the forbidden fruit, it is u
hill towards the place Of endless Joys
Therefore it behooveS US to take the upwar
path. When we get in the habit of slidin,
on the downward track it is hard to STOP
The path becomes slipperly by the wear c
habit. It is hard to succeed ali at once
but we must have hope and courage, an
you will surmount the difficulties that best
the paths Of life.
Dear pupils must now take my leave
you and you of me for the present Whe
you are engaged at home, in the school {
every day life, and if you encounter prol
lens Of difficulty, turn to your hearts an
call upon that Higher Teacher, our Faith
in Heaven, for the patience of knowledg
Go on, then, with a laudable ambition al
an unyielding perseverance in the path tn
, leads to honor and renown. Press forward
go on and gather laurels on the side of t
hills Of Education and Virtue; linger amor
their unfading beauties; drink deep Of the
t crystal fountains, then join in the march
fame ; become learned and virtuous and y
: will be great; love God and serve him a
; you will be happy. Do not be afraid
0 think for yourselves; you know not the hi
: destiny that awaits you: you know not t
:, height to which you may soar in the scale
IS intellectual existence. Go on then, bold
d with unyielding perseverance, and if you
IT not gain admittance into the temple of fan
Y strive at all hazards, to drink of the fol
tain which Our0loc Fro,,, 20 Lo,o