The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-07-19
THE TRUE LlFE,
AND OUR DUTIES TO THE YOUNG IN PREpARSt
THEM FOR IT.

GoD mas filled this world With beauty and
grandeur on every side are scattered, in rich
profusion, the tokens of his love. The whole
face of Nature is radiant with loveliness, and
beams with an ever-fresh, ever-new aDfy.
Yet, amid oil the works OF the Creator, what
is so wonderful, as the gloriously endowed, /,
heayen.inspired creature, Man! A true man
or true woman--what lofty conceptions Of
all that is noble, true and good, do these
words bring before the mind Who is not
moved by the mention of those who stand
bravely out amid the "storms Of circumstance
and wrecks of time," as the master.spiriis,
the heroes of the worlds Not its blood
stained warriors with the conqueror's fading
crown, not it's ignoble great, whose splendid
wickedness was their only renown but the
true men and women who have bravely met
the duties and temptations oflife, and calmly
gone forth TO meet the Angel Of Death.
In humble homes and kingly courts, ia
lowly vaies and on mountain tops, they have
found out their true worth and filed up the
measure of their usefulness. In exile and
in slavery, in sickness and in health, in
lhronged cities and desert wastes, they have
toiled and suffered for the victor's crown.
No heart fails 10 see the exceeding beauty
of good mans lifs-is blessed presence is
felt as an angelic visitaut, bearing itch gifts
from the gate of Paradise. Who can paint
the picture Of such an one, go beautiful as
the ideal within ourselves! The intellect,
with all it's mighty energies developed and
matured by long and careful culture, lis strong
powers of thought directed TO wise and noble
ends--the heart, with its warm affections pu-
riied and guided into channels of blessing
full Of sympathy for the sorrowiny, and re-
joicing for the Joyous; grateful for every gift
ot Gods love and patience under every trial
Tho body, erect and free, with godlike ma.
jesty Of mien, strong 10 endure and quick 10
perform-these, all joined, in perfect harmo.
ny, sanc,ified by the presence Of that religion
which adorns and per!ecls the whole, may
convey some idea of what we conceive TO
be the true man or true woman. To reach
this lofty stature, we believe 10 be the design
Of our living here 10 grow up into euch q
manhood or womanhood, 10 be the aim of
our whole thought and endeavor. To help
others 10 attain this is also our work as teach
ers, as those who guide others in their on
ward way. What, liIen, is our duty TO The
young immortals committed 10 our care
Recognizing this high ideal for ourselves,
this constant growth in goodness, we certain.
ly must desire others TO grow with us. AS
these children have moi only mind, but
body and heart, are we doing our whole du-
iy to cultivate the hrs. and neglect the 9th.
ersf
We are not all animal, nor are We all in
telecual neither are we designed 10 be an
gels upon earth, but true men and women !;
as such only can we hope 10 use all the
powers that God has given us for our happi.
ness and the welfare of others.
Do we think enough of these things in our
daily duties! Are we not apt TO take
school-room view of the work given Us TO
do; hurying and forcing the maturing Of The
mental powers, while the normal lie dor
mant for sught we know!.
A delicate and iimid girl enters the school,
with heart full of love, shrinking, ike the
mimosa, from the rude gaze of strangers; all
the finer and gentIer emotions are developed
in that young child, every pure affection is
throbblng in that young heart, yet she is
awkward from iimidiiy, and reluctant 10 say
the thing she knows is right. She is obedi.
ent and truthful, quiet and studious, but still
we find her falling behind aud we pronounce
her dull and stupid. Are we as apt TO speak
a word OF encouragement 10 her in her diff
culiies, or commentator in her small pro-
gress, as we are 10 praise the brilliant and
snowy scholar, in whose eyes burn the fire
of genius, whose young mind is sparkling
with thought and power? There may be
uEiruthiulness and perverseness IN the latter,
bu, do we not bear with them more patient.
ly than with the others dulness. Every time
we do such things, we are placing the less
before The greater, aud virtually saying, II is
Of little use 10 be good, truthful, and gentle,
unless one is apt 10 learn.
Another, q astrong-minded but sickly boy 10
one Of our number. Learning is delight TO
him; he loves his book as others love their
plays; he cares nothing Tor amusements, he
never joins in the school-games and sports of
children he is not active as they, aud can.
not compete with them. He sits by himself,
happy 10 be alone with book II is the
dearest of companions 10 him. His imagi-
nation, his perceptive faculties, all have rap
ID growth, too rapid for his body this is
puny, while his desire and capacity for
knowledge constantly increase. How ought
We TO treat such onef Urge him on in his
studies, put more books before him and in.
dulge him in his love Of solitude? This
might indeed make precocious boy with
the intellectual power Of man, but il could
60 little farther. Soon bis fancies would be-
come morbid, bis overtasked energies begin
TO flag, and he would fail Of achieving any
great work, or perhaps sink into an early
uraua Mi lat all aueh v,raoocioue chill.