The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1855-12-20

huence, how widespread It's benevoience.
But we dare not trespass longer--we have
only indicated few of the many points up
on which instant and cordial cooperation is
needed and we have only presumed to
mention the vast good which. would result
from associated labor--it is a consummation
devouty 10 be wished, and we believe it is
surely though slowly coming-every man
can hasten ii--we have some inhuence-let
US exert il in favor of this noble erd.
EDUCATION.
An Essay read to The Teachers association at
MiliuiRe, December sth, 1855, ri
BY MISS ELvILA WRIGHT.
Learning is one of the most valuable treas
ures we can possess. II is treasure that
will never fade nor grow old; but the longer
we possess ]: the more beauties ii will dis
play and The more interesting IT will appear
TO our view. five have wealth II mag soon
vanish into nothing: if we have friends they
may soon become estranged; and all that we
can possess of worldly goods are fleeting as
the wind, but If we have cultivated mind
il can never be taken from u.s.. Look for in.
stance at the man of wealth He has passed
his youthful days in devising plans 10 amass
wealth, and at last heh has attained the desired
end. He has great possession; he can look
out on his right hand and on his left, and far
as the eye can reach it is all his own. He
says within himself what need have 10 la
Dor or 10 exert my mind 10 find out any new
idea? have all that heart can wish-all
these vast possessions are mine. have
houses aud lands, II have friends who are
ready 10 cheer every gloomy hour OF my
life by their kind caresses. | have thus far
been favored by fortune, and all seems to bid
fair for my prosperity. And thus he folds his
arms In ideness, and go he passes perhaps
a few years in ease and aflluence.
Butaake another look, and see how vari-
Gus are the changes of life. The wheel of
fortune that has so far been SO mysteriously
turning in his favor may suddenly take an
other turn, and with 1t may sweep away bis
possessions and leave him penniless. Where
are then all bis former friends? Soon he
finds their friendship begins to diminish, and
one by one they drop off from his society,
until too late he learns that friendship is NOT
10 be bought with gold. What then would
he not give if he were wise and learned--if
be had but spent his youthful days in storing
his mind with Knowledge. But tits TOO late TO
Learn. Old age is upon him, and he must
pass the remainder Of his life in solitude and
unnoticed.
But let us take another look and see the
opposite side of the picture. How different
il is with the man who is striving 10 gain
knowledge! How differently is he employ.
ed. You may see him at an hour when all
around him are sunk in slumber, pondering
over some difficult problem which for days
perhaps he has feared he could never solve.
And thus he exerts all his faculties until al
last some new idea strikes his brain--by de.
grees the difficulty seems to diminish, and
he fuds the task accomplished. He has the
qualification of triumph which he feels will
benefit mankind. Thus he goes on and on,
still step by step, until he attains TO a high
degree !; and the more he learns the more
ambitious he is TO learn. He is NOT. like the
rich man, content with what he has attained,
but his busy mind is continually in search OF
more knowledge. He can see a beauty in
every tree or plant--n every blade of grass.
He can look up to the starry heavens, and
thefe count the stars and call them By their