Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-05-23
1855.
Universal Mental Cultivation

nature of the delicate and momentous 80
tons which unite society, preserves H., -
beauty and uniformity, and deveIops a..
power and usefulness. This mind 5voII.
with the mass of mankind. We would Oh Z
that society may be elevated, have the y
of knowledge penetrate and expand -:
mind. We would have the genius Of La
ing conrted and wooed from her m0uDt,in
home. that literature and science might oa~
down and walk radiant with truth ana
illness through every grade of the COM
ty-that the bright light struck out frou"
mind of the mass, might reach the u,,ou.
boundaries of the land. An eleean, -.
has said, that mental cultivation Is mo- ~
expansion of any single power or suscer,t;r
ty. There should be no brilliant mn
unmellowed by the radiancy of moral fa.ra =
no strength Of passion or sentiment mia
enced by other of the minds ia ul,;ss
There must be a mental balance, which g..
the great secret Of all education. From =.
want of such balance, Ignorance, with II,
Offspring, Superstition, and Prejudice, h,
ever Weighed down the intellectual seal.
destroyed the noblest results of mental o.
fort. That system should be discarded wb;oL
2 develops only the powers of intellect. Var;o
5 ty, the high thought, the ~virtuous sentiment
S the beautiful and sublime emotion. tho
> chaste passion, all, in happy union, raise
communities to power and happiness.
e The opinion has too long prevailed. tina.
superior mental cultivation belongs excIu.
sively to the learned professions. 1t is n
u combat this fatal d~elusion, that we now call
" the attention of the mass to this destructive
d error. The Mechanic, possessing the same
> mental gifts, enjoying the same rights, hold.
10 ing the same momentous relations to society
II as the professional man, should likewise have
= his heart and intellect fully developed. 1t is
not sufficient that he be a mere mechanic
1t is not sufficient that he be a master work
!" man, though he be as skilful and precia in
u the use of his instrument, as was the Nor
u ish King of Saladin, in Scott's story 0 fe
81 Talisman. The principles of science Ire
ne closely interviewer in every piece of meGkn-
'er ism. He should master well these princfes,
the effect of their application, considerk EN-
NJ as the solid basis of the comforts and kave.
10y niences of life, and not the least amdbi The
~ means of human power and euioymenk lie
" should love his trade because of the seence
engrafted in it, because of its use. ulnes, be-
IVY cause Of its afording him an endurin, placs
;" in the proud temple ofFame. The Prodpc
I'LL tiOno &c No,,+oa ,aJ E.oulI:- &1St
>" and Ewbank, and other great ligks,oi I'M
present, should be the aliment ofbis hihu
: OF their thoughts which when soughs core ciea
and inspiring from the living bag =
be familiar to him as househoNSvOr
ana how they studied and thoh4bt %
learn to study and think&
should not beignoran4
ally tbr;II;no ~ o SEedy, or
have = eAoquehce. ~. as exhibit
esus a mind not controlled by aNS t.. -.
ma a mind, like Millions 49,
ress. weighed down with rich and \ -
for a mind elevated, useful and IA
they will thus exalt his trade, and an.
nent and brighter excellencies.
rness
mo- DuG Tie eieVatIoh OF prOieSSlonS ~ me
ether chanical trades, is not sufficient to L.,
with tho oororoI oLona y, -
pose but half the great mass Of mind. hel
is the Merchant, who should also be raid
. u a like eminence. His occupation shout n
be regarded as a mere disposer of silksln
= calicoes, broadcloths and domestics-fo viG,
In this avaricious light, he sinks into thti
significance Of a mere pedlar of wares.
viewed in connection with Commerce, as
Lcred
n as entering into every social relation, as DR.
ing on the resources of earth, air and va
as connected with foreign chimes, and unit
nations by golden links of sympathy and
terest, it is by far the most cumprehens
phen and important of MI life's yocations.
fence Merchant should possess a mind sure, d
70 of and searching. The duties and ohligati
- arising from the many relations which
= ~ calling creates, should likewise be fully knC
to him. He should be a historian, a scht
and a Christian.
kept ana shalI the nina OF the Farmer rem
e the nSuau,as &c tha ~eI : 'o,rs'
cans ty Is there no knowledge Of scienc
Istead Agriculture? Agriculture is closely a
often to Commerce, and has a bearing, create
,n;nn less, on every pursuit in life. 1t ma
'o' called an unfailing source Of national we
secure and prosperity, supplying the wants of r
france and imparting new life, and stirring, CT
that less activity to trade o fevery kind. Bes
its Observation-Disclosures by the vices
eh oe ~vanities 0 the world, so efeminating, 500
5 have sing to the mind-are the repositories o
integrity and patriotism of society. Inc
- +bo we may say that the Farmer is the guar
of government, rights and laws the slee
ans re- Waterman on the outpOsts Of defence.
moral would then have his mind cultivated
moral morally and intellectually, that be may
:, Who and observe the duties imposed upon hin
society and by God that he may app
rance his own advantage the rich treasures "
u NOT scientific knowledge affords.
encles' And what would be the effect of this
Tenn o;nla Tins annl;ad - tho varions 80
Py lot society? As we have before remarked, i
DuI III, ing has heretofore belonged to a few, c,
= ana tuting a single class of society. And t
i as ae having the power ia their own grasp, n
and WELD the destinies of society. To
.ans. the mass Of mind looks up, as to ora
deities. Now, this principle Of univ
mental cultivation, as above applied, des
> VI. this usurping tyrannizing system. 1t
- from the few the pow er Of holding and Z
emoeFs sing of the rights Of the many, giving
eX- many the same mental superioTity and X