The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1856-08-06
IMBIA COUNTY, Pa, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6. 1856

butes, which are necessary for the acquisi.
tion, and preservation Of all knowledge that
comes within the sphere Of human abilities;
that, at birth, all intelligences stand upon the
same platform intellectually (excspt it may
be that the germinal mental powers differ in
degree Of impressibiIi.y) that all the powers
are latent, germinal, but possessed with the
ability Of animation and boundlsss growth.
AT the outset all possess the elements of ev-
cry ability. The infant mind is a perfec,
blank, destitute of the most trivial fact, idea
or thought, being who requires for his
gteatest good knowledge of. many things,
yet destitute of all, but so constituted, that,
az it's wants increase, the mind expands and
ultimately becomes the receptacle OF what
ever is essential TO be ob,ained, retained OF
expressed, gives room and ability for more.
The more the mind acquires and produces,
the more it can--the greater are its powets.
believe there ate those who believe that
nature is partial 10 the bestowment OF her in
telleciual favors that all men of eminence
are favored recipients Of her gifts-nainra
pat atricians--2reat men by divine favor But
such belief is ruinous-w wickedly false. II
makes nature mere creature of fancy, ca.
pricious as tho mind, and partial as likes and
dislikes can produce. More than this, il
makes vast portion of the human family
believe, that they were born with The mark
Of ignorance in the foreheads, put there by
the branding iron OF nsiure; and that ia.
vored few are the immediate subjects of
Heavens most beniguani smiles-the elected
treasures Of wisdom. How many outh
alas has had every energetic action
crushed 10 death by this pernicious belief,
while he has led life Of ignorance, unrequi-
lsd ioil and regret. This ves,ise of despo,.
ism has slain its thousands il has been a
destructive mildew, wilhering simeon that
has subdued the nobler efforts, hopes and
aspirations Of vast numbers who might oih-
erw;se have arisen TO eminence and great
ness. No longer should such fatal error
be incnlcated in the cradles of liberty our
schools. A nation Of freemen requires and
deserves all the favors of truth, and none of
these Of error. Neither man nor nature can
lmplant in The mind Of single person, the
least amount of knowledge. ALI they can
do is to present it. The reception and posses.
sion must be performed by the one informed
Every being is as much compelled TO inform
himself, If he is informed, as he 10 to eat if
he is nourished. .... ...... q. ...
All knowledge comes by Individual appli.
cation, and the facility OF scquisition depends
entirely upon the use of the various faculties.
Is this not so How has it been with you
who have been spending the last three
months in the walls of the Seminary close
by2 Did your knowledge of Arithmetic
of Grammar-of Geography come TO you
while you were asleep or idle 2 Did any of
the knowledge You have obtained while So
journing here come 10 you without being
sought, and that diligently? Nay krowl-
edge is passive, always ready to be acquired,
but neusr acting for il. Not a though, ever
possessed by the lofiest mind, which VI as
not obtained by application! Make this
great truth your own in act, any of you, and
your names can no sooner die than you can
destroy that feeling of the student which
chenshes The memory OF reai men. These
are The keys to The fountains of truth.
II is all important that this nature be thor.
oughly aud equally developed, for The vel.
fare Of the o;her natures depend upon what
they receive from .his. II becomes the guide
and director OF itself and The others. Hence
the need for us 10 know its individual pow
ers and the means for their action. What
ever directly aids in the oblainmen:, reten-
ton and imparing Of knowledge belongs TO
the intellect. We are able To see that we
possess the abilities 10 perceive material
things and beings, and their properties and
qualities the effects of immateral forces !;
also abilities to treasure up what we perceive
aud then call it up for use whenever we
wish an ability TO arrange effects and facts
pertaining to given subject in such man.
ner as 10 enable The mind to behold the
cause Of those effects; and finally, an ability
to acquire and even construct vehicle for
knowledge between man aud man-and then
use il. These powers spring from certain
acknowledged altributes. They are percep.
ton, memory, contrast, comparison, analogy,
Judgment, imagination, invention, consIruc.
nou, reason, will, speech and language
These capabilities belong and have been
vouchsafed 10 ever immortal being We
learn that God is the auihor nature the irea.
sury, and man the recipient; that all nature
and ils Arti6cer are co.workers for mans
welfare, for mans development and for mans
happiness; that every one has the noble en-
dowed power Of greatness and goodness !;
that their means of action are fully scattered
around all. thai all that ia reouired of rno,