Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-07-15
ORIGINAL APGRS.

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Correspondence Of the Spirit the age
Mr.. BDIToR Seeing so many young men
In our country who are daily throwing away
their time in idleness, and forgetting that
youth is the seed time of life,H have conclu-
ded to write few lines upon this subject,
with the hope you may insert it in your pa
per, and that it may remind youthful readers
Of your paper, that time and tide wait for no
man. If he is not at his post in time, it is
his own fault that he lOoses an opportunity /
Of gaining what will never again be placed |
in his way. But though time waits for none,
yet it does not 90 whirling and bounding out
Of reach of those who have a mind to keep
pace with it, Many keep up, but more lag
behind. Little is accomplished, while much
mi ght be.
II the immortal Bacon had spent at its
studies the time he spent in the groyeHing
pursuit Of royal followers, how great might
have been the benefit he would have conferred
upon mankind, is beyond conception. What
stores of useful knowledge would have been
added to the stock which we already possess.
Look mt the accumulated wisdom ofages, and
see how small a heap was thrown in by life
of that one was devoted to the acquisition of
it. Then you can form more correct opin-
ion Of how time has been spent. The mental
as we'll rs the physical powers we're given
10 man to be developed and improved but
how few seem to think so They rather
seemed to think that life is as a tedious tale
told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, sig'
nifying nothing. Hence they conclude the
quicker passed the better. Eat drink and
be merry, becomes their motto. The pleas
ures to be derived from reveling in the fields
Of intellectual luxury areforgotten the graft
fcatioR of the grosser passions passions that
are held in common with the brutes, become
their chief desire, and are considered the only
pleasures Of this vain and fleeting world
How low, and unworthy the image of his
Makerl Desires should rather be studied to
overcome such low and degrading passions.
The desire of knowledge and the loss OF no
time. would soon be victorious over them
Sensuality and licentious ness and q multi
tude of sins would one after another, in quick
succession, fall before them-the mind would
90 forth unobstructed, conquering, and to
conquer matter.
Hard study is essentially necessary
Habits of attention and application must be
acquired, TO stand the irksomeness of dry
pr6fession. Until these are acquired, the
accomplishment of any thing great or good
will he impossible. One may sit down, with
out these, with the intention Of going through
and knowing something of book-but h'
will soon find himself mistaken. The frs
thing he knows he will find his thoughts
scattered here and there, and everywhere
now at home, the next moment away into tn
future, unconsciously building air castles.-
The reins in this manner are given more an
more 10 his fancy, until he may be said t
live iu dream land, without benehtting him
self or any one else. Thus by some is tim
- tlo oaa1 VlapfaH W bia
shall spring MP in due season, and brin
forth fruits Of It kind bad habits to some
rags and poverty to others, according to tn
situation in which they may be placed
Therefore beware fit.
For solid attainments strive hard, perst
we're, and your efforts will be crowned wit
success. Newton is to have ascribed h
greatness as tho result Of his unconquorab
Industry and the losing Of no time, rathC
than to natural genius. You may depen
upon it that where there is no time lost in tn
pursuit of knowledge, or any other object,
will be obtained, as sure as effect follow
cause. There is no need Of being discouraged
Examples are presented to cheer and rails
the dropping spirits of every one who is di
posed to be respondent. The lamps al
lighted; the way is open to the attainmeI
Of knowledge Her fountains are overflow
ing. Let him that will, come and drin
without money, and without price. The
when nge ereeps upon him. he will not ha'
to lament and grieye over lost time, and e
claim, If had my course to 60 over agai
how different it should be spent.
But repentance does not wait for old ag
The studeut.even when he had just quit c
lego and has entered upon the broad theaI
Of active life, look upon the past with shal
and sorrow, il it has been idly spent. Th
even too late, he remembers that the he
that is once lost is lost forever; the MONT
that is past never returns. He is overwhel
ed with anguish, when he contemplates
prodgal he has been Of time, the most p
cious Of oil Jewels. The golden opportu
ties that he has let Slip the bad habits t
he has formed, unfit him for business.
prospect Of the future is equally dark
gloomy, promising the evil rewards of
loss Of time lie is discouraged with ey
vocation, and settles down in idleness
plunges into dissipation, in order that
stings Of scorching conscience may BE dro
ed The drama ofhis life, is then spec
and sadly closed.
Thus have been traced the consequence
losing time. The beginning of those s
that lead one after another in regular Of
TO certain destruction. To what a diffe
result does the opposite course lead =
man that has been diligent at his busi
and who has filled out every moment OF Il
with some useful and beneficial act, sees
stantly brighter prospects open before
lie does not regret the past. lie looks d
the vale of time with exultation and 10
His conscience is clear. His mind ls
quill, serene and calm as the Ocean when
breath Of air is stirring-and nothin
wanting to complete his happiness, but
plaudit Of well done, good and faithful
want" S. d.
An Irishman being charged with 81