Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-09-09

Niebuhr on Education.

"The more disordered the state of the
world, the more needful is education; in an
age growing old and decrepit, a simple world
which the mind may grow up strong and un-
clouded. A clear understanding can least be
dispensed with, when the confusion of ideas
and halftruths is greatest; it is exactly at
such time, that principles, which have been
early implanted, and carefully watched over,
SO as to give all the strength of prejudice,
confer extraordinary power over the world
without and that within"
This passage hits our time exactly. New
or in the history of the world, was there so
much confusion of ideas in social, political
and religious philosophy as at the present;
and never was so clearly defined the indis-
pensable necessity of the best system of uni
versal education,-an education to qualify
the whole peoplefor thinking independently
and truthfully on all important subjects
We are now in the transition period from
selfshness to justice, from wealth to wisdom,
from money to manhood, from hatred to love.
The moral elements are in confusion and the
well being of future generations depends up
Oil the kind of order that shall finely be es-
tablished. History shows that the few can
not be trusted, and that the hope of the
world is with the whole people. All, there
fore, mast be thoroughly educated Schools
good enough for the rich and cheap enough
for the poor must everywhere be established.
Peoples Paper.
BEAUTIFUL AND TRUE.-Who doubts that
birds love? Here is evidence from the No
tonm InteNigeacer:, ... ta1.
"a gentleman observed in a thicket of
bushes near his dwelling a collection of brown
thrushes, who for several days attracted his
attention by their loud cries and strange
movements. At last curiosity was so much
excited he determined to ascertain the cause
of the excitement among them On exam
lining the bushes he found female thrush,
whose wing was caught in such a way that
she could not escape. Near by was her nest,
containing several half-grown BIRDS On re-
tlrng little distance, company of thrushes
appeared with worms and other insects in
their mouths, which they gave first to the
mother then to her young, she in the mean
while cheering them in their labor of love
with song of gratitude. After watching
the interesting scene until curiosity was sat
istied the gentleman relieved the poor bird, |
when she flew to her nest with a grateful
song to her deliverer, and her charitable
neighbors dispersed to their usual abodes,
singing as they went song of praise"
BE GENTLE AT HoME.-There are few
families, we imagine anywhere, in which love
is not abused as furnishing the license for i'm
politeness. A husband, father or brother,
will speak harsh words to those he loves best,
simply because the security of love and fam
lily pride keeps him from getting his head
broken. 1t is shame that man will speak
more impoitely, at times, to his wife or sis
ter than any other female, except low and
vicious one. 1t is thus the honest affections
OF mans nature prove to be weaker pro-
lection to woman in the family circle than
the restraints of society, and that woman
usually is Indebted for the kindness and DO
liteness of life to those not belonging to her
own household. Things ought not so to be.
The man who, because it will not be resent
ed infiicts his spleen and bad temper upon
those OF his hearth-stone, is small coward,
and mean man. Kind words are circuat-
ing mediums between true gentlemen and
ladies at home and no polish exhibited in
society can atone for the harsh language and
treatment too often indulged in
those bound together by Gods own ties of
blood, and still more sacred bonds of conugal
oye.-Lte Illustrated
RETURNING ANswERs.-Hear the story of
he child which went forth into the noun
5ain ravine. While the child wandered there,
ne called aloud to break the loneliness, and
heard voice which called to him in the
same tone. He called again, and, as he
hought the voice again Knocked him.
Flushed with anger he rushed to find the
'oy who had insuted him but could find |
zone. He then called to him in anger, and
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