Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-08-27
@ ii 9 II al
THOUGHT.
BY MARK CUMMINGS.


we find, in all its various phases, this i'm
portant truth: that man was designed for
something higher and nobler. than to "eat,
drink, and Sleep" that these do not con
stitute the high purposes of existence. as
some persons by their course il life would
teach. But there is Aigder principle OF
his existence, which demands something
different from mere physical indulgence;
something immortal in its nature, consc-
quently not satisfied with mere earthly
goods or earthly enjoyments. That high
er principle is the immortal mind. which is
always grasping after something beyond
reaching forward to grapple with the mys-
teries Of the unknown, thirsting after new
inventions. striving to gain more extend
ed knowledge of the Past, the Present and
Future; and ever ready to acknowledge the
immutable princi pies of truth
In all ages of the world, the mind of
man has ever been restless under restraint.
co SANITY looking forward to the future
with ardent desire, hoping that in its bo-
som lies some hidden truth. which, by pa
tient, laborious study, will be disclosed and
brought to bear an important part in the
great drama of human life. The chief
means by which the mind acts, is that Of
thought. Hence in education, the princi-
pal object should be, to awaken in the mind
an active, determined, systematic habit #
thought, so that it may be enabled to act
readily without embarrassment, in any
emergency that may occur in life 1t is
this which gives us presence of mind un-
der all circumstances, and which enables
us TO compare one truth with another and
discriminate between scientific truths and
falsehoods.
1t is the only means by which we may
expect to advance in our intellectual knowl-
edge, or to attain TO anything as scholar
or man. We all know that to read with
out thinking upon the subject matter of
which we reading, is Of but little or no
practical adval.age;we rnay read the words
If an author iluentiy, without thinking Of
their meaning, and We will soon find lhat
the words were winged, and have flown
away, whereas, ii We read an author with
The understanding, and enter into the spirit
of what he is treating, or in other words
We fasten down the words by the weight
of meaning. which can only be done by
deep, earnest thought, then we may derive
from such perusal, some Improvement,
for We shall awaken in our own minds /
thoughts upon other kindred subjects, /
which may in their turn interest and in
struct others; and thus the circle of i'm.
provement Is continually expanding and
extending It's influence until it shall at last
break upon the f,rthest shores of lime. and
the last feeble pulse of expiring humanity
shall feel lis deep thrilling emotion The
expression OF single thought has often an
power for good or evil, for it
usually awakens an answering response
in the mind of others, which may be hand.
od down from generation to generation
through all coming time.
Thought is one of the most distinctive
attributes of the human mind, and it is lis
Judicious development that elevates man.
III the works of creation, and gives him
character and station among his fellow
men. Beautiful thought spoken or written
always elici!s the admiration of intsllectu-
al md civilized man; il is his true power
and IN its proper use he rises above the
degradation of mere BRITISH life to an ex-
is'ence of heavenly origin. 1t causes his
soul to swell with emotions Of wonder and
admiration as he contempiates the beauties
OF nature, and on the golden wings of in
sp'ra''on' his thoughts soar away to Crap
pie with the sublime mysteries of the un-
known. On every hand he is surrounded
CpJS"to "titlI, WHcn viewed arlVht.
have tendency to awaken thoughts of
deep, thrilling interest. There are won
ders going on around, and within us every
day, which, were it not for their being of
SO common occurrence, seen almost daily |
from earliest youth to EXTREMIST age, could
not fail to excite the strongest emotions of
Yet their being SO common renders them
not the less interesting or wonderful, but
when viewed from proper stand point,
these very facts greatly enhance their beau
ty and add to their power. Is it any the
less Curious how the tiny blades of grass
grow and cover the earth with such beauti.
full carpet of green verdure, because they
have continued so to do from year to year
Tor the last SIX thousand years? Certainly
not! But each year adds new interest to
this wonderful phenomenon of nature.
The mighty foroota II