The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-04-20

anu uIRucT WIN SLFOnt wing. hnu eye
steadily fixed on the sun. He has a work
worthy of his daring, aspiring nature, and
he rises TO purer atmosphere and more
comprehensive vision than tho raven, whose
Tendencies being downward, sees nothing
but the vilcst of carth's refuse. On us tho
whole buman race is looking with fixed,
breathloss attention, as we arc soaring up,
up toward the sun Of perfect civilization
and intellectual culture, and shall We wa
vcr or sink back? God forbid.
Let it not be said that, although far
advanced, wc were unable to prevent
retrogfadc movement, nay even urge it on
by our selfishness and sluggisl, turpitudc.
These sentiments, then, finding in every
true heart an affirmative response, the
question rises how shall wc bring about
this glorious manifestation in all its vigor
and beauty answer: lat, by the cultiva-
tion of our own minds; and secondly, by
educating the masses to proper apprecia-
tion Of all that is noble and humanizing.
For thu accomplishments or these Two
things every man, aye and every woman,
should think deeply and earnestly, and
drink full coIious draugbts from that Py-
rean spring which never produces intoxica-
ton or safety. but by the use Of which
we can gain glimpses Of infinite splendor,
and visions, half real but enveloped in the
dreamy mist Of corporeal grossness, of per-
feet beauty and sublime granduer with
which We may sometimes stand face to
face when the hand that closes our mortal
eyes until the resurrection also frees the
soul from its bars Of human weakness aiit..
walls of clay. With our present means of
enlightment, no excuse exists except tho
lack Of will and energy for the non-cduca-
ton Of every free person. On every hand
our schools and colleges are pouring forth
a constant stream Of teachers, devoted and
enthusiastic in their high and holy calling
And amid the rushing hustle and whirl Of
business, pause a moment and listen. Do
you hear that clanking and rattling, creak-
ing and groaning Of machinery as the lev
er which moves the world swings on its
fulcrum, and, 10! broadcast through the
world are flung the results of its mighty
efforts in the palace of the rich, the cot
tage of the poor, here there, and every
whore, in tho highways and by,wsys of
life. 1t is impossible to form an adequate
conception of the immense amount Of print
ed matter daily, aye hourly thrown into
circulation. But VIC must remember aids
to education are only aids, and like "helps
TO read," can | ut assert what exists; for
education is a result Of the mind within
drawn out by its own cxertions, for dc
Al tl,at 70 aIu cd he, has
learned to marshal and concentrate his
thoughts on any given subject for any Civ
en- time, and then, at will, relax the bent
bow. A mans education onco accomplish
cd it becomes solemn and imperative du-
ty,. bringing it down to tho purpose of
every udy INV, ~ LAVE II, dir' '."'j go
ting himself within himself, to hide his
light from his less fortunate ncighbor, but
on the contrary his best efforts should be
directed to the elevation of the whole tone
of the community where he lives. This,
and this only, is the sure road to pcrfcc-
ton.
Finally, therefore, we conclude the Man
ifcst Destiny of America, and Of ourselves,
who form an integral part is to exhibit in
a full and glorious light, bright as the
morning star, the noble qualities Of mans
nature, and the perfection, symmetry and
harmony TO which he may attain by proper
training and cultivation. And to the young
of both sexes, and in special manner to
yon, Alpha Kappa Phi, inasmuch as you,
by organization, have enrolled yourselves
in tho "shadowy squadrons deep, mum
bercd 10y thousands, let tho thunder Of
Your tread cause ignorance and vice to
trcmblc in their strongholds, as, with ir.
resistable force you press on to ;hc accom-
plishmcnt of your heavcn-born desires.
In conclusion, beg leave to present to
your minds few Of the incentives which
may cheer you in moments of dcspondcn.
cy, or raise your spirits fainting from the
| fierceness of the contest, or add new zest
to your enjoyment in moments when the
laurel wreath shall encirclo your conquer
ing brows. AS year after year cycles into
the abyss Of eternity, from far and near,
there comes dull, murmuring echo telling
us that some illustrious person, who has
won honor and 'rcnown by his excrtions in
the work upon which you have entered,
has stepped from the stage of action for
ever. And who is to stand in the pace of
those and fill their station 9--who but the
youth Of the present. Do YOU realize this {?
If you are true to yourselves, to your God,
ard to humanity, little beyond lies a
certain and sufficient reward. Alexander,
a greater man than whom the world never
saw, found barrier to the march Of his
conquering phalanx when the world lay
at his feet. But no eye hath seen the
bounds of Wisdom, for they are cocval
and coextcnsive with eternity and in6nity
words whose meaning will not be com.
pretended until death is swallowed up in
victory, and this mortality hath put on i'm.
mortality. And now, Adelphoi Kai Phi.
loi, having united yourselves Oh as COM
pleto a basis as tho "powcrs that be" will
permit, aud believing no organization for
mutual improvement can be perfect where
the holy power Of woman's influence is not
felt, soitcning the ferco energies of the
rudcr sex, and vivifying all its nol,lest and
purcs. impulses, let mo earnestly implorc
you, be united in true social peace and har
mony, and, marshaling yourselves under
the banner of our fraternity, drink deeply
Of the inspiration reused by the loved mot
TO "Mens Omnia Regit," 10 you sure