Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-08-31
hINERAL POINT TRIBUNE,


MEssRs. EDTroRs.-As the columns of Your
paper appear to be open Ia the discussion Of
whatever may interest or promote the welfare of
Its readers, we presume it is not adverse to the
advocacy Of the sentiments contained in this ar
ticle and with your permission. therefore, we
propose briefly to call the attention of its read
ers to themselves
Self-kuowledge is the most imnortant Of all
knowledge, yet of all it is the least sought after
We look around us and scan the operations of
universal nature. The geologlst de scends into
the bowels OF - earth and from her fossilifer-
Gus depo its deciphers the hieroglyphics of past
time, revealing TO Us in language which he alone
fully understands, not only the great landmarks
OF her past histo r, evinced in the successive
upheavings OF Acr strata, but brings 10 light. in
the imprint of tIe tIniest insect or leaf an IN
controvertible record of her simplest works "a
record " hich has survived " the wreck Of ages
= and from the geologic volume predicts her fu-
ture career. The astronomer beholds in the im-
mensities of space worlds upon worlds of wond-
rous splendor hurled through their orbits with
Inconceryablc speed, yet guided and sustained
by the same Power that measures out to insect
life its momentary existence The botanist ex-
pores the fields of every cline in search of flo
raj beauties, and the naturalist acquants him.
self with the character and habits of every
thing that moveth." Yet, how little do we know
OF oarselues, of the " house we live in," of MAN
the central excellence Of Gods terreSriaI cork
Men can tell Us of the most curious inventions of
creative genius, and explain to US all their vari-
Gus combinations and the uses they attain but
pf MAJ /, E ~
know nothing. True, they are conscious of the
possession of heart, lungs brain, etc, yet not
one-tenth of the human family can explain 10
US the offices they perform in the animal econo-
my. What should We think of a Railroad Ccr-
poration employing an engineer to run passen-
ger train for them who was entirely ignorant of
his business and knew little or nothing about an
engine ct this is not more absurd than what
We everywhere behold for each one Of Us Is run
ming an engine, in the person of our own bodies
as much more complicated than a steam engine
than that is more complicated than a chiId's
wagon, and yet we wrap ourselves in the dra-
perry Of luxury, carelessness and fatality. and lie
down TO pleasant dreams.
1t IS a fearful thought that so little attention
Is now paid to the observance of the pbysiolog-
ical laws. Only here and there do we find one
who is acquainted with himself, and how few
OF these, even live up to the knowledge they
possess. While every otLer occupation and
project engages their attention - and their
vhoie time, talents and energy are eaarossed
upon the minor considerations of life the accu-
mutation OF wealth, honor and influence they
madly neglect the very object these consldera-
tons are subservient to, reaping the harvest of
physical sin, Instead Of happiness and peace -
& en- those who profess to be the teachers Of the
people are, for the greater part silent upon this
subject We have. it is true, our textbooks up
or physiological and chronological science but
all the writings and labors Of their authors are
but as drop the ocean. The ministry, while
It processes to war against SIN in all its FORMS
rarely descends from It's metaphysical subteties
to grapple with the evils Of everyday life
the press, the professcd guardian of advancing
civilization, is not yet fully awakened to the
great Importance Of these principles -w while the
physician, whose peculiar province 1t is to un-
derstand the secret springs of lite, and who, to
great extent, holds in his hands the lives of
the people, is dumb upon this all-important sub
ject. They are dead dogs upon the watch towers
OF public safety, so far as physical improvement
Ia concerned. They have yet to learn, or, at all
events, to act in accordance with the principle
that health is the legitimate, unavoidable effect
OF obedience to the laws of our being. and dis
ease, just a. surely, the penalty of transgress-
Ion. These things not governed by chance
= neither are they eUer the result Of a mvste-
rIous dispensation Of Providence" but occur in
strict accordance with the laws Of cause and ef-
feet As well might we suppose the san TO rise
one day according to specific law. and the next
by chance, as to presume that sickness, or death,
IS occasioned sometimes by ply astrological trans
gression and sometimes by special Divine u-
reference. Out upon such superstition Let
no longer be tolerated in the light Of the nine
teenth century. To understand and obey the
laws of our being is to become perfectly healthy.
The preacher may pray day and night, may do
all in his power to cultivate and adorn the
minds of his flock with every virtue and grace,
but unless he directs his attention first TO The
purifcation of the body as fit tenement of the
so'a, his efforts viii prove fruitless He mast
no longer iynore the influence Of matter upon
mind - the reciprocal relation there established
by the Almighty IS and ever viii be, dstiuc
i've feature of Manhood So long as men con-
tinue to make whiskey-shoPs and tobacco-miils
Of themselves so long as they persist in riot
Gus eating sId drinking - they viii continue
to be aaimalized and depraved and all the
prayers Of all the preachers upon Gods footstool
viii avail nothing, unless directed to mans
physical, as well as moral, restoration.
Mineral Point, Aug 80. II. 0. II
r-A lot Of rowdv bows were engaged in
charIvariDg an old man OF 90 who had married
young woman Of %, ia Pittsburg recently. when
be discharged a revolver III tine crowd, wound
ing eight Of the boys, some OF them badly.
- Baron Gothschild, the Jewish NJ r. for
the City Of London, has taken his seat in the
House of Commons. He was first elected by
bis fellow citizens nearly eleven wears ago.