Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-09-23
PUBLISHED COUNTY

Ours Is not the desire TO trace them beyond
earth. we tremble however when we think Of
the sentence pronounced against him who hid
his Lords talent. But to the questioD-Wbat
ought to do?
When we view the physical structure OF
man, examine with the eye of science its com.
pllcated machinery, observe the adaptation of
each part to its office, the delicate tenderness
OF the Vitals, see how slight an injury would
destroy the whole, and realize that upon its
soundnesS depends so much of our happiness
and usefulness we could almost believe that
the care of the body is our proper business.
The health of this however does not demand
the performance of any prescribed course of
action merely for its attainment, it simply re-
qures that we be governed by certain natural
laws in acting. Tnese teach how to perform
an act, but not what the act should be We
find not here then the answer to our oupstion
Let us pass By the outer man, wonderful as il
is, exhibiting above oil the other material
creation the greatness and goodness of God,
and with the eye Of science, aided by revela.
ton search out the inner man-the divinity of
the outer. Examine this mysterious structure.
ascertain that principle which makes it man,
which elevateS it to such superiority above the
mere animal, here we find direct and appro-
pirate answer. The development of this prin.
cipe affords boundlesS field of labor and that
which we ought to do As the body is of in.
fnltely less capacity both Tor cultivation and
enjoyment SO the concern we have for il Should
be proportionately less The Great Creator
has bestowed upon man the distinguishing
charac, erStic mind that he shonld cultivate it.
and by It's expansion approach nearer and
nearer the projections Of its origin-that he
should show by its greater development the
omniScience of its source.
a For God himself for wisdom most is praised,
And man thereby 10 God Is nearest raised"
The Improvement of the mind-the immor-
tai man-shoud be the paramount object, and
all else be made <ubServent.
That our chief duty is to become morally
developed, to honor and glorify God our Crea-
tor. none will deny. A 5 morality and religion
are infinite in their results, so their claims are
superior 10 all others, aud should he the great
aim in education. But mine is not the prov.
ince 10 give sermon. We each know our
duty on this point and acknowledge II, if not
in words and actions, at least in unbiased
thoughts. Besides moral obligations are not
discharged so much by the performance of any
routine of actions, by engaging in any class Of
works, as by the spirit that pervadeS those
actions and the motives that prompt those
works. One may perform every outward act
and have every visible sign of the most sincere
christian, and vet have a heart as black as
perdiiion itself This leads to the conclusion
that moral education would result from the
motives had in pursuing the Intellectual This
. r, ! l.
pared to the sculptor, who BY skill and indus
try from the ShapeleSS mass brings forth the
Symetrical and beautiful statue so the student;
who takes the chiSeI OF application guided by
the hand of prudence, and driven by an un-
conquerahlc will, will soon from the rude un-
cultivated mass of mind develope before an ad-
mirinC world qualities and beauties before IN
known. And though the material of each
NAV not admit of the same degree of polish.
vet the same credit will be reflected 10 the
skill and industry of the workman But as
the finished statue is only the rude mass shorn
of its natural covering, 50 the cultivated intel
lect shows the original mind when by the skill
ful hand Of edHca ton it is brought from be-
meath its natural covering of darkness. We
NAV notice at this point some of the reasons
why education demands our greatest care, how
IL i best obtained. aud some of the benefits
that result from IT,
Why is it that upon every subject brought
before the public there is such diversity of
action Why DO some approve while Others
condemn Why do not the mass universally
move in the same direction upon questions that
call for their action, Why is it that every
scheme which has good for its avowed object
1. -ssk ! - rt,,y,-
contempt, and its founders obliged 10 contend
with storms of opposition? ln reply We would
ask. NAV not these differences exist and yet
. both supporters and OppoSerS be following the
( honest convictions of their own minds, ami en,
( deavoring 10 follow that course which will
produce the greatest good? Men differ in
opinion. and their actions necessarily have q
corresponding variation. In proof of this
uumberleSS instances might be mentioned, Such
as colonization societies. temperance laws, the
( common school system. the pursuit Of the diff
ferent branches Of education, and the thou
sand and one moral and political questions
that are nov being sgiiated Each Of these
has its able and honest advocates and opDoSers
They follow the convictions OF their own judg
ments. and could all see in the same light uni
~ of action would characterize their move
ments. the strength Of union would bear down
all opposition. genuine reforms would search
out every wrong, error and superstition would
be swept away before the march OF truth, aud
the enormous evils that now stalk abroad Al
noon-day and proSl about in the dark hour
OF night. would soon be banished from the
world by the triumph Of the gospel sit not
then an object of Importance that there bt
unity OF action! But TO secure this there
mast be unity Of opinion, and anii! Of opinion
can arise only from thorough unbiased kRowi
edge of the subiec, upon which il Is exercised
As men wandering in the dark pursue TIM
or that course not knowing whittier Il leads
so are they who form Judgments without I'm
derStanjing Light and 8 SnoEledge OF ih'
n,nntrr nr.. nnreSSaYT 10 the sQcceSS of tht