Smyrna times., 1858-05-13
ORIGINAL ARTICLE.
Written for tie Smyrna Tunes.
EV ENIEJG URS.
BY GRENvILLE SHARPE.
SOLIT u d f..

l. L u ID f..
In the busy, bustling world, the man of thought
and study can make but slow progress in the
acquisition of useful knowledge. The ever
varying cares and anXieties, the veXations, tolls,
troubles and ceaseless cares about the losses he
must sustain, and the profits 10 be realized from
his daily vocation, disturb entirely that happy
train of thought so necessary in the compost
tlon of his literary pursuits. He must, there
fore, often steal himself away, and in the bosom
OF solitude, compose his thoughts, and attune
his mind for the actions OF life,-ior what are
cur thoughts but substance when brought into
actions. In the shades of solitude, we are clear
Of the worlds hypocrtical smiles, and the fiat
terry OF false iriends,who over-rate our abilities,
or from envious feelings, fatter our infrmiies
in order to critcse our merits.
1t is said, /" the proper study Of mankind is
man." Whatever force there may be in this
axiom, one thing is certainly true, that nowhere
can the individual study the nature and dispo.
stion of his own heart and the grasp and
strength of his own mind, as in the retired
sages, philosophers, statesmen and divines'
hand formed their plans, and finished their pro-
grammes of works previous TO their acting be-
fore men what might seem to the worldly mind
a matter Of premature action; yet they had
matured all, in the fulness Of their Judgment,
with becoming zeal and determined energy, in
the hour of solitude.
Where can man examine his own heart in Il
preparation for the reception of our holy rcl-
giou as in solitude ! We are informed by the
prccepts of Holy Writ, that Paul, the Apostle
Of the Gentlles, had SO prepared himself, and
when on his way to Damascus, he received the
Divine inspiration of the Holy Chest, and &C,
Wien cast into prison, his solitude became u
paradise where he ccmmuned with God daily,
and by his pious med,tations, and fervent pray
ers to the Author of all Light, was enabled to
leave the prison-house, although the sentnels
stood by. The inestimable value of time,-of
which the indolent, having no conception, can
! form no estimate,-is much better learned in the
regularity ofsolitude, than in the light and airy
rounds of life. The best preventive against
the loss of time is, to be in the possession of a
useful routine of employment No time is so
woefuIly msspent as that in which we repine at
the want of it. The rural districts are Of all
others the most appropriate for the useful and
steady appropriation of time,-there, amidst
sturdy groves, open fields and the fragrance OF
perfumes the winds readily associate with
nature and is expanded with admiration and
gratitude to God, the giver of every good and
perfect gift.
What are termed great men, seldom exert
their mind or rouse the energy oftheir thoughts
on Other than great subjects, and when matters
Of this import are brought before them theiI
whole manhood burns with an enthusiasm tc
give the whole subject a thorough investiga
ton but the number of such individuals are
but few in any country, but the millions who
pursue steady and unwaverng course of ac
tion from the value of their requirements gain
ed in the hours of solitude, are in the whole th'
most useful members of society, and their uu
q wavering industry tells with unerring force, il
o long and steady course, to serve the State o
. nation.