The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1859-01-04
Nobilisas ex Laborare.
by NJ

4
There is very common, but perniciou,
and not unfrcquently in its consequences
fatal, even among parents, a solictude to
give tteir children what they term an &C
complished education, instead Of one of O
solid and useful character. They lose sight
Of tho true purpose, which should be to
train them to act an honorable part on the
busy stage Of life, rather than to fill mere.
ly conspicuous station. Their design is 10
qualify them to soar above what they con.
slider the ignoble herd, aud assuming an
enviable position among those whom they
are pleased to regard as the noble and the
great; that is, those who belong to the
learned professions, or those who move in
the gay circles of fasbion-in a word, those
who stand out in some sort Of relief from
the common plodding multitude. .-r
Permit us to inquire, who arc they who
may justly be called greati Surely not
tho butterflies of fashionl Fot the sons OF
wealth and pride; neither are they those
who, by the concurrence of adventurous cir
cumstances or artful management or even
through the force of superior talents or ge.
MUS, attain to stations of honor and distinc-
tion among their fellow. Let it never be
forgotten that elevation Of rank Is no great
ness Of soul They are truly great who,
in the dark and perilous hour cvince an en-
ergy of character superior to the discour-
agemeuts and trials of adverse fortune. They
are those who, in the midst Of prosperity,
and even when surrounded by the parade
and ceremony attendant upon an exalted
station, can never be prevailed upon to de-
viate from the requirements of moral recti-
tude, or be led to fancy themselves more
than men-who despise alike the cringing
sycophantc 70 ], and the insolence of wealth
and power-in whose breasts reside the
generous sympathies Of humanity, and who,
towards their fellow men, are, on all occa-
sions, frank, courteous and accessible =
Those, in word, who, under all circum-
ces, press right onward in the path of con.
scious duty, unterrified by frowns, unbought
by batteries; exhibiting in their whole
character model of stern, unbounding in
tcgrity, dcfying the rage Of the malicious,
and charming even the envious into admi-
ration.
And who are truly noble! We answer
they are those who, by persevering labor,
wiring bounteous tribute from the ur-
friendly sol-upon whose sun burnt brow
and furrowed check we read the evidence
of manly worth as well as hardy toll;
whose brawny arms fell tho sturdy mon
archs Of the forest and upheavc the mas.
sivc rock; whose skill and industry cause
the barren health TO smile with kindly her.
bage, and wave in the rich bloom Of lux
uriant harvest; who cause the bleating of
focks and the lowing Of herds, the sound
Of the swinging fail, and the crcaking of
the burdenc1 team to cnliven the scenes
where lately solitude rcigncd undisturbed;
and whose evening song Of gladness and
gratitude floats upon the breeze, where
formerly no sound broke tho death-like
stiffness save the howl Of tho ravenous
wolf, or the fierce yell Of the prowling
panther Who are true nobility They
arc mon of iron nerve, who WELD the
ponderous sledgc or plow the mighty deep,
or bring up the garish ligh' Of day the
embowelled treasures Of the earth, or they
who start at the sound of the midnight
bell to conquer and to save from the great
cr clement, that destroys our lives and
property in flash! and those who con
struck tho gallant ship or rear the stately
edificc; those who mould tho crude mate
rial into an infinitely diversified variety of
useful forms. THESE are indeed earth's
noblemen No human being occupies a
more honorable station in the universe Of
God than the virtuous and intelligent
working man.
In order, then, to lay the foundation
of future integrity and usefulness, and an
unfaiing result, for respect in society, Sc
cure to you, children a substantial and vir-
tuous education. They will thus DO pre-
pared to I'll with dignity and and credit
any condition in life in which they may
be placed, and to throw around thom the
influence Of a pure aud spolless examples.