Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1859-04-07
The Value of Employment.

Since both soul and body arc made for ex
crtion, there is nothing more conducive to
the result of their joint health,
than fit employment. A house bereft of |
tenants goes to decay. A vehicle laid up
without use rusts aud moulders. A fine
piece of machinery is never so sale, as when
fabricated and moving. Body and soul,
made for perpetual activity, must work and
work together, in order to be in good cond-
ton. Of all engines, the human body is the
most amazing. From the days of Socrates,
as reported by Xenophon, philosophy has
been studying the mechanics, the chemistry,
the vital forces, the adaptations, the final
causes Of this structure, so fearfulty, so WON
derfully made. There is no steps forward TO
new principles in physics, in optics in the
growth of structures, which does not find it.
self anticipated by some marvellous realza.
ton of its idea in tho human body. Con-
sidered as working engine, there is none
which werks SO chcaply, with so little waste,
and so long, or which contains such provis5
ions for its own repair. How every survey
of the skillful mechanism shows that it was
made to move. Its central, propelling ell
CINE, meyer stops, except in cases which cause
instant dread of death. Heart, lungs, and
brains, play on through all the thousand
nights of Sleep An instinct Of nature
prompts the young to be in almost perpetual
motion. Also ute rest there is none. And
if, from necessity of choice, any approach to
mmobility becomes the habitude of body as
in the case Of some sluggish and morbid na-
lures, the result is lethargy and endless dis
turbance of the vital functions. This frame
was made for labor.
Equally true is this of the yetmore subtitle
because spiritual part The so is essential
ly active. OF II mind that does not think,
no man can frame notion. The human
mind is made to be active. 1t is inquiring,
and athirst for knowledge Its active pow
ers irresistlbly seek for some object on which
to exert themselves. Healthtul, moderate
reposc, chiefly by change OF employment, is
good but entire, continual, unbroken quies-
ence, is misery. Never was there more
dire mistake than that of men who abandon
the honest and useful business of life, under
the pretext of rest. Un,ess they have sim
gular resource, in science, literature or phi
lunthropy, they sink into hebetule, weary Of
the everlasting holiday, let their heart cor
rode with sulcn thoughts, and sometimes fall
prey to evil habits or premature dotage -
Philosophy, no less than Religion, enjoins--
: unless where invincible necessities from in6rm-
ity or age clearly speak another language
that we should live working, and die in the
: harness. Hence the value of a trade or call
ing and of working at it. | believe it
lenghens life. belive it slaves off tribes
of maladies and conceits. | am sure it pro-
notes that spring and citation of soul, without
which life is a long disease. If you would
: find the most wretched man or woman in
your neighborhood, look for the one who has
: nothing to do. Unless allowed to prescribe
S employment even the best physician cannot
\ cure the valetudinary complainer. For after
i all has been said, employment begets cheer
g funess; and merry heart doeth good like
u a medicine Req. J. w. Alexander.