Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-04-08


arrangement that wator should so expand
when changing into ice. Things are meas
ured by their seeming utility, by the amount !
Of cash which they will bring in, the amount /.
damage which they will saye. Such indi- ,
viduals would become adopts in that part Of
arithmetic which treats of profit and loss, Of
interest, and especially would they become
ccstatic over that part which treats Of quar-
terly payments in compound interest. But
what do they know of the mighty volume ,
Of naturel The map of existence is spread
out before them, but it is marked with signs
and symbols. 1t is all algebra to them
They cnunot solve its mighty problems
But the intelligent student of nature soon
ascertains that if water, when assuming the
frozen form, should follow that common law
Of nature that cold contracts, the results
would be most disastrous. Brooks, creeks
and rivers would become solid masses, the
earth would be bound in icy fetters, and
then when tho rigors Of winter we're over
come by the melting influences Of spring,
perhaps floods would sweep over the land,
destroy the labor of the husbandman,
bear on their bosom the cottage Of the poor
and the prineely abode of the wea|th-god,
and mark their path with general ruin
How delightful it must be to think in ev-
cry cause to read M effect in the physiog- |
nomy of nature to read the spirit that
dwells withn
But this is only a single phase Of the
subjecL-the pleasure to the individual
Who shall calculate its immeasureable util
ity? Perhaps scarcely any one would dis
pute the proposition that by habit, the men
tai action increases both in strength and ra-
pidity. All know with what ease and fa-
ciity we can perform operations at first
difficult, after having become acquainted
with the mod,ts operdndi. Now these two
folces-strength and rapdity--sre equivs-
lent to momentum. BY the momentum of
a cannon ball strong may wall be injured,
but if heavier balls be hurled, and with in.
creased rspldity, the strongest bulwarks Of
defense may be demolished. Thus the for
tifcations Of error may be overthrown.--
Let me illustrate by figure.
A company of men, for self-defense or for
whatever purpose, erect around the place
where they intend to remain, a wall strong,
:; massive, lofty. The assailants, who desire
to take captive the inmates of the fortifica.
tion, attack it, but with weapons compare
= lively harmless. 1t is proof against the
bow and arrow, the rihe-ball, the battering.
ram, or perhaps even the cannon of small
calibre But at length the congregated ma.
vies Of allied nations surround it. Stal
> wart men, under tho direction of skillfu
leaders, stow away at proper places, maya
If zines of wrath, preparatory to the approach
Or ing struggle. Planted on proper elevation:
RS and at proper distances in obedience tc
n mathematical laws, may be seen those pol
e ished engines of death, brass cannon of huge
ot dimensions. Everywhere on a grand anC
ot imposing scale, is seen busy preparation fo
" the hurting of shells. And now, when al
IS, things are ready, the work of destruction
e, begins. Thick fly tho missiles of DEATH
All day long is heard the incessant roar o
G, cannon. Bursting shells hurry to prOma
n ture graves the unhappy inmates Th,
ut pondsrous wall begins to give way, Pres
III emily con6sgration is added, and pani
III seizes the besiegod, and victory and spoil
at perch upon the standard of the besiegers.
in Such, think, not iuaptly represents tn,
- power and progress Of truth. By it. ol,
systems hoary with error, and replete will
III innate vice, may be met and swept away
es In its cruciblo new views and dogmas maj
in be melted and their purity tested.
le But how is all this accomplished Ger
at tanly not by him who has never learned Il
he think. Such an one may make his mari
lis in the world, and so does the inoffensiv'
be worm. Blot out the efforts of tho vigorous
,s thinkers Of the past, and even small
i'll amount of thought would point out thu
is depths of the degradation which we woulc
to occupy. But the acquisition of knowledg'
lit alone will not accomplish the desired object
will not place man in the position he ma,
to occupy. 1t is the application of that knowl
ny edge that adds position TO the character o
e- the possessor, and make him man. Th,
b. longing desire, the ceaseless pursuit 70
ng something new, and not so much new a
'ct true, is what accomplishes the renovation
e, and elevation of mankind.
Is any new desire awakened ? is any i'm
be mortal longing fed is any already good in
cs tention strengthened TOR does the studOn
or leave the halls Of instruction at the close c
1T the term with no increased desire to return
re- nay, with positive dislike to 60 back an
ch recommence his Investigations Has hi
ou instruction been such, that he looked upo
ay it as task to learn the lesson assigned him
lg, has he studied it, because it was wort
We learning, or only because it was the amour
le- assigned him for recitationi Then he ha
is not thought only what thought was nece'
as sary to acquire the facts of his task, ofwhic
ly facts, no does not know perhaps, whethe
they are true or false. 1t is all drudger,
ht, force-work, nothing free. Now let me ssl
ca how much is such an ono beneftedl Sha
ID | not say that he has sustained a positiy
til injury' How much the school room ma
re, perform in creating aspirations know no
ch but certainly it should not put out the a
ser ready lambent fame, but should fan it an
in add fuel to the blaze.
We But again: certainly not all aspiration
he should be encouraged Some may be in
moral in their nature or tendency, som
me foolish. Some persons indeed there may b.
ny and perhaps are, who pursue learning fc
is the sake of position or the honor attache
or to tho possession Of it. This is manifest
icy not as disiuterested motive as when pursl
a., y T.. Al lo.,o oc - o.I ..,..l L -.