The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-12-19

ara properly disci iplined. Hence that
system of education which gradually and
simultaneously develops oil the powers Of
the being, is, without doubt, .he best
system.
Yet how rarely DO we find men, even
among those called educated, who are
synmetrically disciplined.
In our circuses there are generally
found men powerful physically but wrecks
morally. Many Of our Literary and Sci
enti6c colleges should either change their
system of education, or have free hos
pilal 10 connection With them. Some Of
our Theological seminaries furnish men
we'll educated mentally aud morally, but
20 deficient socially that they do bnt little
good as pastors, or are so broken down
physically, that at best they are unsuc.
cessful preachers.
There are two causes why christianity
has rot accomplished much more good
One is that there has always been such g
contrast between its teachings and the
lives Of many protesting it.
The other reason is, that SO large part
Of those practicing its principles, have
been, in many respects, inferior to the
people Of the world.
Christianity can never completely full
all its glorious. mission until christians
shall be able to withstand the evil infu
suces Of the world, and shall possess all
that the world has of real excellence, such
az true refinement, correct taste, knowI
edge of human nature, the laws of health,
msutal discipline, aud many other worthy
acquisitions.
Hence, of all men. christian should
be most literally educated. Paul, the
great Apostle to the Gcntiles, had sym
mesrical culture He was able to work
with his hands. and to travel on foot
Whether at lib,ry or in prison; among
friends or enemies; at home or abroad ;
he was equal to every emergency. He
was heroic when heroism was demanded,
and yet he was submissive when submis
sion was necessary. lie was social when
sociability was required, and eloquent
when the circumstances called for elO-
quence. He was great rcasOncr, and a
mastery writer, as his letters to the
Churches show. He was all things to all
men, that he might thereby save some
men. He understood and could declare
the True, the Beautiful, and the Good,
as be did before Felix and Agrippa, and
90 the Atheniaus on Mars Hill.
In modern times George Washington
presents perhaps, the noblest specimen Of
well balanced powers.
Men whoar dlsproportionally educated
are usually fanalical 10 all their opinions,
and are especially contracted and intol-
Grant in their political and religious views
When parents and teachers shall have
more liberal views Of education, and uu.
derstand better the natural laws of devel
opment, then will they be much more
nearly prepared to discharge their duties
70 the young. The principal condition of
animal growth is exercise. All natnrc
Invites the action Of a child's senses.
Innuwerable sounds reach his ear, an in
finite variety of objects meets his eye and
suggests examination. The food required
TO sustain life is only obtained after put
ting forth mental and physical efforts
Action always precedes progress. There
can be no scIt-advancement without pre-
vious seIfexertion. Every valuable ac-
QUESTION costs struggle-every oTown
n race.
How many children, at home and at
school, have been too closely confined
Everybody, in order to enjoy good hoalth
must have plenty of pure air, sunshipe,
wholesome food, proper exercise and rec
reation. Children not only require these
things, but they must have play, and fun,
aud time to rest.
There is a fearful account against many
parents and teachers for repressiDg, and
subduing in children the disposition to be
cheerful, playful aud happy. How many
parents think that a child is never too
tired to work when he has a desire to
play, and thus, by Overtaxing his pow,
ors, his growth is impeded, his finer feel
lngs stupened ana MS constitution weak
ened. How many try to make men and
women Of children prematurely. a man,
of course, should be manly, a woman
womanly, and is there any reason why a
child should not be chiIdishY On the
other hand many parents aud teachers
are too indulgent, and do for children
what they should do for themselves, there
by making them indoIcDt aud dependent
Ambition, rightly directed, is a good
thing. 1t is that Unsuitable longing after
superiority in the higher life. 1t is that
noble impulse which makes good resolu,
tions, aud that powerful motive force
which carries them out It's motto is
"E1celsior ' 1t is tho mighty engine
which 1ropels the great train of human