Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1867-01-09

co. Mr.. Herford begins" with that celebrated
saying of Richard Cobden, that there Is more
10 be learned from asheet OF the Times, than
from all the histories of Thucydides. Yet, for
all that, hold their reading-their earnest and
intelligent reading, mark you-as one of the
essentials Of life. Newspapers deal primarily
with the realms Of humanity, and they tell US
what is going on in that realm at the presen,
time. Is not this the primary requisite for g
~ell-inslructed life ? Surely it concerns US
more closely to know about the world of man
than to know about the world of matter-to
learn what is doing in human history than
what has been done in former times. OF cour,e
there must be great deal of triviaty mixed
up with the story of human life of too day.
This is simply inevitable Time sifts out the
petty details and leaves the large features more
conspicuous Vet he is not wise man Who is
impatient OF all these details, and sneers at
newspa pers because of them. 1t does not seem
TO to be true and healthy culture which
draws all mans thoug hts to abstract science
and recondite learning, and leaves him igno-
rant of the great conflict passing in the world
around him, and impatient OF the things which
concern the practical welfare of the society in
which he lives. The worst of it is that this
contempt for newspapers is too often only
symptom OF deeper defect-a careessness of
the world and of man. | do not think this
compatible between deep study in one special
direction and warm interest 10 what is going
on in the living world. From this, as the CEN
ire, stretch out your thought, and interest, and
learning, as far you like, back to the child
hood Of cur race back into old geologic periods
if you will, or away to the tiniest star that the
telescope reveals, just glittering the farthest
| verge of space. But first, and underlying all
are man and the world around you and the
newspaper.
And let me especially urge the reading of a
newspaper as distinct means of selfculture
upon women. 1t may sound strange at first
| blt think II almost more important women
| than TO men, and for this reason: men going
out into the world from day to day, are pretty
| sure to De swept up 10 the level of what is
passing in It whether they read the paper or
| not, but 1t is not win women. They, 10
| their quiet, household life, may go on for weeks
hardly hearing a word OF what is passing In the
great world outside, and the little they do hear
conveying no living meaning to them. | think
this is great evil. 1t not only narrows the
| range of womans life, but she loses great
| deal OF the happiness which would come of in
telectual companionship and community of in
| terest with men-with father, brother or 8
husband. Is It not too often the case lnat the
wife and husband live, to some extent In diff
| erent worlds of thought and interest? Part
| of this may be attributed to mans incommuni-
catIveuess, but part of the cause lies deeper
| 1t is because women are 30 seldom educated to
take an interest IN what is going on in the
world around them. and are unable, withou,
| tedious explanations, to enter into the news
which each week briggs from every quarter of
| the globe. l would put 1t to women not 10
depend on the explanations and comments of
men, generally gwen, when ct all, in brief
| -. ! IL
and them especially an important part of
sell culture. And read it Alright, not by voting
politics anu foreign news a bore, but by keep
ing open eye and an understanding mind
| for the passing history IF nations and the great
interests which are stirring the heat of the
world. Inere are, on the other hand, things
| In the world, and they related in newspa-
pers, which are not calculated to enlarge the
mind, but minister, instead, to gosslpng, NOR
| bid curiosity, and sometimes inGe6d to arouse
depraved feelings. But newspapers reflect like
the worlds llsnt ard lts shade To the pure
all things are pure. while the impure will find
everywhere things which will make him more
impure. There are some who go through the
world ike vultures, looking out tor garbage and
corruption they will find 1t in newspapers, as
/ they Will ind 1t everywhere" Here We would
| interrupt for q moment the reverend gentle
man S discourse by the remark, that not few
of the newspapers OF the present day are dis
ti7guished for their high standard of ethical
proprieties and studions avoidance of what
ever would bring blush to the cheek of mod
esty.
While speaking of the value of newspapers
| as agents III Christian civilizst ion, the preach
| er is careful not to omit to mention their use
as educators, teaching homely, practical wis
dom to whole classes, who, but for them, would
be at the mercy of every clever demagogue or
every gust of popular suffering or passion.
Best, perhaps, of all the Of newspapers in
tue general culture OF society is that In which
they keep alive and encourage a quick and
wholesome sympathy among men. 1t is not the
small gossip OF neigbborhood, it is the Joys
and sorrows of the world, that are brought to
our very doors from day to day in the newspa-
pers. These thrills CT sympathy come right
athwart our daily life-an element OF deeper
and diviner feehpg..for which God be bethankeo
Mr.. HerfoFd concludes MS discourse by rec M
mendation to read newspapers ciscriminately,
choosing their wisest lessons, gathering their
| largest use, and after fashion they will come
| TO be regarded scriptures, not without
something sacred in tnem-an everchanging
Bible, not indeed of some cain, venerable past,
but of present in which God is as near as He
was in days of old, and whose slow changes are
still the unfolding of his will. p Philadelphia
Ledger.