The Greene County Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 185?-1867, 1867-06-26
[From the Cumberland Presbyterian
A TEACHER: HUMAN PRO.
GRESS.

the several departments Of Gods gov
ernment, ard a beautiful analogy in the
application OF the laws of each. There
is, however radical difference between
them, which Is clearly exempltied by
comparing the physical department
with the moral for the laws of the
former are inexorable while those of the
latter are free, yet, a knowledge of the
one assisls-us to understand the other
A knowledge Of Physics is very valu,
able auxiliary in studying ethics, The
laws of the spiritual world are, in a
great degree, revealed In the material
world. Christ teaches us this by EN-,
ploying natural things to illustrate his
doctrines. Nature is a great teacher.
The earth itself is great uook on whose
rocky leaves, by Gods own hand, il
recorded its own history that Is, some
thing about It's age and the character OF
Its inhabitants before man came here to
live But this book can only be read
by the earnest student of science
There are. however, other lessons to
be learned from this teacher that are not
80 difficult that are, indeed, so very
easy, so palpabe, that the most casual
observer, the most reckless thinker, can
not but gain some knowledge from this
source, though he do it unwittngly,-
The sun shines upon the earth, warns
vegetation into life, aud there is physical
development. The Sun of righteous
ness shines upon the human soul, ani-
mates Its latent virtues, and there is
moral development.
1t is e geological revelation that the
noble metals, gold, silver, platinum, and
all physical jewels, the diamond, garnet,
emerald &C., did not originally exist
upon the surface of the earth, but anter-
ior to mans creation were thrown up
from its depths by an lgneous or volcan,
ic action This is a physical phen-
omenon. 1t isa psychological fact that
all moral jewels, brilliant ideas, maxims,
sentences worthy of preservation and
Immortality, do not originally exist
upon the surface of the mind, but are
thrown up from Its depths, from the
human understanding, by the agency of
thought. This is an Intellectual phen.
omenon.
Capillarity gives alimcnt to the plant.
This is the source ofphysical growth
Reflection gives vitality to the idea.-
This Is the source OF intellectual growth.
The wind, the agency OF excitement
among the aerial elements, dives along
our streets, whirls around our dwellings,,
dispelling miasmatlc vapor, driving
away the seeds Of pestilence, making the
air healthful and bracing This Is at,
mospheric enthusiasm. Sensation, the
agency of excitement among the mental
elements, permeates every avenue ofthe
person ; excites every passion; arouses
every dormant power of the mind calls
into requisition the esthetc elements of
the soul; dispels melancholy; drives
away stupidity and imparts vigor and
animation to the whole being. This is
psychological enthusiasm.
The dashing rain falls rapidly upon
the frozen ground, the violent shower
beats vohemently upon the parched
earth, making excavations here and
there, tearing down fences, washing
away property, turning over houses. and
passes away, leaving the ground harder
than before. This is violence in the
physical world, But the quiet rain
falls all day and falls all night, aud cons
tlnues to fall till the chains of winter
are broken or till the crusts of summer
are melted and then passes away leav.
ing all nature rejoicing. THIS Is calm.
ness iE the ply steal world. The cnthu.
slas'ic retormer approaches the man of
dissipation and impetuously upbraids
hlm-caIls him a fool for pursuing
course that must inevltrbly end in pam
ful unhappiness. But he only exci,es
the parsion of the unfortunate man and
instead Of reforming him confirms him
in his ruinous course This is violence
in the moral and intellectual world -
The dispasslonate minister demonstrates
with the inebrlate quietly, reasonably,
yet earnestly. He excite his reflection.
The dlssipated man sees the lamentabe
position he occupies, laments his reck.
lessness, is convinced that his course is
foolish and dangerous and resolves to
reform. This is calmness in the moral
and intellectual world.
The seed Of plant lies inclosed in a
dried or frozen crust Of earth. Long
neglected by the rain 1t refuses to grow.
The tempestuous shower sends down its