Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-08-26

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excellence. This was the INSPIRATION ina.
moved Bunyan, an Edwards 1t makes
a true man, who lives to some purpose,
content to bear the perplexities OF the
present and enjoying the peace that the
World knows not of, and gives the earnest
Of a future all bright and glorious.
Such is our ideal of true greatness.
We have considered it as threefold in its
nature, like man himself, and each of its
divisions as composed of simple elements.
which, when united, form at once q beau
tiful, perfect and complete whole in every
part, like some fair structure, resting on a
sure foundation, with its every block of
purest marble chisseled by skillful
workman; fitted by practiced hand.
Such are they when viewed as separate
things. What, then, must they be when
united, forming, as they do, a compound
which is homogeneous, whole in which
is found no discordant element, unity
which is perfect, greatness which is God
like p?
In view Of all these facts and examples
why may we not become truly great !?
What obstacles are there in our way that
have not already been surmounted. Why
should not our motto be What man has
done, man may do ?" On whom has for
tune ever smiled with more benign coun-
tenance? When has day ever dawned
more suspicious than this In answer,
the country in which we live and the op-
portunities afforded were cited.
What are our means of becoming intel
lectually great when compared with those
of the Creek All our natural surround
ings, with their varied beauties, lead
onward and upward to its attainment.
The advantages of learning should inspire
to seek higher place of greatness. The
culture of the spiritual is privilege re-
served for Us alone. 1t was not in the
path of the Greek, and the future world
was an unexplored country, and all spirit
ual truth was confounded. An enlght-
ened conscience is pointing US to a way of
sin, anu way vi holiHess vi SihS H"'t
more than hell to shun; this more than
Heaven to gain.
How UNNECESSARILY superior then are
our advantages, and though 50 much more
is required at our hands, yet how easy is
it, comparatively to win the palm of true
greatness. The spirit of the age Is inspir-
ing Us with noblcr resolutions and holier
purposes, making it impossible for an en-
lghtoned people to retaliate, even with
the horrors Of Fort Pillow and Anderson
Vile, fresh in their memories, filling their
hearts with So large a measure Of forgive
ness
Thee considerations should urge us to
constant cxertion and the prize for which
we contend should be worth the gaining
The Greek strove for Il fading olive, the
growth of a single summer, that wither-
eth in the morrow's sun. Let US rather
strive to gain an imperishable crown,
wrought from gold which our own. labor
has purchased studded with gems collect
I'd in the mines of knowledge, and tipped
with pearls gathered i'll the pure river Of
life"
He closed as follows:
"Go on then, fellow teachers, in your
noble work, and as you pursue it strive
to become great, not like Caesar, but only
great a. you are good. Some men are
born great, some achieve greatness, while /
others have greatness thrust upon them. /
Our only chance for greatness Is to .
achieve il, for none of Us have been born .
to it, and none can be found to thrust it .
upon Us for the reason they have il not to .
spare Let Us then be earnest. and faith I
ful iii our work till we each secure the |
appellation Of the Good Teacher" wait
ing patiently for our full reward till the
time when the prophets words shall be
verified, when they that be teachers shall
shine a. the brightness OF the armament"
And let Us, as we are about to separate,
to pursue still further the duties of our
calling, each adopt as our motto, the lam
guage Of the brook:
"Eor men may come aud men IN y 20,