Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-01-13

Educational.

resolve To make it the subject ot vigorous study
II It treats of matter of opinions, We Should o'h-
yass those opinions, carefully weigh amt compare
the argument. until we have formed judgment
c,r ,nrselyes of their truth W lalsity. We are
under no Obligation to adopt any man opllon'
merely because il j. his opinion Although we
hn,e more confidence IN some men than IN oihefs'
vet as no one is inlallible We should ever lf on
our guard against error VI The work. winch we
are perusing. ism historical work, il Should N
read with care We should carefully compare
the statements ol the author, with our previous
knowledge upon the subject, and with the state
ment- of other authors. We should allow the
Gcts to make am impression upon the mind deep
enough to ay o. foundation for memory u +
tol often the case. that the qualification ol curi-
u4itv. ur the love Of excitement alone, prompts 10
the reading ot history So that after careless read
ing il cea-,'. Ia be- interesting Tor the curiosity
il eyctes and is thrown aside and forgotten. No
uccumte knowledge is g'ined of the lessons
which history Is competent To teach, and a. lar
ms any intellectual advancement Is concerned, the
time. devoted to reading, may as well Toe devoted
tp any other idle employment. Onc book thor
ouuhy studied and thoroughly understood. Will
confer more benefit upon the mind, more valuable
instruction and % better discipline than whole
library hastily and specifically read.
Perhaps some persons may think that, tins Is
tio laborious work and regret that there j. no
answer to -nch complaint is, that there Is no
royal r,nd 10 intellectual greatness. The path is
oiientimc. wearispme aud heset with difficulties
But mo- power of steam ur electrU-mu gnetism will
help as uu our way. They may overcome the
-tuhbjmurss of matter and change the mce OF
the physical world bat they cannot subdue the
necessity of intellectual hhOr IN acquiring a
strong and vigorous mind. Unjust be submitted
to the Judgment of each one to decide, whether
the reolmpense j. worth the labor undergone 4,
whether IL is hetfer ia Incidence and Ignorance,
b. live out worthless life, or ly manly efforts,
10 raise ourselves TO the elevation TO Which labor
and perseverance can attain. The choice is be-
tween the noble and the ign1blt, the worthy ami
the unworthy The question is 10 be determined,
whether it is better ~ respond b. the lofty uspra-
tions OF the mind, "a the promptings OF the Divin-
ty within, or 10 suecumb o. the deguding sug-
gestions of the animal desires. Ihi, is an inn
portant question. 10 is one Of the most import
ant we shall ever he called upon 20 decide. Il
win determine our happiness through life, a.
well az our usefulness upon others. IL will deter
mine whether we shall acquire and sustain high
standard Of usefulness in the world, rs well u-
the respect our memories shall receive from those
who shall come after u.s. There Is much, in the
history OF the past. to encourage IT'S o. make q
wise decision.
Having made some general remarks, in former
articles. upon the subject Of reading, it, adyant
ages and Importance, propose, in order 3, illus
tmte some Of the principles which ! have laid
down, To 70 more into details, by referring 10 diff
erent departments Of literature.
As science lies ut the foundation Of all litem-
ture, it is proper that our attention should be
turned 10 this branch of the subject. II is unnec-
ess,try to occupy time, in proving, that some nc-
quaintance with the Naturl Sciences, is neces-
s3ry to all. The subject cummend- ITSELF BY Its
intrinsic interest for Of all others, it may be re-
gurded rs the most delightful In them, we have
laid before us the operations Of nature the
means she adopts t0 accomplish her ends, and
the laws by which She is governed. We are
allowed to study the wisdom of the Creator, u,
displayed in the works Of his hand, from the per
feet adaptation of means 30 their ends, which we
observe in nature, as well rs the provisions every
where made, By the benevolent Creator, Tor the
maintenance and happiness VI all his creatures
even the most insignificant. We are able 90 gel
a more lust estimate. Of the kindness Of his Prov
dencc, than we can obtain from any other source
II the love OF abstract truth is not strong enough
to induce us to this study, other reasons are mol
wanting. which may perhaps exert % more power
FIJI influence The truth is not generally appre
catcd, that the progress Of mankind is intimate
~ associated with that Of science. The cultiya
ton of the sciences, have not Away been regard
ed by their contemporaries as the beneluctprs o
their race. 1t will not be difficult 10 show, tina
all improvements in the arts and consequently
all the progress in civilization, has been due, in
great degree, to the development of science. Fol
the arts are founded upon the sciences They arr
collection Of rules, applicable to some useiu
purposes. which have been deduced from the prin
cpes Of science They cannot advance, viii
more rapidity, than the sources whence they
spring They can do no more, than keep pao
with the science, and often, they are behind it
II, within the last sixty years, the arts have i'm
proved, beyond any precedent, 1t Is because TIN
progress of science has been equally rapid. ;
intimate, therefore, i the connection between sci
ence and art, that, an acquaintance with tht
principles Of one, is essential to the successful mp
plication Of the rules of the other
There i, indeed no department Of industry
which might not be rendered far more produc
tive, than it now is, by an acquaintance with The
principles Of science. Science therefore. equally
with art, is the assistant OF the lab1rer II light
ems his tolls, by increasing the prpductyenes- u
his labor. 1t fills his barns and granasies will
| plenty, and by giving him command over Tia,
forces Of nature, it makes him. in every sense, thu
! lord of the soil upon which he treads For the
/ purpose of illustration, | refer TO the recent dis
coyere, in Agricultural Chemistry. Although
vet in its infancy the promise which this scienc
| holds out, is such rs would justify Us in any an
/ ticpation of future benefit. Ii is not the larme
only, who is benefited By its acquaintance. Sh
dispenses her fyors in richest proiusion, TO al
who will choose to use her treasures. Neither /
/ it necessary for the practical man, to become ac
quaintcd with the inherent principles Of science
| in order 10 secure these benefits. We have popu
I lar works, written in almost every department O
learning, in which all that Is essential TO b
known, by the practical man, Is iamiliarly ex
! pnined and illustrated These works should b
read if not found upon the shelves of every pri
waite library, they should, at least, be found il
every public one
While reference has been made 10 the influence
of science upon the comforts, conyenences an,
pecuniary interests Of men, it has been felt tina
an appeal To motives was comparatively unwor
| thy, Provided, there might I've in it the sam
efficacy, it would be far more agreeable 10 per
suade men to read the works of science, by an mp
peal TO their sense OF duty
The Creator has surrounded H. with my ter
and beatty, He has imprinted his own cln,racte
upon his works, Divine love shines from then
all, and infinite wisdom and beneyolence ar
everywhere conspicuous throughout the kingdom
| OF nature. lie has also endowed Us with faculte
/ for searching ont and approaching the mysterie
of his creation. He has given restless curl
osity, primarily our strongest propensity, thereb
indicating his will that the mind should he exer
cised in the study of his works 10 such rs AZ
precate these tokens of Divine pleasure an
who, nevertheless, fail 10 be influenced by them
the solemn truth must be announced YOU kne,
your duty but you did it not.
Amous.