Nebraska advertiser. [volume] (Brownville, Nemaha County, N.T. [Neb.]) 1856-1882, 1869-06-10
EDUCATION.


Never, perhaps, until the recording
angel reads from the book of remem-
brance' the history of each individual,
and each sees his life recorded, will
the good or evil be known Of the prop
er or improper instruction of children
and youth.
The mind, whatever il is, or whence
its source, depends upon outward in
fluence for development. Thoughts,
like ''the diamond in the rough - or
gems in the mine, lie buried in the
mind until cultured speech or skill
ful pen gives them an expression.
Mans condition on earth, or in any
state of existence, depends upon his
character and his capacity for happi-
ness or misery. Each Individual has
q character to form, and a destiny to
work out. This is q glorious, yet fear
ful truth. That is q truth no one will
deny. Has not each human being
who ever appeared on the earth his
tory of its own; aeharaeteF Of its own. /;
destiny Of its own.
Now the question comes up: Is
man, free to form just such q character
as he wishes to have. The free agency
of man is vexed question. Moral
philosophers and dmetaphysicians have
wrangled over it, written yOlumns
upon it, and the question is sundecided
yet. Better deal with facts and not
give too much prominence to specula-
ton. Leave that in the back ground.
When a proposition is presented to
the mind, demanding decision be-
tween two courses of actions, without
doubt it has the power of choosing
and very great consequences may be
the result Of the choice; even the eter-
nal destiny of the Individual. Yet,
there are circumstances and events in
his life which he cannot control !;
which his freedom of choice cannot
reach. But well formed character,
produced by a proper development Of
mind, feels espOnsibility resting up
on it to instruct others. How deeply
should this responsibility be felt by
parents, teachers and the guardians of
children and youth. They have char
acters to form, and their destiny rests
with their character.
If blank ignorance were the only
result of an uncertain mind, it would
be bad enough, to be sure. But that is
not all; the mind is not learning that
which is good and useful in learning
that which is bad and hurtful. The
best way to keep men from going
down those highways to parditiOn,
the saloon and gambling house, is to
thoroughly and properly educate
them; beginning in early childhood.
The sad effects Of an imperfect edu-
cation is seen in woman more than
man. 1t has led her in to that very
bad habit of gOssipping, for which
she is daily becoming the reproach.
She is prone to be suspicious, and
surmise wrong things OF her female
acquaintances. Then at their societies
and gatherings it must all be talked
over, which is not dignifed, nor
graceful, nor lovely and mars very
much the beauty of female character.
a properly cultivated mind would
protect all this.
Again, woman has been made a
! dupe to most ridiculous fashions,
grace and gentility, harmony of eolOrs,
! SYMMETRY of form, and about every
thing which goes to make up a beau
tiful female toilette is lost sight of in
artificial flowers, ribbons, velvets,
/ jewelry, stays, chignOns and pOnIpa-
dores and oh what time is trified
away in changing to the ever capri
ciOus wishes of fashion.
Now, was woman thoroughly educa-
ted, this would not be. She should
not stop with a little music and
French, which are all very well as far
as they go. Her education should be
useful as well as ornamental. 1t has
been truthfully said by that great
philosopher, Ben. Franklin, that
''economy is the mystery of wealth. "
In that art she should be perfect. Per
haps in that depends the prosperity of
families more than all the boasted
| business talent Of men. She should
| be thoroughly instructed in the sci
ences; but it may be argued that this
\ would make her masculine in her
| manners. Tt is q mistake that thought
and intellectual culture produce what
/ is called masculine character. Men
of the highest cultured intellect are
the most gentle, kind and refined.
| Often women Of the most thoughtful
and powerful minds are as delicate
and fragile as the lilly which drops
/ before the rays of the sun, and as
sensitive as the aspen which trembles
at the slightest breeze. While the
most vulgar course, masculine women
are as destitute of thought and refine
ment as the painted doll. It is true
/ of women as of men, "a little learning
| is dangerous thing" A thorough
education of ali the principal branches
should be given to both men and Wo-
men, beginning in early childhood.
| JENNETTE HARDING.
|