Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1869-10-02
THE OF GOOD.

There is no more striking evidence Of
progress, whether seen in q nation or in
a community, than b e;inersasing diffu-
sion among the people Of all that tends
to elevate their character, or to increase
their happiness. In past ages, exclu.
sivensss, restriction and monopoly pre-
vailed. The world, with its varied.
treasures, was made, it was thought,
for the privileged few, while the many
were but stepping stones whereby the
few could reach the nights to which
ambition pointed. Silently, but surely,
this system has been crumbling away,
and the Importance of man as man is
gradually becoming recognized. Pre-
eminently in our own enlightened coun-
try is the value Of man asserted, and
bis rights protected. That every human
being shall possess the means of health,
happiness, progress and %sslf.culturs, as
far as they are discovered, and as fast
as be is capable Of using them, is a doc
,rine which is practically carried out by
Us, as in no other nation on the globe.
The universally Of industry among our
people, the numbsrless channels through
which It flows, aud the unfailing reward
it obtains, are among the best proofs OF
this. The American masses are not
straining every nerve for mere subsist-
ence, but are pressing on in tho various
enterprises leading to promotion and
success. Commerce is breaking through
limits and restrictions, and spreading
its blessings upon all. Education 10
freely extended to every child, and the
results of tho deepest Investigations are
diffused as soon az attained. Liturature
and science are no longer sealed books,
locked up in colleges and opened only
to the scholar; but their principles are
spreading intelligence over the entire
community, and are applied to the most
practical purposes Of life. Even the
wonderful discoveries of science are not
so remarkable or so rapid as its extsu-
sion. Books, once tho ~luIuries Of the
rich, are now within the reach Of all {;
and the press, untrammsled, sends its
wealth Of knowledge alike to the q
sion and the cottage.
While We may justly rejoice that the
diffusion of good SO greatly character
ize, our nation and our times, we must
never overlook the fact that it is only q
gradual development, to be carried On
ward by constant and energetic effort.
All grand effects are produced by the
harmony Of small causes. Az the in
spring effect of the oratorio can only BIZ
accomplished by the %persevering labor
of each single performer, so the noble
results Of the diffusion Of good in q com.
munity can. only be reached through
the a~ssiduous efforts Of each individual.
Every one Of US can render important
service in this great work. We have
each something, the diffusion of which
will benefit mankind. Some have
wealth, some have power, some have
influence, and some have learning, but
those who have none Of these things
may yet perhaps possess the means Of
diffusing far higher good. In teaching
the ignorant, in raising the unfortunate,
in relieving the distressed, in comfort
log the afflicted, in restoring the erring,
in the friendly word of warning, in the
kindly tone af s, mpatby, in the hopeful
look of encouragement, each may con-
tribute his part to the great work Of the
diffusion Of good. And not in these
alone, but also in the steady and faith
full performance of our allotted duties
can wo spread %iucalculable benefits
around US. Tho value to mankind Of q
single earnest worker who brings all bic
powers to bear upon his labor has never
yet been estimated. He is difusiug not
only material benefits in the practical
results o: his work, but industry, 6dcl-
ity, patience and energy by his example
and influence. Viewed in this light
nothing is trivial, and no human action
is Insignificant. We live not for our
selves alone, but for u race, not in the
present only, but in the future. All
that we are now doing, and Of which
We take perhaps no note, is to survive
our age, and to endure in its influence
to the end Of time. All good grows BY
diffusion. As seeds shut up alone grow
old and worthless, but scattered over
the fertile soil bring forth abundantly,
so whatever good we possess will shrirel
and decay if locked up in u " pos.
session, but if literally showered upon
it will increase q thousand fold,
and bles, alike those who give and
those who receive.