Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1870-12-22
Formation of Character.


leaf in the history of our lives, we think
a few words to our young friends who
are just starting out in life, concerning
the formation of true character, would
oe appropriate TO the occasion. Time,
in his hurried march, has brought us
nearly TO the close of another year. A
few more days, and the old gear passes
into eternity. Its bright dawnings and
pleasing associations, its joys and its
sorrows, its moments well spent, and its
moments wasted, will soon be recorded
with the past. Oft will memory revert
to the bright and sunny spots scattered
here and there through the journey of
life, as living mementOes of other days.
There are bright places-oases as it were,
in every ones past life, the memory of
which thrills the heart with joy. But
the question meets us, have we spent
these precious moments to the best ad-
vantage? Have We done all that was
in our power to do, to make ourselves
and others happy? If not, then let us
begin anew with the New Year. To
our young friends especially would We
say, make good use of the precious mo-
ments as they are given to you. Strive
to mould your character after the fash
ion of the great and good. To the ac-
QUESTION of extensive knowledge, in
cesssnt application and industry are
necessary. Nothing great nor good has
ever been accomplished without them.
Be willing then to labor; be not satis-
fled with superficial attainments, but ac-
custom yourself to habits of accurate
and thorough investigation. Why spend
time in catching nothing but minnows
in the shallow brooks, when you can
just as well cast your line into the deep
waters and bring forth large fish? Ex-
plore the foundations and first princi-
piles of every science. Be select in your
reading-become familiar with the
great masters of the world, who will
enrich your mind with profound, en-
larged and exalted views; and who,
while they form you to habits of just
and noble thinking, will also teach you
to cherish pure and generous feelings.
To make these thorough acquisitions,
you must guard against immoderate in
diligence of your passions, and the Sc
ductions of evil companions. A life of
dissipation and pleasure, is death to su-
perior excellence. A body invigor-
ated by habits of temperance and self
denial, and mind undisturbed by un-
holy passion, serene and cheerful in
conscious rectitude, are most powerful
auxiliaries in the pursuit of science.
One of the best things to read in early
life, is few well selected biographies Of
men who were distinguished for their
general knowledge, such as Demos
themes, Newton, Locke, Doddridge,
johnson, all accomplished and illustri-
Gus scholars. Itwas by no secret magic
that these mighty scholars attained to
distinction and fame, it was by patient,
perseyering and untiring industry. If
the eloquence of Demosthenes shook
with its thunder the throne of Philip,
and ruled the fierce democracy of
Athens; and if the vehement denuncia-
tions and powerful appeals of Cicero
drove Cataline from the senate-house,
and made Caesar tremble, it was by the
private studies and profound medita-
tions of the closet. If Newton, with a
flight more adventurous than the eagles,
scared to the very boundary ofcreation;
if he explained the laws that govern the
universe, and let in flood of light upon
the world-it was ardent attachment to
science-it was intense, patient, untiring
industry that gave to the pinions of his
mind that vigor which elevated and sus-
tanned him at so lofty height. If
Burke charmed listening senates by the
masculine strength and brilliancy of his
thoughts-if Hall and Chalmers pro-
claimed from the pulpit immortal truths
in their loftiest strains-it was not on
ly because they ranked among the first
scholars, but also among the most labo-
rious of men. Initiate their industry,
their eager love of learning and the zeal
with which they pursued it.