The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-11-14

steady effort, have demonstrated, ant
from it have learned the times aut
seasons" of other worlds.
So, in every science, in every depart
ment Of knowledge, progress is the re
suit of labor. earnest, patient, labor. L
is the eternal decree in the world of In
tellect, as in the world OF nature arounC
US, that those productions that are o
continual life-giving utility are the sure
reward of labor. "By the sweat OF thy
brow thou shalt eat thy bread is a:
true in regard to the bread that sus
tains the mind as that which sustain:
the body. The great heaps OF intellect
ual food stored away in the granaries
Of knowledge, have come from seed
sown in toll and suffering, and watered
with blood.
In speaking Of the mind, we do no
intend treating it effectively; we do
not purpose talking about the develop
ment of the mind, but the development
of some good out of the mind. We
need no mental philosophy to help u:
in this direction; we want no fine
drawn metaphysical rules; we want no
definitions Of the faculties and their
functions.
We know, in this practical considera'
ton, but one faculty, and that is the
whole mind-but one function, and that
is labor. We do not like the express
sion, development OF the mind; the
student must not have that in view
that is a selfish expression. A man
who studies has no time to think about
mental operations; a man who does
physical labor cannot observe and
amuse himself with the motions Of the
muscles. Let us get rid OF the idea
that we study to make ourselves, and
receive the nobler idea that we study 10
accomplish something out OF ourselves.
The student must be oblivious OF self
and have his heart set upon that which
is before him. If there is any distinc'
ton that sets genius above other minds,
it is this; it is the Jealous, fanatic, un-
selfish, sublime devotion to the work
that it is called upon to do. What ii
findeth to do it does with all its might.
Men OF genius" as they are termed,
are noted above all things for their
heroic activity, their burning zeal; they,
above all other men, undergo the great
est struggles, the bitterest self denia!s.
They know no cause but that which
claims their serviCe-no pleasure but
that which is pain to smaller men, the
pleasure of labor. Therefore, | insist
upon this simple philosophy Of mental
grandeur; it is the result OF self abne,
CATION and unceasing labor, Of which II
is not the end, but the might!er meals
Of greater work.
All who have read the autobiography
Of Goethe that giant mind OF Germany,
will accord that the characteristic most
prominent from his very childhood was
his untiring industry, his unselfsh de-
votion to the requirement Of knowledge.
If Shakespeare had left us his biography
we doubt not it would show that he
did not pass his youth in posching deer,
and idling about the town with merry
comparisons: his plays are sufficient
testimony; repIete with thought, and
profound knowledge Of man, tull of the
learning OF all ages, they bear an in
contestab!e proof Of his laborious re-
search, his acute observation, and earn
est study.
1t is a truth OF course which we do
not wish TO dispute, that we come into
the world with very unequal capacities;
the stars indeed do seem 10 bless the
nativity OF some, and with malign in
tluence curse that Of others. But
surely the greatest and rarest Of all their
blessings is the blessing OF diligence,
and The direst and most common OF all
their curses is the curse OF slotb.
How few 40 recognize in their daily
lives this simple, trite, truth that &C
ton i. lie, inaction is death Where
in nature does anything remain quiet
All is in perpetual action: the growth
of vegetables and animals in action; the
air is kept tit for respiration by continual
action; thew waters move on 10 the ocean,
reaScend the skies, and return again to
their sources--in one perpetual circle OF
action. Were the planets to cease
their divine'y appointed action, they
would rush with headlong ruin into
their burnin. centre. Action, action,
action, it is written upon every WORK OF
God; we see it in every herb, in every
blade OF grass, the birds sing it-and
exhibit it continually by their instinc-
tive industry: the swift-hyng lightning
hlazors it on the cIonls, and the deep
roaring thunder makes earth tremble
at It's reality.
All nature is in perpetual motion, and
the motive-Io7ce is God, the mind OF the
universe operating through fixed laws
OF action
All this sublime activity OF nature is
governed by invariable laws. The
mightie2t forest tree is developed
through the operation OF certain myster'
ious laws from tie tiniest seed.
The human mind is not an exception
TO the general truth, bat on the con-
trary the grandest example OF Its
power. 1t is not unlike the forest oak.
1t comes into the world a little, spirit
germ, tender and weak, but planted in
tue soil Of good society, wsterei by the
hand Of love and shone upon by the
light of knowledge, it springs up and
reaches toward heaven, whence it came.
Man, in his physical formation, unlike
othec arimals, can turn bis cOuntenaGce
upward and look upon the stars. As
Ovid apply expresses It,
"O' hom!ni sublime d-d!t, coelumque
iucH,
Iuss.t, at ercc.os al sidcra to!!ere vu!tus.'
So also his spiritual formation is such
that he can fix his mind and affections
upon the acquisition OF truth and look
upwarl ;owarl Him who is the source
of ali truth. 1t is in the exercise OF our
moral faculties and intellect that We
fulfill the object o; our creation. 1t is