Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1871-06-14
biography of a Human Thought.
BY REV. JOHN TODD, D. D.

1 am very old, but don't know my
own age. l was born long, long time
ago, and have forgotten who my father
was, or in what country he lived. Blu;
| have always understood that / was born
in small! box made of bones, a dark
abode where mind and matter meet and
act together, as they do nowhere else
There is sort of cushion in the room
where l was born, called "the BRAIN
but how it ever helped create me- could
never tell. Ny father rolled me over
and rubbed me down long time before
he felt satisfied to own me rs his child.
When he felt sure l was worth raising,
he got reed aud made q pen, and a
piece Of papyrGs plant for paper, and
drew me out sort of picture to see how
l would lock. And then he smiled and
felt that | was smart young fellow, and
so he sent me out into the world to make
my own way. And now for ages | have
continued to keep alive. Sometimes l
have been shut up 10 scrolls written on
parchment, and tucked away in some ST.
lent library, and after lying there till
forgotten, and thought myself dead
some ambitious fellow would fnd me
and dress me up little differently, and
send me out as bis own new born child
1t would be curious to know how many
fathers l have had. if every one claiming
me were my father. Then again, l
have been sometimes called Greek or a
Roman, a Spaniard, or Of some modern
nation. have seen myself dressed up
as German, Frenchman, an italian,
or an Englishman, or an American.
At last l found my way into a print
ing office. 'sOh DEAR" exclaimed, 81
shall now be squeezed to death!' So
they dipped me into the blacklist ink.
and brought the press down on me with
all its power. seemed to be smother
ed; when, presto! l came out not only
alive, but multiplied, so that now | seem
to have a thousand mouths through
which to speak. How l was admired /!
A thousand eyes could see me at the
same time if they chose. / could now
90 to many libraries, and with strong
hopes that | should not be forgotten.-
How many have been startled on see
ing me for the first time! How many
have l put to thinking as / raped on
their BRAIN Of how many young
thoughts am the father! At last | was
put 10 new position. The newspapers
got hold of me, and they didn't stop to
inquire when or where l was born, or
who owned me-; how would men look on
me! Would they think aud talk about
me9 So they tossed me out in the wet
sheets of daily paper. Away few
on railroads and by steam everywhere,
aud in every direction. entered the
family; was admired in the railroad car,
and noticed by all kinds Of people. Then
l was caught up by other papers, and
tossed over the land, sometimes 80 alter
ed that | hardly knew myself Then
went abroad through the world, picked
up and fondled by all nations. as leaped
from press to press, till | had gone around
the globe. have been around the earth,
and seen myself in India, in China, aud
in every part Of tho world. | have con
firmed the doubling, scattered darkness
that was making men sorrowful, strength
ened goodness and confirmed faith.
And now l am just as fresh as when
first came into being, Time does not
wear me out. Men come and go, but |
live. lam forever rolling, and yet at
rest. l leave my impress on the young,
and make memory wake up in the DO
som of the aged. | have helped to
form human character. And a great
future is before me. / shall live on the
earth as long as the earth herself shall
live, and when she dies shall live il the
great kingdom of eternity; and the time
will never come when | shall die and be
forgotten! There is to be no grave for
me. l am imperishabIe; and my TN
known father gave the world great
oft when | was born.
Gentle reader, you will die, but I shall
live. You may cease to influence men,
but | shall not. You may be forgotten.
but | shall fly on wings that never tire.
| shall forever be hailed as great thing
"A SINGLE HUMAN THoUGHT.