Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1872-10-31

lstence of truth in the soul of man-frst the essence
or prototype of the truth it exists in the divine in
Itellgence, and, secondly, human soul sufficiently
enlightened by knowledge TO conceive it, sufficiently
cxercised in Judgment to understand tand sufficient
" free from evil to love 1t. The latter every bit
rs essential as the former. The human mind must
be enlarged that truth can enter it, and so free
from selfshness from pride, and from intolerance,
that truth may be its constant and welcome resi-
dent, to give truth passport to the souls of men
TO insure it a home and permanency in the human
heart In this respect there must be some previous
awakening and with spiritual as with scien-
tide truth of the moral and religious nature. The
great astronomical truths which pertain to the So
lar system have existed since the creation For
generations past they have been known to the learn
ed-and all the planets as they move are heralds
and torch bearers sent round by the hand of God
revo luton after revolution and age after age from
side to side, to make perpetual proclamation
through all their circuit and to light up the heav-
ems with ocular and refulgent demonstration of
their existence and yet, until their elements are all
laeoriousy taught, until our minds are opened and
made ready for their reception, these glorious truths
are blank, and for vision and joy, might as
well never have been. And so of all truths, there
must be mind enlarged, enobled purified to EN-
brace truth in all its beauty, sublimity and holiness
as well beautiful, sublime and holy truths to be
embraced. Until this is so, truth will be lighs
shining in darkness and the darkness comprehend
| ing it not. But when this shall come to pass, then
the awakened soul will exclaim with Jacob, "surey
the Lord was in this place and knew it not" Yet
alike in all lands and for centuries past ninety-nine
hundredths Of all human efforts and expenditures
have been directed to force upon the successive
generations of the young, some system which hap
pened in the particular age to be in the ascendant
and which in its turn had been prejudcsted by
falibe men to be infably true, while scarcely any
thing has been done to kinde the love of truth in
| the human breast and to train the intellect to
stre2gth, and mpartality in all investigations af
ter it.
Amid the distractions which now rend the coun-
try let me ask you as sober and rejecting ndvidu-
ais, what remedy do you propose for the present,
what security for the future? Evils are not avoid
| ed by closing our eyes against them, and in what
direction do you look for hope without confronting
disappointment or despair? VIII the great politica,
and financial problems which now agtste the
Union, ever be rightly solved and permanently
adjusted, while they submitted year after yea to
voters who cannot read nor write? Can any addi-
tional intelligence and integrity be expected in
rulers, without additional intelligence in the con-
stituency that elects them? Complain OF President
and Congress as much as you like, they are the
very men whom we, the people have chosen If
the country is an active volcano of ignorance and
guilt, why should Congress not be crater for
the outgush.ng of its lava? Let those then whose
wealth is lost or jeopardizsd by fraud or misgover
ment, let those who quake with this apprehension
for the fate of all they hold DEAR let those who be
hold and lament the desecraon of all that is holy
letrulers whose councils are perplexed, whose
plans are baffied, whose laws deied or evaded let
them al know that whatever ills they feel or fear,
are bat the jnst retributon Of q righteous heaven
for neglected childhood.
Remember, then the child whose voice first isus.
to-day before that voice shall whisper sedition in
secret, thunder treason at the head of an armed
band. Remember the child whose hand first lifts
its tiny bauble, before that hand shall scatter fire
brands, arrows and death. Remember those spor-
tive groups of youth, in whose halcyon bosoms
there sleeps ocean, as yet scarcely rufied oy the
passions, which shall heave it as with the tenn
pests strength Remember, also, teachers tha.
whatever station in life you may fn these NOR
tals-these immortals are your care. Devote, ex-
pend, consecrate yourselves to the holy work Of
their Improvement. Pour out light and truth as
God pours out sunshine and rain. No longer seek
knowledge as luxury among the few bit dispense
1t among all as the bread of life learn only how the
ignorant may learn, how the innocant may b.
preserved, the vicious reclaimed. Call down the
astronomer from the skies, call up the geologist
from his subteranean exploration, summon if need
be the mightiest intellect from the council chamber
collect whatever talent, crutliion, or eloquence
or authority the broad land supply, and 20 firth
and feach lie people. Do you ask them, fellow
teachers how far you may go in the great and re-
sponsble work. advise you all (and accept q
portion Tor myself to associate morality and reiig
lon, with every act of your lives, whetheT in school
OF out OF school, do not mean by this, that you
are to advocate any of the different creeds of issues
that are flooding our land, but that you advocate
truth as it is given from the light of revelation
our pupils must be constantly drawing wholesome
and usefll instruction, while associating with u.s.
If we would protect them from the many evils that
surround them.
Children are initiative beings, and morality and
truth can be taught successfully from example |
SIMPLY be the teacher in the strict sense OF the
term, have mind to your calling, and enter your
work with that Zeal and determination that will |
characterise you the live, energetic and christian
teacher, and your example will be as bread cast |
upon the waters to be gathered many day hence.