The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1872-08-30
FOR THE MARIETTA JOURNAL.
WHAT IS THE OBJECT OF HUMAN
LIFE
Am ESSAY Submitted to the young.

from the lower orders Of the animal
creation. The inferior animals olive
more and have their being" compar-
ativeIy unmindful of the circum-
stances that surround them, or the
consequences naturally arising there
from, without any knowledge or con-
Germ of future development or des-
tiny. They are this naturally, hence
are adapted to the ends Cor which
they are designed.
Man upon the other hand, being
endowed with his mysterious fac
ulties-of thought and reflection
capable of anticipating the coming
results of transporting causes, and al
they impress the mind, he infers al
indication of impending good Or i'm
pending evil. He is much concern
ed about the occurrences of life ant
tendencies thereunto belonging. III
has the faculty of Judgment and the
consequent appreciation and enjoy
ment, or disappointment and unhap'
piness. Man is as we'll feagJuly as
a0Oadevully made. He is the sub
ject of mental emotion--strong pas
sions that almost make up the sum
total of his felicity or misery. Troub-
les vex and confuse, whilst pleasures
produce joy and peace. He recog-
Misses that which occasions them,
and learns the import of the mani
festations of gladness and as well the
tears and lamentations Of distress.
From observation and experience he
finds that he is subject to the muta-
tons of time and materially inhuen>
ced by changes that occur. Like
the mariner he watches with anxious
constant gaze the rejecting horizon
of mind, studies the images thereon
depicted and rejoices when instead of
brooking the opposing winds of adj
versity they but help to float his
tickle barque to some desired haven
thus substituting for his vacillating
faith and hope blessed reality. These
reflections though imperfect and brief
may serve to give us an idea ofman's
nature. Recognising the philOsophic
fact that nature is governed by IN
flexible laws, we are convinced that
mind should govern man, = that de-
sirable circumstances are not the re-
suit of adventurous Occurances, but
are brought about by sensible guild
ance, discretion, circumspectior
and policy,--that mans life differ
ent from that of the brutes is pro
gressive,-that while we possess the
attributes of the lower orders, we also
have those of higher relationship,
and are in fact the connecting link
between creation and God.
Man in action, has FESTIVE spir-
it, is not, and cannot be, content
with the mere qualification of animal
wants, but signs for something h'gh-
er and better. He has naturally an
aspiration. Animal wants present
not material enough for constant en-
ployment. If mere safety is the
mans sole design, he is an object of
pity, and is a specimen of perverted
nature. Health of body and mind
are placed in fatal jeopardy, and the
last days of his pitiful miserable exc
ing probation startle him with keen
perception of the fact that his life is
a failure. Instead of maintaining
the dignity of his constitutional en-
dowments he has stepped to the ave-
eaten of swine.
We have seen that there exists a
distinctive difference between man
and all other creatures. His perma-
nent superiority is evident and the
only sensible inference is that his
aims should correspond. What
should these aims be. What is the
object of human lifes. If we have
not misinterpreted natures facts, If
our reasoning is not falacious, mans
duty consists in the development of
his mind and the formation of his
character,-such as is defined to be
"the expression, the utterance of the
soul in the daily and hourly life."
Good character belongs to the man
whose habits and dealings and ex-
ample before others are such as will
commend him to trust and cnfidence
in any and all vicissitude, and it can
only be established by a thorough
cultivation of the virtuous and NOR
al capacities of the heart. This is
life long progression and richly sell
remunerative work and is the only
one which commends itself-in the
face of reason and nature. To per-
form it man must perform all the du-
ties that devolve upon him as assign
ed by an educated conscience. Make
this noble and enobling purpose your
mark and aim; let the high re-
solves which animate and move you
be in strict accordance Herewith
Let not the vexations, petty wants
and selfish purposes which may OPP
pose detract from your efforts, and
as you grow in knowledge, in hal.
lowed harmonizing wisdom, you will
experience in this life the solid
sweets of progressive virtue and
approving Heaven"
SOCRATES.
Elm Shade, PoaOder Spring, august 18th.
Providence, it has been aptly said