The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1874-10-06
Written for The Spirit Of Democracy.]
Mental CultivallOn.

Mental cultivation IS one OF the great.
est privileges bequeathed to man. Da-
con asserts that "nental pleasures never
cloy unlike those of the body, they are
increased by repetition, approved by re-
Election, and strengthened by enjoy
ment." The great barrier which hinders
the cultivation of the mind is to be igno-
rant of the subject which should be sue,
cessfully handled and thoroughly mas
tered. The incentives which incite or
provoke the mind to delve into the un-
solved problems or make long and wea-
risome researches for some undiscover-
ed principle are numerous and varied
We need to know but little, or nothing
scarcely, Of our natural ignorance to
prompt US to toll with vigorous exertions
to cultivate the mind with which we have
been endowed. The lsbors of an uncul.
tivated mind are as fraitless as the sands
of the Sahara, for where there is no soil
there can be no products. For the mind
to be uncultivated is certainly great
misfortune, and that this is being realiz-
ed by more than many would suppose
appears evident from many considera-
tons. Under the circumstances with
which we are surrounded, to be igno-
rant, or to be lookt i upon by others las
being ignorant,is painful in the extreme.
God has placed within US desire for
mental cultivation, and to lay up in the
mind great stores of mental wealth-to
tail to carry this desire into effect would
be a failure in one of the objects for
which human beings were created. A
sense of duty is a strong incentive and
we'll founded reason for mental cultiva
ton. That God has willed that man
should improve the mind with which he
has been endowed by means of his own
exertions, crowned with the blessings Of
heaven, is doubtless conviction ofma.
ny; and such conviction prompts the
Accomplishment of the procrastinated
work Of ages Heaven has not revealed
to man, perhaps, all the reason for the
compliance with duty though enough
has been revealed by one who is the
giyer of all good gifts to prompt as to
Will dUu W uO tuoo WuiCu VuGy uCuouoo'
The cultivation of the minds immense
powers is the greatest source of true
pleasure. To dclve into the sciences, to
become familiar with the languages, both
ancient and modern, to study mind in its
ever varying development, to look over
the annals Of past time-these all sum
mon US to action that will and must pre-
vail. A preparation by discipline OF
mind in this manner,t to act well our part
in the great drama Of life,and to live for
|life's great purpose. calls for increased
energy to efforts which before we're suf-
Scient intellectual power combined
with the other requisites to make full
man, enable the possessor to enter with
greater probabilities of sure success the
avenues Of usefulness which lead on to
that which is the height of his ambition
The results of mental cultivation have
to the world proven blessing instead
Of being the worlds whitening curse
while, the Impressions made on the mind
are not waited away as the fading flower
before the chilly blast, but are impres
sions enduring as life or even as lasting
as eternity. JAMES A. WATSON.