New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-06-18
GRAFTON BY PROF. JAMES sT0RljM,
wAvlAHD SUMMARY. WASHINGTON, o. c.,
At the CONNIE enc ment OF storer COLLEGE,
Harper's Ferry, Virgins.
Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:

Mr.. President, Ladies and Gentlemen:
In response to the kind invitation of the
Lincoln Debating Society," am here to
do my humble part on this pleasant occa-
sion.
This occasion is fraught with very great
interest to me because it brings fresh to my
memory many pleasant "reminiscences. But
few years ago it was my pleasure to 60 in
and out among you. and, although my stay
was short, yet it was very pleasant. Sur
rounded by this most magnificent landscape,
and this most beautiful sceneryas it stretches
out before us in all its grandeur and SUBJ
Unity, and hearing the gentle murmuring of
thoughts are turned heavenward, and from
our inmost soul we thank God for tn beau
tiful world in which He has placed us, and
we are led to eXclaim, SLOW marvellous are
thy works Lord, God, Almighty" And
then, too, we remember that this place is of
historic renown. 1t was here, amid these
noble hills, that the first blow at American
slavery was struck by that noble man who
became the first martyr for the cause. The
tocsin of war was sounded, and the struggle
was long, fearful, and deadly; and to-day
we are enjoying the glorious results Of that
terrible ordeal. On account of this gratitude
and almost ecstatic pleasure well up within
us. What glorious transition! From a
slave to a freeman from the auction-block
to the school-house from the plantation to
the Senate of the United States. Why should
we not be grateful? Why should we not
rejoice since the Lord has done so much for
us? she hath not dealt so with any ma
tl0n." have come to you to-day not be-
cause have acquired reputation as public
speaker, nor because l have confidence in
my ability to interest you, but rather, if pos
sible, to encourage and to inspire you with
higher incentives. No more interesting an
audience can greet a speaker than the one
before me, composed largely as it is of young
ladies and gentlemen, in all the vigOr OF
manhood and womanhood, struggling to OBJ
tain an education, and to SO develop their
mental and moral powers that they shall be
the better able to meet the stern realities Of
life. If, in the course of my remarks, | shall
drop a thought which will lead you to greater
effort, nObler aims, and higher and grander
achievements, shall have accomplished all
that l could have hoped for.
TRUE CULTURE.
The word culture is derived from the Latin
verb colo, meaning to till, as the ground, to
bestow labor upon, to study. Webster de-
fines the word thus: The application OF
labor or other means to improve good quail
ties IN. Thus, with thorough understand
ing of the word, we will be able to see its
application and its bearing upon what may
say.
The farmer, who would reap an abundant
harvest, must use all the means within his
reach that will produce a large return. He
must understand the nature Of the soil, and
be acquainted with fertilizers best adapted
to it. The successful farmer tolls inces-
sanity, so that his efforts may not be fruit
less. The soil yields all manner of produc-
tons, yet some bring forth more copiously
Of one kind than Of another. Climate has
an effect upon the kind, quality, and guam
tity of the fruit. Before the earth yields a
plenteous harvest it undergoes a deal OF
blowing, narrowing, and fertilizing. At first
it may appear incapable of producing any
thing, but, after patient toll and waiting,
the harvest comes at last. AS the ground
must be prepared by blowing and grubbing
to bring forth fruit, so also must man be pre-
pared by toll before he can bring forth men,
tai or moral fruit. The soil is not made pro-
ductive in a day, neither do men produce
great results save by unrequiting toll.
1t is true that there is plant which springs
up in night, but it is not substantial, and
is void of taste, color, and beauty. Spas
modic achievements of the mind are, like the
mushroom, only creatures of the moment,
void of solidity, and without endurance.
The tilling of the field does not consist in
merely putting the seed in the ground and
waiting the result, but rather in utilizing all
the means best adapted to secure a large
return-frut we'll developed and beautiful to
look upon. True culture does not consist in
merely filling the mind with knowledge, nor
in being well-versed in science and literature
but it does consist Of a well-stored intellect
and beautifully rounded character from
which spring honesty. temperance, industry,
devotion to duty, and all those noble quail.
ties which are indicative OF pure and up
right character.
Wealth and station are potent auxiliaries
in securing mental culture when properly
employed, yet, by misuse, they prove bar.
rer. Culture, you remember, is synonymous
with labor, toll, exertion. Hence, to pos.
sess well-trained mindcalls for work, effort
sacrifice. One may be a genius, he may dis.
play wonderful powers, but, unless it be
cultivated and properly utilized, it is liable
to prove abOrtive. Steam is a useful anC
powerful agent, and when employed, in &C.
cordance with certain laws, propels oul
mammoth ships over the boundless deep
freighted with the productions of the world
or speeds the iron-horse with lightning
rapidly across the continent, but, if it be moi
properly controlled, it is useless and often
very dangerous.
Great achievements are not brought abou
| without very great effort. The means EN-
| ployed from which great results follow arc
often simple and ordinary. The histories o
men who have made their lives and labors
blessing to the world teen with proof;
that from small things great results have
ensued. From the falling of an apple New
| ton found the mighty force that holds thu
universe in its place. Men, humble in life
have. by dint of their own eXertions, wrough
| great changes, brought about great revOlu
| lions, turned the world upside down, and W.
| o-day revere their names and call then
! blessed.
This era and land are auspicious, and ar,
particularly adapted, it seems, for whole
some and complete growth. 1t has been lief
to us to grow upon the same soil minds o
profound theoretical turn, and also minds o
practical acumen, united with a true mora
development. We may be cultured men
tally, but unless our moral nature is wei
cultivated, we lack the most essential par
of ''true culture" ''The connection between
the moral and intellectual culture is Otter
overlooked, and the former often sacrifice,
to the detriment of the latter. ''Seek frs
the kingdom of God and its righteousness
and all other things shall be added to you,
has greater force than many men of tn
world imagine. ITO develop the religion
principle is eminently to educate ourselves
The true idea of God. unfolded clearly an
livingly within US, and moving us to ador
and obey Him, and to aspire after a Likeness
to Him, is the noblest growth in humanity
and may add in celestial natures.
Every age has been peculiar in its kind {
culture. Greece, for its DEVELOPMENT {