Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-06-21
Heart Culture.

Al admit the necessity Of cultiyaiing The
soil. No good husbandman expects success
without it, lie will tell you that everything
depends upon It. So he carefully studies its
adaptation--or want Of adaptation-to de-
sired results and he goes TO work to secure
them by renoyating aud preparing the soil,
and by using means Legitimate 10 the end
The same principles are applicable TO
mind We cultivate its pOwere, develop its
resources, and give character, breadth, tone
and symmetry TO its parts, and then we say
Of its possessor, he is a man OF culture,
simply because the intellect has been thor
oughly trained. But culture in the highest
sense is something more than this. II Is
really the cultivation and improvement Of
the whole man. Ii has reference not merely
to the intellect, but also TO the physical and
moral powers as well. 4 man is deficient
in his education who so ncglects his body as
10 impair its functions and render it unfit TO
perform its part successfully in the economy
Of life. Its connection with the mind is
such that its cultivation is essential to the
highest usefulness OF the man. A vigorous
body gives practical efficiency 10 a disci-
plned mind, while feeble constitution can
but affect it with q corresponding ieebeness.
Then the body should not be overlooked in
our education.
II is also matter Of still higher impor-
tance 10 see that the moral powers are not
neglected in our anxiety TO discipline the
intellect. All our powers should receive at
| tenton in proportion 10 their relative value.
| Far above all the rest is heart culture. The
heart should be educated as we'll As the
head and the hand but many are inclined
to neglect il until the last, or to omit it en-
/ tirely. Instead OF this, it should have the
/ first place in our attention. 1t was designed
| 10 furnish higher source Of enjoyment, and
| 10 secure a more lasting and satisfactory
/ destiny than any other part Of our nature
/ Our spiritual nature allies Us TO the Eternal,
| and if rightly cultivated, will prepare us TO
enjoy Him forever. Thou shalt love the
/ Lord Thy God" is not a needless injunction
| Il has its foundation laid deep in the neces-
| stiles Of our being, aud it is for our highest
/ interests 10 recognize and obey It,
The heart is garden to be cultivated
| and piety is plant to be nourished therein
| To be sure il is an exotic that needs to be
accimated. Indigenous plants pre-occupy
the ground, which should be uprooted and
the soil renovated 10y the favor OF God foi
the reception OF this foreign plant and when
il begins TO grow it should be cared for
Z Needeu ana nouilsheu' tl"l i'H iO'H may
strike down deep and take permanent holc
upon the fibers OF the soul, and spread it
branches abroad, so that when it shall b'
transplauted to the more congenial cline o
the better land, it shall ensure the soul
eternal felicity This exotic should be 81
cultivated that it may blossom aud matur
its fruit 1t can no more be neglected witt
inpunity than the plants in our gardens
and all the way along in Christian experience
there is just as much danger that the nativ
weeds will spring mp anew and choke it
Morning Star.