Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-06-21
THE COST OF KNOWLEDGE.
A Graduating Grafton delivered at the Com
mencement of the Lancaster High schoo
June rs, 1877, by Henry k0'hschtid.

1t is well before prosecuting purpose to
estimate the cost of the enterprise; this is
especially trae with reference to the pursuit
OF knowledge.
The accumulated wisdom of all ancient
times proved inadequate to the task of trans
forming the ignorance OF the dark ages into
the intellectual sunshine of the present day
During those times the acquisition of knowl-
edge was far different from what it now is
Many common place truths of the present
were then unknown. What was then discov-
cred By dint of close application and the most
searching original investigation, affords rs
now but mental recreation. Thus are We
benefited by the efforts of our predecessors
Those ersons surrounded by the most trying
circumstances, iabored successfully and by SO
doing gave proof of mans wonderful capacity
for progress and prophecy of astonishing
things yet in store for him. In those days
there were butfew learned. men, they were
obliged to labor in opposition to the people
Socrates, "the apostle OF thought" was pois-
oned for being ahead of his times. Calico,
whose name shines forth with splendor among
those whe have achieved great things, was
compelled to rescind what he had proclaimed
and what we now know to be true.
Does the studeAt ever count the cost of what
he is studying? Does he realize the hard
ships endured, the lives lost in the endeavof
to give us knowledge of Geography ? When
he speaks of the polar sea does he RENE mber
the numerous out fits lost? When his eye
rests upon the map Of Africa does he think
of Livingston and Stanleys Does he associ-
ate in his mind the immense sacrifices which
have been made In I'LL the departments OF
learning in order to expand the sphere of
knowledge to its present proportions If he
would but consider the cost of those things
how much easier would he be able to appreci-
ate their value.
Ths future is before US, We ara here not
merely to make living. In a few short years
we will be bearing the burdens of men and
women True lie, life Of responsibilities and
cares, joys and sorrows, wealth or poverty,
honor or obscuri:y, will be ours according as
we make it, How then shall We prepare
to raest the responsibilities OF such life =?
The frat great end we must obtain is knowl-
edge, education. To secure this costly OBJ.
feet we must study, study not merely for the
name Of education bht because we have a
love for it. Truth must be our object. Our
labor must be to search aud investigate be-
cause we have desire to know. We must
dive to the bottom; if we find the pearl accept
it; if the bubble, reject it.. The satisfaction
we derive from study lies not alone in the
success obtained, but in the pursuit Were
we always suece ssful, were the end easily OBJ.
tanned there would be no pleasure in study,
no stimulus. Those who persevere and gain
the end are the ones to derive the benefit.
They are genuine lovers Of knowledge.
To success, perseverance is of the greatest
Importance 1t will remove barriers which
would otherwise seem as mountains to our
course. 1t will be All aid which all persons Of
renown have used. Franklin, by his untirng
perseverance, "grasped the lightning's fiery
fluid" Without a willingness to work and an
unyielding purpose there is no use to begin.
Failures should only tell us to be on. 0bsta-
cles should only make us stronger, and as has
been truly said: "0ur greatest glory lies not
in never falling but in rising every time we
EtHi'
Ambition also takes mn active part in mans
success. Without that longing desire which
makes person feel that he must 80 onward
and upward, he can do nothing To accom-
plish this he must educate himself. The will
and the way are both found iE perseverance.
A determination to do thing generally finds
a way to do it. Our wishes are in themselves
reality if we viii TO make them so. 1t is
said of Caesar that it was his determination
and activity that won his victories
If we devote ourselves to study and expect
to succeed it will be necessary to practice
self-denial and self-reliance. The most inter
esting and susceptible part of our lives will
be taken up in the pursuit of knowledge. The
advantages that wealth and society bring do
not belong to all. We must depend upon
ourselves Self is the only true person upos
whom to rely We cannot live by the bread
that supports another. No more can we
RELY on anothers education. ''rhe winner is
he who can 20 it alone" Be determined TO
be your own help and look to no one for sup-
port. The greatest evil that befalls the young
person of to-day is waiting for something for
tunate to happen. Nature never intended
that strong healthy beings shor be reared
by clinging to others for suppors. The hlrdN
ships of life are the blessings, they teach self
reliance. The school of experience is try
Ing one, he who goes through it successfully
is the one to step forward and receive the re-
ward.
Many young persons have so many advaA-
tages that they have no energy, no will, con-
sequently il accidently thrown upon them
selves for support are sure TO fail. Wealth
and society, amusements and religion, all are
given them without one effort of labor. What
is their influence? They know not how to
appreciate them. But the person who by
perseverance and energy obtains them, will
know their value and make good their use.
at the present time to succeed in life an
education is nee assary and any person who
will not partake Of the feast is deficient in
courage. If we seek it we can find.it. Nature
in all her forms will teach us lessons of wis
dom. In our country education we all can
have. and ''in the vocabulary of earnest labor
eYs there is no such word rs fail" There news
has been time, probably never viii BIO when
men must work more faithfully to succeed
than now. When al are striving to live,
when times are hard and applicants Numerous,
aperson, in any undertaking, must be thorough.
Men Of responsibilities, qualifications, and in
tegr are the ones sought to fill RESPONSE
BILE positions To obtain that stand point we
must work. persevers and pause not, even for
a moment lest we be oyertaken by more
jealous workers.
Asa m odel after which we can follow take
the lives of our great men. Trace their his
tory from youth to old age, you will find it one
of unremitting toll and perseverance. Study
their personal characters, you will find always
a determination to conquer. When young
those very men were debarred from the
advantages we now enjoy. Bat they were
bofhd to 90 forward. They could look dam
gers in the face without wincing. They were
not ashamed to labor. Gold aud glitter had
no charms for them. And as a reward they
have left their names enshrined upon the
memories of multitudes. Their characters are
traced in the purest of marble, and their
deeds grow fresh in the minds of the race.
They have left their histories written on
monuments of fame, honor and benefeenee-
left them on monuments that viii never cram-
bic as long as the American people survive.
This proves that the knowledge we must
obtain is costly. It will cost US study and
perseverance,, energy and self-denial, years of
toll and struggle, which can be repaid only
with true education. An education which
will enable us 20 distinguish between true and
false knowledge One that will render eff
cient every power with which we are endowed.
One that will actuate US TO look beyond self
to the wants and requirements of world
around us. An education that will show US
the design Of our being and viii fit US in the
best manner possible to fulfill that design.