The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1878-01-16
MISCELLANY.
CULTUR e.
l a1s
BY REV. G. s. CONVERSE.


| There is a certain manner or bearing which
, cannot be easily defined, but is quickly recog-
nized and serves to draw marked contrast
between those who possess it and others less
fortunate in whom it has never been develop
ed. This, "what is it," Ito borrow term
from the prince of American humbugs, P. T.
Barnum) has received the name of e culture"
Without attempting the difficult task of def
nitions let us atonce proceed to few medita-
tions suggested by the theme, and loosely
thrown together,-for the time at my dispos-
al will not allow such treatment as the i'm
portance of the subject demands.
When we consult the dictionary we find
that the term culture properly denotes the
cause from which the results popularity called
culture flows. Webster defines it THE APP
plication of labor or other means, to improve
good qualities ill., or growth as, the culture
of the mind, the culture of virtue. This def
milton may serve to introduce us at once to
our first head.
How may culture be secured
The very name suggests the answer BY
cultivating You are all familiar with this
operation when applied to the soil. There is
no need of describing in q Seminary filed
with the daughters and sons of farmers, how
the earth is torn open by the plough-share,
and narrowed to receive the precious seed
how, after.the tender shoots appear, the de-
predations of animals and fowls must be
checked, the soil loosened around tender roots,
and the upstart weeds rooted out and how,
when the mellow fruit is ripened by the gen.
tie beaming of the summer sun, 1t must be
carefully garnered. All this involves toll, Ia
Dor, and effort. The ground may be the most
fertile that ever the sun shone on, but with
out labor it cannot be cultured. Labor is the
rule of culture everywhere, in the mind no
less than in the garden, in the faculties of
taste and beauty, as well as in the orchard
Everywhere there must be the preparation
for the seed, careful tending and protection of
the seed when sown, and due attention to
reap the results of labor when the crop has
ripened. a a as
This labor of culture may be bestowed on
all the faculties both of body and mind. Cul-
ture may be read in the grace of action as
we'll as grace Of speech. Whenever the great
and good Creator has bestowed power on
his creatures there may, and should be, a de-
velopment of that power
The gift is not bestowed in the funess of
its beauty. The girl cannot sing like a Jen-
ny Lin or Madame Nilsson the boy gazing
into the starry heavens may wonder and adj
mire, but cannot read their harmony and or
der like a La Place, or Newton. Cross the
sea to some of the islands Of the tropics,
where nature, in her lavish abundance, sup
plies the wants of man without labor or his
part, and you may see what those gifts uncul-
tured become. The savage burrowing in the
earth for his home, feeding on roots and her,
ries and fruits in utter ignorance not only
of the railroad, telegraph, and other triumphs
of science but even of the simplest contriv-
ances by which our wants are supplied (;
scarce knowing that there is a God, or that
he has soul That savage possesses the same
faculties that are SO freely bestowed upon you.
But in lazy idleness he has buried the talents
committed to his care, and seems nearer akin
to the brutes that perish, than to the mighty
4 men Oh lntelecJ Whoso nainee w iS'oto' - q &
Two thoughts with regard to the develop
ment of these faculties must be urged upon
your attention. First No man Or woman
has time fully to develop all his gifts. Etern-
ity itself will scarce suffice for that. | love
to think of Gods glorifed saints in heaven,
as ever making progress in this glorious work.
We know not what their powers will be, but
we have every reason to suppose that they
are learning more and more of the mysteries
of Gods grace and providence in the heetlns
cycles of the ages, and are serving Him bet
ter and better with the talents committed to
them. The wise man or woman men, VIII
select those which are the most impor'an'
and bestow labor on them.
First, the religious nature, for none car