The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1879-04-09
MISCELLANY.
KNo WLEDGE A MEANS oFsUooEss

Essay read before the Hyperion Society of the Semi
nary at Ringoes, N. j. BY VIM. BELLS, Jrl
/
The tendency of this American age is to
make speeches, verbose and fluent but super
opera to one unskilled in the science of music,
combination of sweet sounds at the expense
of ideas, thrill, sensation passing with the
moment. You sit by Yourself, and think, what
has been said that can use !? what that can
make part of myself what new thoughts
have been suggested what new facts devel-
oped You are conscious that something was
beautiful and harmonious, but what it was
you can not tell. The great want is knowl-
edge. Young Americans are endowed with
imagination and volubility, but too impatient
are they to delve deep in the mines Of know
ledge. Confident of winning success unas-
sisted, they will not stop to gather the facts
that lie within their reach. They spend few
years of their boyhood in preparing their
minds to receive knowledge and, thinking
they are full, straightway mount the rostrum
to give the world the benefit of what they
know, and SO march straight to fame. Is 1t
any wonder they fail Is it any wonder that
America while she has takers wherever list
eners can be found while she has lecturers,
seeking audiences all over the country, has
produced but few great men |
The lips of the great us~- peak knowledge
His mind is SO richly stored with information
that be can draw from 1t treasures adapted to
every circumstance and every occasion. He
sends us away with facts ON which to ponder
and grow WISER He leaves his impress upon
the life. He wakes the slumbering intellect
and the thoughts go reaching out after truth,
as the roots fibres shoot out to find the food
which they send upward into the sapling, lift
ing it higher and higher till after while the
fruit appears. Style may not be too highly
cultivated. Language, never too well chosen ;
oratory, never too nearly perfect. But what
is it all, unaccompanied with information
fresh and important
Agazzis is dead but the knowledge, which
cost him busy lifetime of careful study, is
the worlds rich legacy, and his work is an
abiding success. Long will 1t be before the
name of Agazzis will be oblterated from his
tory. just as atheism, was proudly rearing
its head and threatening to take away our
Father God, and materialism would develop
man from a floating atom, in plain, brief
words, he brings to bear upon the develop
ment chain, his superior knowledge, breaks
it wide asunder, strengthens the trembling
foundations of our faith that man is new
creature, breathing the breath of God, stamp
ed with his image, aud destined to choose
sweet, perfect union with him. So 1t is that
knowledge Is power" Men neglect it at
their peril. There is no permanent success
without it. Are you public speaker? The
best preparation for speaker, says the best
of speakers, is an inexhaustible fund Of know
ledge. Are you lawyer? Every bit Of in
formation is valuable timber that will just fit
somewhere, the want of which will damage
your reputation and your client. Whatever
our calling, If we would battle successfully
with life, we must worship constantly at the
shrine of Minerva, who sprang full armed
from the brow of Jupiter.