The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-08-28
BEAUTIFUL THOUGHTs.-B !

BY S0R2fAS HAMILTON.
Thoughts are the essence Of intelu-
gence, ''and the intelligence Of the peo-
pie is the security Of the nation" When
people arouse themselves and exercise
The exalted faculty Of reason, they be
come noble beings, fit to accomplish the
purposes for which they were created.
Thoughts are great within themselves;
they are mightler than armies"
When they expand in the right direc-
tion and become strong, they ego
booming through the world louder than
cannon" Combined with principles,
they "achieve more victories than
horsemen or chariots."
OH that people would think, arouse
their minds to action and lay hold on
the plentiful food for thought that lies
hidden in every particle Of matter. Oh!
that they would draw out their thoughts
like golden threads, and weave them
into noble purposes or aims in life, that
would call out the higher and finer
qualities Of every nature. The Rev. c.
H. Spurgeon once said: "Oh that We
could wake men up to exercise the
faculty Of thinking, aud then to direct,
to regulate aud control their thoughts" }"
But thinking is an occupation that a
great many people altogether dislike.
They are frivolous. We cannot get
them to think about anything. Many
minds never get on the wing atall. Not
hands and suffer such fatigue from bod
lily labor that they are scarcely able to
think much; while there are Others who
dissipste their time and consume their
lives in idleness, till they are utterly
disqualified for any vigorous thought.
They are lazy and sluggish; they have
the dry rot in their souls; their brains
do not work; they live in one everlast-
ing lethargy and day dream. Oh that
people weTe wise - that they were
thoughtful! Thought enables man TO
unfold the mysteries OF natures imper-
ishable laws and uncover the sublime
truths Of science and art that shed forth
resplendent light, giving him the power
TO comprehend the creation, that he
may direct the forces Of all his faculties
toward some noble aim or object,
thereby securing the enjoyment and
welfare of some Of his fellow-beings,
and perpetustiog his own happiness.
He who lengthens, widens and contin-
ues to expand thought aud IFS range,
must have something to aspire TO-
something in view to reach, II he would
have peace or satisfaction.
The Rev. Spurgeon again said: "Ac-
cost any man whom you meet with,
Sir, what are you living forP He
would perhaps tell you what his trade
or what his profession might be; but il
you pressed him with the question,
What is the main object Of life?' he
would not like to say that be was only
living to enjoy himself-seekiug hi,
own pleasure-nor would he hardly like
to say that be was living to grasp anC
grab a fortune. He would hardly know
how to answer you Many young peO
pie are in this condition; they have nor
definite object" nothing to compe
them to think.
Now, all those who are in this condi.
tion ought to pause and think for a lit.
tie while about this sentence: "a little
while ago We were not in this world; g
little while hence we shall be here DC
longer" Perhaps it would arouse the
latent fire Of their souls and cause them
to think beautiful thoughts; to live and
work for some worthy motive; TO bring
out objects that are beautiful in tbs
sight Of The Creator, snd strive with al
the will and force Of their natures =,
gain them; and show themselves to he
in truth, the erowning work Of creation
If they will not be aroused, ,hen le
them open their eyes and see. T.ool
below the surface, and not one pefso,
with com sense can refrain from
thinking little; then they will thinl
little more every time they look, IN
til they are on the high road to th
richest thoughts.
There are many, yes, thousands, {
things worth living for. II peopl
would only wake, compel themselves I
think and brighten the powers Of thei
minds, and
Act, act in the living present
Heart within and God o'erhead,"
They would breathe a higher and pure