South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-05-07
Communication.
Ycr The Seth Branch Intelliesoeer.
Education Essential 70 the well.
being Of Society.

Education Essential 70 the we'll
being Of Society.
MIR. HARPER:-The word Society il
very comprehensive in its Specification.
All the nations of the world form one
great society; and this is divided into
smaller. and these smaller in their turn
subdivided into societies still less and
thus We go downfrom one degree 20 auo.
Their. until We get within the narrow linn.
ITS OF our own township or borough
These societies exist in order to secure
the peace, happiness and prosperity of
the various individuals who compose
them. Laws arc made and rules laid
down to restrain the excessive indul-
gence of our natural rights. For the
good OF the whole community, men are
compelled TO yield to each other in mod
crate degree, so that all may be comfor.
table. Thuswe fnd that It is impossi.
bic for any man to live either prohtably,
comfortably, or even safely, If he is iso-
lated from his fellows. He is one of the
members of the family. and is dependent
upon the others for all and every thing
that renders life desirable. God has
made US social beings. and has ordained
| us ministering spirits one to another
The duties and responsibilities of each
individual member of the family, in its
smallest or most subdivided form, or in
Its greatest magnitude as family of all
the known world, are many and great.
Every one has part to play in LIES
drama, which has greater or less infiu-
ence, first, upon those who immediately
surround him. and then gradually upon
all humanity. This influence pervades
everything and every person, and no one
can escape it. Therefore, in order that
we may do our duty faithfully. in the
var GUS positions to which we are assign.
ed, we must know what to do. and how
to do it.-Teaching US this, is what Ed.
ucation strictly means. Alas! we are
far behind the Ancients, even in moral
training. Men in our own county live
only to bid defiance to the laws Of God
and our commonwealth-prof Sab
bath-breakiny, drunkenness and the host
OF other wickedness uncomfortable, are
being tolerated by our better citizens
Education may be divided into two great
heads intellectual and Religious. The
advancement of the one almost necsssa-
rily implies advancement in the other.
The education Of the intellect of a man
results as follows: 1t teaches him his
superiority over the brute creation, and
the various uses to which he NAV apply
1T; it gives him information of all i'm.
provements in the mechanical arts since
the foundation of the world; it imparts
an extended knowledge of agriculture,
science, literature and the fine arts; it
acquaints him with the manners, customs
and habits of men whom he has never
seen, and countries which he has never
visited; by 1T he is enabled to look back
Through the long history of the past,
aud, judging from it. to determine what
Is expedient In the present; he is also
made tn understand human nature, how
TO touch the secret springs of human &C
ton; 1T informs him what the wants of
his fellows are, and how best to provide
for them; it fits him for every field of
labor in which he may be placed. His
education shows him how he may work
IN every individual instance to the best
possible advantage. In short, persons
invariably WELD an influence in society,
either for good or evil, in proportion as
their intellects are educated. However,
the education of the intellect is not suf.
| icient OF itself,-for It's influence may,
and as often Is, directed for accomplish
ment of bad as good objects
This brings us to tho other part of the
subject, and that is Religious Educa.
ton. This Is what makes man truly
useful for good and holy purposes in So
ciety, teaches him TO abhor low, deerad-
ing associates, those who would drag
him down to their own vile haunts and
destroy him, soul and body, for time and
eternity. But the education of his youth
protects him he bears, perhaps, faith
ers prayer. or sees n mothers tears,
Enough many miles distant they NAV
be) An inward voice of early instruc.
ton whispers, "Go not in the path of
evil men-avoid it-turn from it He
Is saved All their persuasions have no
effect. lie presses onward. and ever up
ward, still bearing in bis heart that i'm.
perishable legacy, early Religious Educa-
ton. The principles Of religion and vir-
tue must be instilled into youth by d.
grees, ia such measure as they are capa-
bIe OF receiving them, for children are
narrow mouthed vessels,a great deal
! cannot be poured toto them at once
When we contemplate what man is, what
an amount of veal or woe he is calcula-
ted TO spread throughout the world, we
then realize the importance Of early train.
ing the mind to noble and lofty aspira-
tons, uprooting and checking those has
ser feelings which are inherent in our
sinful natures, intoxicating such truths as
will TT him for an humble artizan. or as.
sist him to fll conscientiously one Of the
proudest stations in the land MAY
True education spread throughout the
world may 1t be properly understood
and appreciated, and may the choicest
blessings descend upon it in all it's forms.
Especially the Common School System.
OCCASIONAL.
FROM TIE QUAKER CITY.