South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-04-16
Communication.
True EducafioD and Its Results.
CONTINUED.
Fer the South pr.neb rutelrieenerr.

CONTINUED.
Fer the South Branch lntelIigeneer.
ME. IlAurER lin order 10 apprc.
ciatc. In any degree the advantages Of n
true education, VIC must cndeavor 10
form something Of an idea, OF the value
OF the human mind. We are tol,l that
. man has an immortal mind THAT after
We shall have passed through the scenes
OF this transitosy life, and countless ages
OF eternity shall have rolled over our
heads. our thoughts and feelings are no
nearer ut nm end, than they we're nj the
moment Of our birth. This world Is. rs
il we're, but Q mere ante-room, where We
stop for . while 70 make preparations,
for being initiated into tho mysteries
Of another, and . moro glorious state OF
existence. In this worh We learn hut
6rst principles. We, as IL we're, merely
pass through oar Accidental course
preparatory TO entering upon the more
arduous duties or our collegiate course
In another life. Hence il is obvious,
that the principal object OF an education.
Is TO prepare M for q proper reception
in tue world or Spirits. Before wo can
enter that world, and mingle with
its inhabitants, VIC must acquire relish
Tor their employments, and some nc
quaintance with the objects. which form
the subject OF their sublime investiga-
tions, otherwise we could feel no en-
joyment in the society o. heavenly in.
telligenccs. anil the exercises in which
perform in this lie. AMI tho knowledge
we gain here. are merely so many me-
teors. to light us to our future homc.--
But il oil knowledge Of future world
had been denied US, il man had no hopes.
no aspirations beyond the present life,
there wonld be no excuse for remaining
in ignorance. A sound understanding.
a correct judgment. vigor of mind, con.
troll over tho passions. and strong and
active boiy. are indispensable to pros
perity and happiness in this life. Past
an present experience, fully proves
this assertion. Study the history of
Ancient nations; ascertain by what me.
thods they were founded - the steps by
which. many OF them, rose to that exal.
tctsspitCh OF grandeur, We so much AL
true fame and glory. and the cause OF
their declension and fall We see nj
once, that they were at their great est
height Of prosperity and honor, when
tho principles OF virtuous education
were applied To the institutions OF their
government. Their greatness began TO
wane, when knowledge and virtue, those
elements Of greatness, began TO wane
and they fell, with n tremendous crash
when those elements were exchanged
for the sword aud battle axe; when ed.
ucated mind gave place to ignorance
land superstition when tho name phi.
ianthropist" was exchanged for that of
''warrior," and when their young were
educated in the school OF infamy. in
stead Of yirtue and truth.
The great and good VIM. Penn, ap.
propriately remarked that. chat which
makes good constitution, must keep
it, viz: Men OF wisdom and virtue, -
qualities that, because they descend not |
with worldly inheritance, must he care
fully propagated by virtuous education |
of youth" Go, ut the present dav. TO |
countries where they know not the bless. |
ings OF knowledge. where the day OF
wisdom has never dawncd. What hor-
lar form OF government; human life not |
regarded; men, instead OF offering up |
their dcvotions, at the shrine or the true |
and the living God, continually prostra
ting themselves before images of wood |
and stone. All is anarchy AMI confu-
sion. Education dissipa'es superstition. |
True Eiucsiion is never ont or place /;
though perhaps, ono who designs to lead |
the life of farmer, will tell us, that to
learn to read. write and cipher, is sufIl
cient for him. This is sal mistake. |
The farmer should be a well-read man.
lie should ut least be able 70 anaiyze |
his soil, that he may determine the kind |
OF grain, to which its nature is best a
dapted An educated mind can better !
guile the pillow. or WELD the spade and
hoe. Our hard working farmers have
been styled one OF the strongest props
OF the nation. Hence their minds should
be we'll stored with useful knowledge.
The duties or no occupation or profess
ion can be successfully discharged with
ont the al OF an education. Yet strange
as it may seem, there are those who will
scoff at the idea Of a thorough education,
remarking that it will make rascals OF
people. On the contrary. IL is just what
will prevent them from becoming such.
Again. TO prove that knowledge is OF no
avail, they will point to men who grace
lofty ranks Of honor and renown, and
who have come up as they will inform
you. with scarcely n common school cd.
q ~.