Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-12-06

Has marked the giant oak forever"
When we look at the river as it flows
through our village widening and plough.
ing its channels, we think of the tinv
rivulet trickling down the mountain side,
winding in its lower banks, and, here and
there. other wanderers contributing to it
until it is what we behold it to day.
When we see the beauteous oak with its
spreading limbs, we think of the popular
school boy declamations, and say with
him, tall oaks from little acorns grow"
When we gaze on the brick walls of
some fine mansion. We think of it as q,
brick by brick, ccmented into its present
form.
When we observe the rich field with its
golden burden of corn. we think of it as
the product of the small kernels.
And, in broader sense rs we contem-
plate Vermont with her advanced people
and industry, our minds turn to her carly
history. We think of her ms uncultivated d
and comparatively unpeoplcd. And we
can almost catch a glimpse of the Indian
as he steers his bark canoe over the water
We think of her as the New Hampshire
Grants" and behold her in all the trying
scenes connected with her history, We see
her as she rises from her obscurity and
note her as she stands TO day among the
first states of the union. All this change
was created by the litle band of men who
peopled her fair borders and promoted
her progress. They were excited by a
love of advancement and each did the
lille things which contributed 10 her pro.
gress.
In our relations with the world how the
conditions of our minds are changed by
the expressions and acts of friends and
acquaintances.
Nothing seems to modify our impulse
or form our character so much as little
things.
Often an unstudied remark will awaken
ideas in the minds of others and asss
them to establish themselves rs they
should.
Not unfrequently "a word ftly spoken,
carries conviction 10 the heart, and open;
the eyes of the understanding, causing
man to know that there is a dividing line
between the righteous and the wicked.
When we consider the lives of grea
men we find that, as the poet says, "lhC
noblest works that men have done, have
sprung from little MingS."
We see the apple as it falls on the hoaC
of young Newton, and the law of gravita.
ton is explained.
We see Fulton when Il lad as he sits by
the stove, and the teakettle is humming
we see the lid fly off, and the boy jumps
| from his chair clapping his hands, ant
the power of steam is displayed.
We see another rs he flies his kite in The
breezy air of summer, and we call hin
Franklin.
And thus the inventions and discoveries
come by little things.
An understanding of small mysteries
opens the thought for the compreh ensiol
of larger ones.
How necessary it is that our live
should indicate that the little talents ant
privileges have been improved.
1t is related of town which leans tha
one brick was at its base wrongly cement
ed, and the whole construction wa
changed from a proper position.
Let us not be leaning towers, but comen
the attributes of virtue in a right mode.
May we live as Shakespeare says, "il
deeds, not words, in thoughts, not i.
figures on dial May we do the worl
which God has given US to do, so tha
when death is swalled in victory ther
shall fall on our ears this message, "Wel
done, good and faithful servants; yor
have been faithful over q feU MingS, am
l will make you rulers over many