San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-06-28
BOOKS.
ESSAY READ BEFORE THE HERMEsIAN SOCIETY
OF DRIPPING SPRINGS ACADEMY,
JUNE /, 1883.

ESSAY READ BElohL
OF DRIPPING SPRINGS ACADEMY,
JUNE l, 1883.
There ia no word that conveys greater
meaning than the simple word books.
Milton says: "a good book is the precious
lifc.blood of a master spirit, embalmed and
treasured up on purpose to a life beyond. v
Books are q part of the author, for they
contain all his grand and crystalized thoughts,
and it is these that make the man. The
value of books, rs the means of an educa-
ton. is acknowledged by all men. They are
the best substitutes for teachers, better CON-
pany than many of our associates and next
TO n college, may library OF good books be
chosen II, the means of obtaining an educa-
ton.
II is said truly that q good book is a voice.
less companion and silent teacher, and that
4 large library is a virtual university.
A love for books is the greatest blessing
that the young can possess; it is the most ef-
ticient instrument of self-education, and is
the purest source of enjoyment that the world
will ever afford.
A lover of books is enabled to converse
with all the great and wise men of the past
and the present. The wisdom of the past
md the science of the present are his daily
food The orators declaim for him, and in
burning words and sentences pour forth the
treasures of their minds. The poet sings
and fills his mind with thousand beautiful
thoughts. The historian tells him long
interesting story of the world. How the
earth was created, of the fall of man, the
deluge, the advent of Savior into the
world and His plan to save mankind. He
tells how nations became great and triumph
ed for time, and were then conquered by
an Alexander or Napoleon.
Reading introduces man into the choic-
est friendships. Milton, Cicero, Webster,
Sturgeon, the wiscst, the purest and wor-
thiest of all time, are his daily companions.
What king, if denied this love for books,
cOllt DDtSU VI BULL " Id uOV
such society enrolling? 1t not only forms
this grand friendship, but gives occupation,
drives away lstlessness, excludes tempta-
ton and lightens labor. A French author
sai, he had never known any troubles that
were not frightened by an hours reading.
Ola, what power there is in reading to ban
ish sad forabodings and soothe sorrow.
Books, like men, have an influence over
the person with whom they ere found. 1t
is said by some author that books have
greater influence over the reader than his
associates. A novel subject will often have
Il greater power over tho mind of the young
than even his dearest friend. How many
good boys have been influenced through the
reading of novels, to leave gooi homes and
Try TO be like the hero of some daring nov
e.; but alas! how quick they learn that life
is real, and that they have been trying to be
Ike some object pictured only in magma
t'or and expressed in high-fown words.
''Not by companionship alone.
But by what one reads he is known"
i mans character can be judged more cor
recdy ly what he reads than the company
be- Keeps. Wouliwe suppose that who
crowds his library with Ingersolls and other
iutlels' trashy reading, to be Christian?
sometimes we are forced through poiteness
to keep company with people we do not like;
h, person chooses his books according to
b. taste.
Solomon. in the summing up OF all his
wisdom, said: ITO the making of books
there viii be no end"
Sg-ai pens and steam presses have CRAFTY
the power of production, and
railway trains hurry books to our door as
f.st n they are printed. But what has in
creased The number Of books has not in
.r,a-al mans capacity for learning. The
two loLcs OF the human brain are no larger
today tla- they were when Adam learned
las l-s. lesson in the greA; book Of nature.
Books s-s rrea. in proportion to the great
p r>, NJ .,cir author from this fact we
may r.. .h,Iy conclude that tie Bible IS the
creates. look. since It has God for its au-
l7-. AID vel may il BE called the book Of
.poE>.
Niflou. hooks jus.ic, IS dormant, let
Isl. age 7--lb. and al things are involved
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BEAxZcN GE-FFUx.
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