Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-19
SeIf-CuIture.

| Knowledge Of books is a desira bI
thing but Goes not meet the great want
of self-culture. In promoting self Gull
ture We must consider our three natures,
| their degree of importance standing in
the order named the moral, the physical,
and the Intellectual. To make man the
being he was intended to be when God
created him, each of these three natures
nus5 be thoroughly trained and cultiyat-
/ ed. These are so intimately connected
with each other in the formation of man
that If either one is neglected it is to the
| injury of the entire man. Take speci-
men picture OF some noted painter; in
this different colors are blended. Sup
| pose in this admirable painting all the
important coloriDgs are thoroughly exc
cuted except one and it was Imperfectly
done or had since been merred. In such
case the beauty of that otherwise spIen-
did painting would be utterly spoiled
From the fact that coIors are SO init
| mately connected in a painting, it fol-
lows that if one is imperfectly done it
shows a glazing defect, and the effect OF
the painting is ruined. just so if man
ignores himself and negleots to properly
care for one Of these pre-emiuently i'm
portant natures in his organization; and
Ii B-O AOiS-- 90 liO hSS4ECtS O4I0 OF ulOES
of these natures to that extent will the
great beauty of his manhood be spoiled
AID bv extreme neglect of one or more
of these, as painting may be made dis
tasteful 20 the eye, man may make him
self the most horrible object under the
light of the sun.
The physical body is the abode Of the
moral and intellectual natures; hence. if
it is imperf act, these inmates will suffer
through its exposure however much we
may strive to cultivate them. In such
case we must fail in great measure. An
unhealthy body spoils the entire man.
1t behooVes US, therefore, to be extreme
ly careful and temperate in the use of
our physical nature. man without
morals is an uRcouth monstrosity; he
shrinks from all that is pure, and his
deeds will not bear the light OF day.
Such are the inmates of the state prisons;
such are the patrons of the gallows; and
such are the patrons of all the dens of
evil. They are the bile of the hu-
man race and just as ruinous to society
as the poisonous water that leaks into the
bilge Of ships is to the mariners. These
positions certainly are not alluring to any
who has ever fairly tasted of the fruits of
moral life. The evils of the day must
be trampled down or the human race will
suffer yet greater untold evils. The
truth that moral life is essential to and
yields the greatest happiness, must be
made to pierce the hearts of all mankind.
man of good morals, though OF I'M
healthy body and uncultured mind, will
attract admiration and respect wherever
he may be. But suppose the physical
and intellectual natures perfect in a man
without morals, if such can be, he is met
| with loathing and contempt On every
hand by all that is good aud pure. We
find the moral is the important nature of
man. In almost every instance a good
moral nature gives healthy body. The
| Importance of strict moral culture is ap-
parent.
Intellectual culture is also necessary to
place man in his rightful position, hut by
no means SO important as the moral and
physical natures; yet each of these
three men ought absolutely to use his ut
most endeavor to improve. What a grand
and noble picture the human race would
make if all would use the means placed
within their reaoh. Gould not many be
induced to make greater efforts? and
many that have never begun, could not
they be induced to begin an effort filed
with such promises?