The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1893-03-25
Reflections for Family Reading.
March 1911.

People are known by their words
Just as trees by their fruits. Therefore
it is that, if we would be apprised Of
the nature and quality of any one, let
him but discourse, for a while, and he
will disclose them to US better, than
another can describe them We may
therefore perceive how proper it is, tos
those to hold their tongues, who would
not discover the shallowness of THEN,
understandings, and the circumscribe'i
limits of their information. 1t is con
monty said that, empty vessels make
the greatest noise and that the deepes
waters are the most silent. 1t is Il
true observation that those who ale
weakest in understanding-least in
formed, and slowest of apprehension,
are often the most prompt and
precipitate in uttering their crude con
ceptions. AS those who freely enjoy
the advantages of education are in Il
condition to see and appreciate these
facts, it is correspondingly incumbent
on them to exert themselves in we'll
directed efforts to instruct those who
are illiterate. To aid in the establish
ment Of common schools, and make
them easily accessible to the poor.
Useful information generally diffused,
can do more to build people up and
strengthen the government, than all
| that taxes can do without it.
knowledge is wealth and power and
it is lamentable that people do not
generally understand and work mp to
t.
March Goth.
The practical Importance of re-
visions, demands attention, and parti-
cularly from the yOnng. 1t is frequent
ly the case that we finish an article,
and fancy it is complete in its parts
but on carefully revising it, we seldom
fail to discover our mistake. In re-
yising we not only gather up the
fragments of what we had omitted
forgotten, but refresh our minds with
reproduction of what we previously
had learned. By reviewing our studies,
we often find the materials with which
to overcome difficulties, that scenes
almost insurmountable hence revisioDs
frequently serve as key to unlock
the casket, >that contains invaluable
treasurers. Aud right here many
stumble into the error of suppOsnG
that, principles in a book are all that
is necessary. The student reader
should bear in mind that, however full
the book may be of principles-they
can do the student good, only as he
feels and understands them. For un'
less they are felt and understood by
the mind, and through the body are
reduced to practice, they are as far as
the mere reader is concerned, value
less and dead.
Seeing food or thinking of it will dc
no good-impart no nourishment to the
body it must be eaten, digested and
appropriated. God has 80 ordained al
things that labor is the price of rea
enjoyment.
March 2lst
1t is we'll in us to trust to Providence
in our worldly pursuits because it il
very certain that we can accomplish
nothing useful and proper, contrary tt
Gods will with reference to it, or, i
we do it., in the long run it is very ap
to come to naught. III gotten gain
it is said are hard to keep, and there
fore it is that honesty is the best polio.
in everything we do. But whilst it j
we'll for US to look to Providence, WI
must not forget that it is CO existing
ly important that we should exert our
selves. We are told in the best Q
books-the book, that Paul may plant
and Apollo water, but the Lord give
the increase. 1t is expected of US tina
we exert ourselves. This is one of th
prime objects of our existence, in fac
it is necessary consequence imposed
on all of our race, as penalty for or
iginaI sin. God helps those who he'll
, themselves. Should we let our ham
lie in the ice it is highly probable Prov
dence will ordain it to be frozen o
! if we hold it in the fire, to be burnt
t These who go Il, sea, Providence vii
| sometimes permit to be drowned, thos
on the other hand who never leave dr.
t land, Providence will not suffer to per
isll in the sea. Hence it is said. hel
yourself an,l hearen will help yor
. History info Ills ia that, God has help
ed us from he beginning! His wor
i is complet, yea perfect. With man
3 now remains as a free agent, to d
, whatever is to be done, in oil matter
concerning his temporal, world
, affairs. As to these, we may be goo
or bad, wise or foolish Let Il
!, endeayor to bs good and wise, eve
relying on Divine aid and guidance
-, for God alone is the pillar of Cloud b
day and of fire by night, to lead t
through the wilderness of this, Ou
= sinful life.
March 22nd
t Whoever has atter,ively me,;itate &
e on the progress Of the human rae,
e cannot fail to discern, that there
# now spirit of inquiry amongst mel
0 which nothing can stop, or contro
n Criticisms, denunciations and eve
d prosecutions, will be in vain. The
: may embitter opposition and epgendt
}. violence, but they cannot abate tt
i keenness of research.
There is silent march of thougE
which no power can arrest, and whlc
it is not difficult to foresee, will
d marked by important events. Maj
e kind were never before in the situatio
d in which they now stand. The Pre-
o has been operating upon them f
r several centuries with an infuen'
n scarcely perceptible at its commenc
d ment, but by daily becoming mo
: palpable, and acquiring accelerate
b force it is rousing the intellect
n nations and happy will it be for theI
y if there be no interference with Il
e natural progress of knowledge; and