Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1895-06-23
HElNFLUENcEoFBOo
Prof MoLsan's Advice to Both
Ola and Young.
JuAss . Maa By wha. a. RsAAs-rhs
Power sf CoaeentrAtioa L. Nsess-
cary 70 All who Dssirs 60
Ne Cultured.

pany he keeps, for there is u compan-
ionship OF books as well as of men, md
one should always live in the best com-
pany, whether It be of books Or men.
All dangerous, useless, i~rreligious,
trashy and sensational books should be
avoided, says the Jewish Messenger,
not only as a sinful waste Of time, but
because such reading Is ~demoralizing
to the taste for fine culture. Such
works are the poison weeds in the field
of literature.
Ignorance is the curse of God;
knowledge the wings wherewith we fy
to heaven knowledge cannot be
stolen from us. 1t cannot be u
chased n sold. We may be insolvent,
and the sheriff may come and sell our
effects and leave us both homeless and
penniless, but he cannot lay the laws
hand upon the jewelry of our minds.
Endcavor to accumulate n choice and
well.selected library, and add to it con.
stantly- as fast rs your circumstances
will permit. Money spent for good
books Is always well spent, and the in
vestment will afford more profit, com.
fort and improvement than any other
possibly a n Books introduce us into
the best society; they by their perusal
bring us into the presence of the great.
est minds that have ever lived. we
have what they said md did, we par
ticipate in their thoughts, their expe.
rience becomes ours, and we feel as II
they were onr friends.
Genius is q rare gift, but every man
has talents of some kind, and all NAV
acquire tact. Most Of what men call
genius Is a talent for hard work. No
greatness was ever acquired without
patient, persistent and well-directed
labor.
The superficial person who has a
sm%attering Of so many things, but
knows nothing we'll, may pride himself
upon his gifts, but the wise man hum
bly, confesses, like Newton, that he has
only been engaged in picking shells
upon n shore, while the great ocean
of truth extends itself all unexplored
before him.
The most efficient culture of all re.
solves itself into self-culture. The edu.
cation received at school and college Is
but a beginning, and Is mainly valu-
able in SO far that it trains us In the
habit OF continuous application and
facilitates self-education after a def
mite plan and system. Economy of
time is us necessary to the student as to
the business man. Take an inventory
OF your time a. you would of your
capital, in order hat you may invest It
wisely. Lay aside n certain number of
hours every day for regular study and
reading.
II Is only by meditation that n man
can understand himself. Yet all other
knowledge without this is splendid To-.
norance. Close examination will be REQ.
ulsite Tor the forming of q true opinion
Oh ones own powers, temper and dis.
position. Ignorance and s~elf-conceit
tend to make us overrate our persona,
ability. Common sense is defined ne
sound practical judgment; the PROMPT
decision of imperverted reason. n Is
practical wisdom applied to everyday
affairs. The possession of sound com.
MOI sense is a rare and valuable gift,
ana can only be acquired by thorough
seif'knowledge and judicious mental
culture.
Moral and intellectual philosophy ia
not only q useful and practical study,
ou 1t nffords n valuable means OF high
culture and mental development. II
.eaehes the principle of sound reason
ing n enables the student to cultivate
those habits Of correct thought which
are as necessary to success in life.
However, by attempting too many
STUDIES the'student incurs the risk OF
becoming superficial, and by devotiug
100 much time to n single study he
must neglect others The chief object
OF mental culture Is not merely to fill
n mind with other mems thoughts
and to he the passive recipient of their
Impressions OF things, but TO enlarge
our individual intelligence and render
us more useful and efficient workers in
our sphere of life.
To study effectively the mind must
be concentrated on It's work. Make Il
the first object to be able to fax and
hold your attention upon v our studies.
He who can do this has mastered many
difficulties, and he who cannot do Il
will never succeed MS n student. The
most profitable study Is that which IL
conducted with n definite and sneelaI
object, all reading, attention. observa.
ton and reflection being directed unon
It for the time being. BY thoroughly
mastering any given branch Of knowi.
edge we render It much more valuable
for use Mt my moment.
The study Of the higher mathematics,
besides being n mental discipline. "a es.
auirca such Lno,viedsa a "a,,rss =.