The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-04-15

Books imply thought, and the creation
OF a thought involves the hunting after
more thought, fulfilling it's end, not in
final suspension, but in successive af-
ter-thinking, which give to life re-
newed vitality, indeed, which are life
itself,--life and health to the human
mind,-for the being that thinks is the
being that is; and it is what we are,
not what we obtain, that is of worthi-
ness to ourselves and to the brother
hood of humanity.
Notwithstanding is better, by far,
than money getting, This is not
claim that the former should be pur-
sued at undue neglect of the latter, but
that the former is essential, and of ev-
erlasting value.
Thought-hunting does not ensure
money-getting, although the two may
be successfully carried on together.
On the other hand, accumulation of
money often interferes with true
thought and the higher life. Thought
hunters carry a golden store of gain
with them, which enriches other than
the owners and suffers no decrease.
Beautiful images are in the thought
world So as the realm of learning
widens, the love of it strengthens, until
culture,--Which is constant devotion to
real things, and best things,-becomes
thereby O. natural possession.
Book-reading and thought hunting
should go hand finland. One feels
mental lassitude from continued read
ing without proportionate thinking.
Vigorous digestion holds the mind in
balance and in harmony with the phys
ical being, and there can not be diges-
ton without thought. Thought entails
no languor or depression. Have you
never observed the difference between
persons of habitual thought and those
lacking in mind-resources? Which of
the two classes do you find inspiring to
your own activities?
1t is a common error to suppose that
abundant leisure is necessitous to i'm
provement of the mind. In such case
few minds could or would rise above
the ordinary Sorrowfully many in
stances are there of persons of leisure
who spend the f1eeting hours careless
ly; while numerous driven" ones find
interstices of time in which to lay
away the honey-hoards from choice lit
erary rovings
Do you imagine the patience in the
labor of the tiny ant when you casual
ly glance at it's sand-hills in the sum-
mer? The bearing of many single
grains upward ends in triumphant
mastery. Could you and I not learn a
truth, taking home to our hearts the
simple lesson, -grand, although so sim
pie? Alas! how many feet ruthlessly
tread down the diligent ants labor;
how many minds scorn the wealth
made up of treasured moments! Little
these dream what conquerors they
might become, and what joy one reaps
from patience and persistence in pure
attachments, despite full many draw
backs.
With Mr.. Gannett, think that great
things can not easily nor well be at
tanned in odd moments or in fragments
of hours merely. But 1 do believe in
the use of the fragments and margins
as helps; and likewise, believe that
the mind which sincerely Graves cul-
ture will have it, whatever the cost, so
as it can make its opportunities
The statement may perhaps be VEN
tured that there are few so busy people
| that they can not make their own OPP
portunities. Certainly an offered OPP
portunity is of no smallest value to the
person llnready for it. But If one be in
readiness, and none come, what then?
| l know not unless one seek and work
| for it. Are there not many persons
whom you observe doing certain I'M
| necessary things along with their daily
labors, and yet complaining over
| want of time for other privileges, or
| for social or friendly observances?
What can you say Of these, except that
they do those things they care most to
| do, and leave the more important I'M
| done?
| Time is to all in the same proportion.
There is no such thing as lack of it.
Leisure is another consideration. But
| they who labor the most steadily, the
most earnestly, with high purpose, they
are the ones on whom you may depend
| for friendly offices truly fulfilled, and
on whom you look with admiration be-
cause Of their bestowals to the world.
They are thought-hunters, for they do
not thought1essly plan, or study or Ia
| Dor.
To be interested in literature is a
great aid to industrious people. Still,
the reading of books can not be pro-
miscuous, or cursory, and result in
mental substance. Few people, COM
paratively, can read Cor study to adj
vantage many books in the course of
one year. But at least one or two vol
umes might, by wise use of faculties
and time, be perused with thoughtful
attention and much benefit To bring
good to the reader it must be choice
substance, since quality, not quantity
is the sine qua non presumed upon in
the attempt
If you read you acquaint yourself
with the thought of others. If you
originate a thought you have some
what to dispense to the minds of 9th
ers, for, depend upon it, your thought
will be given in one form or another
according as it is strong or weak. We
are all borrowers of thought, but we
should not be purloiners, that is, We
should not se1fishly enjoy, and take ne
pains to add to the mental riches Of
the world either through slothful hab.
it's or from fear that our little posses
sions would not avail.
The predispositiont to learning is cause
for gratitude with any person. But
| ad,,,iro bIa is the one who coura oeouSlL