The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-04-14
Moral Environment.

bit. Inc researches OF recent years
thrown much light on this subject,
lave proved that the processes of
5tfon are very largely dependent upon
editions of the environment. We
ras>ed from conjecture to certainty,
.4e now able to predicate what changes
u rnsue under certain given circum-
.ps. SO many students of physical
somrua, including men of the most
.rJj minds, have been continuously
igea u investigating and interpreting
avs Of Nature during the last half
gs that numbers of her most secret
.. ive become more or less an open
Hetore this, however, the vaguest
.- urevailed. An able writer of the
-ary says II am satisfied that
uuntry produces people of the
/. features, and compilations, it
sN aousand years ago; and whenever
of people take possession of
they become like those who
it before in very few genera
-r swarthy Scythian or Tartar,
-.Ii squat make, fiat nose, thick
little black eyes set deep in his
..re to be transported into Germany
nations of the ocythians were
his posterity, in hundred or
ears, would infallibly be tall,
Tvs. of fair compilations, and
.atures, as the present Germans
Notwithstanding we all sprung
1riginal, our features and COM
avs our stature. and even tempers,
riding to the part of the world
. zen to be planted in. There is
in the air, the soil, the diet,
pf life, which makes the in
II one country appear as if they
4-t in different mould from those
her. This statement, however,
as partially correct. Locality
uld not produce these changes,
la nyironment, powerful as it is, is
-- factor out of many in producing
larry changes, and can deteriorate
. improve. 1t may bring about
steal alterations, may enlarge,
l uay metamorphose an organ, dis
H leautify a structure, but the es-
laracter of the animal or plant
nun the same. Habit and race are
, sotent III etfecting variations, but
l0, tAe most powerful of all is selec-
eless the fact remains that en-
ra, has a prodigious influence in
physical character 1t is the
tue mental and moral world.
ectual culture mainly depends
mental environment, as our
ture upon our moral environ
a child of the most illiterate
closely associated from early
it'll persons of culture, the
many 10 one that he also will
He may not have the wide
lisp Of one born from a stock of
All ancestors. but lie will have
improved grasp, and his mind
uonized to the tone of theils.
l't many even among these of
culture who rise to great
heights, but all acquire an
tone which adds to the refine
-DUyment Of life. The love of
lor its own sake, apart from
1 NJ uJility, is one of the most
III intellectual passions. And
lI possess in a higher or lower
Their intellectual environment
rs it We're, and spiritHalizes every
They see, for instance, with
aud hear with other ears, than
have not received their mental
And their perceptions may
of absorbing interest and
Inns IS distinct gain, better it
Ian wealth or power, for it gives
etling which we are always
nJnv and which no one can take
avertheless, high culture NAV
wish great vices, and many in
men have become abandoned
ies. making their great acquire
Hs2rVlent to evil. Thus splendid
nH mental powers may be de-
-o their possessors unless they
lled by correct moral feeling.
nlly a suitable moral environ
necesSary tc enable us to develop
.rf faculties of our nature, and to
whole man. A good physical
'o IS eminently desirable; ex-
au-al requirements are also to
euiE attained so far as we are
3 sound moral constitution will
l the real happiness and well
u's uflvlduaI than anything else.
attest strength and the most bril-
..aiS ii misdirected, shine with
us-re when compared with
off high moral nature.
nlch of athletics and the
Haeaton. Both are good,
e.-' is the highest. The truly
H#'ion is not to be found in
urieulum, but resides i'm
o0t home and circle of ac-