Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1899-09-08
THEINFLUENCE OF BOOKS
Prof 1cLean's Advice to Both
Old and Young.
Jedge . Man By what He Reads-Iho
Power Of ConeentfntioA Il Necss.
sAry 70 All who Dseiro 70
Ne Cultured.

Ne Cultured.
A man may usually be known by the
books he reads, as well a. by the COM
pany he keeps, for there Is q compan-
ionship of books as well as Of men, and
one should always live in the best COM
pany, whether it be Of books or men.
AL dangerous, useless, irreligious,
trashy and Sensational books should be
avoided, says the Jewish MESSENGER,
not only as sinful waste Of time, but
because such reading is demorslizing
to the taste for fine culture. Such
works are the poison weeds In the field
of literature.
Ignorance L. the curse Of God;
knowledge the wings wherewith we fy
to heaven" Knowledge cannot be
stolen from US. 1t cannot be pur-
chased or sold. We may be insolvent,
and the snerif 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.
Endeavor to accumulate q choice and
well-selected library, and add to II con.
stantly as fast a. your circumstances
Will permit. Money spent for good
books Is always we'll spent, and the in
vestment will AFFORD more profit, COM
fort and Improvement than any other
possibly can. Books introduce IN 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 and did, we par
ticipate in their thoughts, their expe-
rtence becomes ours, and we feel - II
they were onr friends.
Genius Is rare gift, but every man
has talents Of some kind, and all may
acquire tact. Most of what men call
genius Is q talent for hard work. No
greatness was ever acquired without
patient, persistent and well-directed
labor.
The superficial person who has Q
smattering of 90 many things, but
knows nothing well. 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 the 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 II
but beginning, and is mainly valu-
able in 80 far that 1t trains W in the
habit OF continuous application and
facilitates self-education after . def
mite plan and system. Economy of
time is as necessary to the student as to
the business man. Take an inventory
OF your time as you would Of your
capital. in order that you may invest It
wisely. Lay aside a certain number Of
hours every day for regular study and
reading.
1t is only by meditation that. man
can understand himself. Yet al, ether
knowledge without this is splendid ig-
norance. Close examination will be req
uisite for the forming Of true opinion
OF ones own powers, temper and dis
position. Ignorance and self-conceit
tend to make us overrate our personal
ability. Common sense is defined rs
sound practical Judgment; the lfocapt
decision of imperverted reason. It Is
practical wisdom applied to everyd ~
affairs. The possession of sound ON
mon sense is rare and valuabl, rift,
and can only be acquired by thorough
self-knowledge and judicious mental
culture.
Moral and intellectual philosophy ia
not only useful and practical study,
but it affords valuable means of b. xh
culture and mental developmeIt 1t
teaches the principle of sound reason
Ing and enables the student to cultivate
those habits of correct thought wlich
are as necessary to success in life.
However, by attempting too many
studies the student incurs the risA of
becoming superficial, and by devoting
too much time to single study he
must neglect others. The chief object
Of mental culture is not merely to I'LL
the mind with other mems thoughts
and to be the passive recipient Of their
Impressions of things, but to enlarge
our individual intelligence and render
as more useful and efficient workers in
our sphere Of life.
To study effectively the mind must
be concentrated ON its work. Make II
the first object to be able to FIX and
hold your attention upon y our studies
He who can do this has mas tered many
difficulties, and he who cannot do II
will never succeed as student. Thu
most profitable study Is that which il
conducted with definite and specia
object, all reading, attention, observa
ton and reflection being directed upor
it for the time being. By thorough,
mastering any given branch Of knowl
edge we render it much more valuable
for use at any moment.
The study Of the higher mathematics
besides being mental discipline, 10 "a
pecially useful to one whose calling re
quires such knowledge. A course o
} mathematics 10 also good preparation
, for any pursuit requiring habits o
close, exact reasoning, careful analyst
and minute investigation. The stud.
Of natural philosophy opens up flel'
Of investigation which is as interesting
as it ID unlimited, and q knowledge O
the principles of each Of tho physica
! sciences is not only . necessary par
Of liberal education, but . most us<
full and entertaining pursuit.
N Schools and academies, however us<
ful, are not absolutely necessary to tn
attainment of the highest mental Gu
n - 4 A. ls,H ~