Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-02-05
sE1F-culruRE AND ITS OPPORTUNITIES.
Excellent Article by Mrs. Jas s. Cass, Late Of
+ This,City-Read Before Ladies' Society
at SIMMER. Iowa.

1 Self culture means more than just
mental culture; it means culture of our
every faculty moral, spiritual
aud physical; it means not only to uulti-
vate our minds, but our bodies and dis
/ positions as we'll We are apt, | know,
In speaking of self culture, to think of
| 1t as pertaining solely to the mental,
and what is more pleasant than to come
IN contact with we'll cultured mind
How 1t brightens and invigorates us.
ike the first sweet breath of spring
lifting us above, and beyond our cares
| and worries, till we feel stimulated 10
reach for mental heights, before, un-
thought of
The duties ofself culture are manifold
the opportunities legion Our first and
highest duty to our Creator, to ourselves,
our families. to all with whom we come
in contact, TO posterity, lies in self cul-
ture. How do we fulfill our duty to
God by self culture9 BY culture of a
meek aud lowly spirit, by MAXIM, the
most and best of every gift with which
DE has blessed us, by willingness to
follow His divine precepts and obey that
sweetest and best of all commands,
Love We one another by striving to
lay the white mantle Of charity" over
all which may offend us, and by so doing
lift ourselves above and beyond the
petty differences which through life,
come more or less TO us all, and by
cultivation of patience, which, indeed,
goes hand in hani with charity. All
this means self culture, oftimes the
hardest to obtain and shows in small
degree how we owe a duty of culture TO
God, and no less, is duty to ourselves
and others.
The neei of cultivating the mind grows
in Importance as our civilization becomes
more earnest and complex. One huu-
dred. lay fifty years ago, education was
not the necessity it is today. New bur
dens and cares are added TO our lot and
we need culture, thorough and complete.
to fit ourselves to meet and surmount
them Not only mental culture is gain
ed along educational lines, but spiritual,
moral and physical culture as well.
Self culture, and that means self con-
troll as well, is the greatest study of
human life; and when one IL master of
himself, the man who aims to succeed
and live happily win never fear the
emergencies and accidents that befall
all of us The woman who thus possess
es herself, becomes power and force
in her sphere. The training of the mind
go that 1t viii act as tonic and preserve
our health, Is something that may be
accomplished in all lives; but this work
of self culture is hard and needs con-
slant attention.
Sor our children we need not fear
Their opportunities for culture along all
lines are almost unlimited. Our schools,
both public and private open the way
to all, no matter how poor or lowly; bgst
for ourselves, who perhaps did not havs
these advantages, other ways must be
| found, and they, too are at hand The
press with its numerous publications,
4 social clubs and societies CT all kinds
| and they are many our churches all
help TO self culture. IL only we put our
| mind ami will to improvement of our
| selves and here assert that no man or
| woman need be in this age an uneducat-
| ed or un:ultured person; if they are so,
| ii is because they do not care to be other
/ wise or.are lacking in the energy neces-
sary for their own improvement They
| may not have q college education or
even high school diploma but they
may have fund of information and
| culture. Ifitcannot be gained by study
and. research, il can be by observation
and thought; for thought may not be
| confined and one may think and digest
mentally, those things we see or hear,
or read, though our employment may
| keep MS from many social and mental
pleasures; and 80 may we still cultivate
| ourselves. Ambition to achieve often
works wonders and we gain where there
seems t. be no chance. Our public IL
braries present a prolific source for var
led information, to those who may find
| it convenient TO avail themselves Of this
| opportunity. We only need Judgment
in our selection OF reading TO profit much
and well Again our interchange of
| thought with others is an opportunity
often overlooked.
Once more, say, that though we may
not all be educated or cultivated alike
no one need be wi5hout his or her share
and it isour one great duty to so inn
| prove ourselves by every opportunity
! NC may meet, and strive to build our
character TO its highest and best, that
we may be, not only to our own but to
Others precept sud example. This
| is an age of progress and it behooves us
| to be ever striving onward, ever reach
| ing upward for the best and purest along
| all these lines of self culture for neither
| time nor opportunity is closed TO any.
| we may uob hit ue Bittu dihe anu
what to others may be as an open book
may be TO me the hardest to attain.
Yet by improving my every opportunity,
by utilizing my time, also may succeed.
How few there are who value time
Alright
That treasure given by the Infinite.
In youth we squander it. In age we
grieve
At sight of loss we never may retrieve
| II you and /, an all were truly wise.
The feeting 10 oments we would b. 5a-
L LIZ r,riza =