(firThn following is nn introductory Lectute, delivered by nppointirioiu before the Bloomsburg Lycvum, by Dr. Wm. Il, pETRifJif, on Wednesday -livening, tbo 10th' Ifist., ntid politely furnished for pub. licnticm nt Ibc request of tliu society) unan imously expressed. Mr. President Lsdies and Gentle men, It having devolved upon me, to de liver a lecture an sonic important subject on this occasion I have chosen that o(Svl Cultivation', which appears to tnc, peculiarly appropriate as an initiatory lecture, before a literary so ciety. Self-improvement, is a word with which we should be very famil iar in, our. language, for there is not one subject, end, or blessing, implied in nuy other word, that transcends it when taken in its broadest sense. It is not only the instinct of nature, hut the' dictate of reason, and is comming glcd with every thing, to which man can either aspire or r'uc to. As men, it calls forth the most ennobling prin ciples of conduct, and informs us, that wo may be groat, in every situation of life. . It presents to us the grandeur ofn&tute, and, if we will hut improve iWturns to naught all outward dis tinctions. It reminds each one of us, that knowledge, Liko a crj-sta! spring, lies hid, Until the earth rubbish, is removed; When it shoots foith, meandering on its way, And sparkles brightly, on the sunny day. Such metaphorically, is the condition of the human mind, until by self-culture, its dormant springs,(or faculties) are- developed, and I he rubbish, of ig norance removed, when the intellectu al acquirements shine forth, with re fulgent splendor, and servo to light and refresh us through life. The Blind, like a piecious stone in its roughness, would not, without culti vation, attain that high value, and splendid perfection, which it obtains by culture; but like the precious gem, would have, its beauty and worth con cealed beneath an unpolished surface, winch would never reflect the pre cious light of intellect around u. Knowledge & wisdom arc not im bibed intuitively, but require study, and labour on our part, in reflecting, considering, and judging, to obtain, ascertain its value, and apply it to its proper uses. But in order, to illustrate this sub ject, moro fully, 1 will proceed, to treat of it, as follows: Firstly ,its prc-rcquisitcsjSccondly its elements; & Thirdly, its means of ac quirement. First its pro-requisites, or what it implies. They aie First, self consciousness; Second, self Govcrn mentjand Thirdly,self foi mation, all of which are comprised in self cultivation. First self co isciousncss. This is absolutely necessary. To have a Itnowledgo of ourselves is a pre liminary step in the attainment of knowledge. If we would know our selves, we must penetrate and look in to our own minds and enquire as In their condition and culture, when af ter giving an impartial dccisio.-, we will be capable, of receiving that in formation which is so desirable. Wc should while turning our attention to outward thing, not neglect those of tho inward man. If we do, wc shall be like Barren fruit trees, but encumbran ces to the ground. If we would im prove.we must not be strangers to our selves, but having a knowledge of the state of our own minds, we will be conscious of our ignorance, and will therefore bo desirous of cultivation and improvement. Having. surmounted this first step ping stone-to self-improvement, the next pre-requisile to it, is, secondly self government. It is indispensable to self-culture that we should be abjo to rule our selves be able to fix the attention upon the subject of study, and con fine our thoughts to it, and it alone, allowing nothing .else to engross our thoughts. When we have obtained this conquest over our minds, every, faculty and power within us will be come as obe .licut to our commands, a? the servant to his master. He who has acquired this desidera tum, "may bo well assured that his rntnd is susceptible of improvement; while on the contrary, ho who is with out this acquisition, can never be sure of doing it, but like a ship without a rudder on the boisterous ocean," or the leaf in tho whirlwind, is at the merry of every passing impulse. The next step in connrclion with this sdhject is, Thirdly .Self formation. In connection with those powers al ready mentioned, we possess (ho pow er to form ourselves, those guiding and inipetlant powers, by which the means and influences arc directed, that promote their growth arid strength. Tho mark of attainment being always kept in View, will stimulate us to press forward; and although wc may not bo able to attain perfection, will come Within its presiucts. We can adopt or suppress this or that trait of charac ter; that habit cultivate or conquer;lhis propensity direct or eradicate. Kvo ry attainment we make should he con sidered hut as the basis of another and more lofty growth like a seed planted in the ground multiplying with every growth. Second, the elements, or first prin ciples of self-cultivation. These commence their application in youth, and like tho cultivation of the tender shoot rising to a tree, re quire not only watchfulness and at tention, hut the application of the aids and means of growth. Therefore in order to cultivate self, we must by a proper exercise of, endeavor to devel opc our mental organs: cspccivlly those which perform our highest and noblest actions, & that we may become well proporlioned&.vigorous, our phy -sical powers should bo equally exer cised. I will now proceed to treat of self culture in its various departments; and notwithstanding they advance togeth er, and each has an influence over the other, will notice each by itself, that tho subject may be distinct brfore us. First self cultivation should be phy sical. Wc arc so accustomed to hear this subject treated of, without the relation of the body being taken into consider ation, that it may appear singular that it should become the first object of at tention. Self cultivation is the improvement of all that wo are, both physically mentally, and morally. It is is abso lutely necessary, in order to have sound and healthful minds, that our bodies be healthful and sound. The exercise of the body and mind, should go hand in hand, in order to keep up a healthful action in both. This is a subject which is often entirely over looked, in consequence of which,ycars of suffering are entailed upon us. This example is applicable to parents. This one from an honest but mistaken in tention cf proving the mind of his child, has it cooped up In an ill ver tilated school room, confined and bent down to studies three fourths of its time, at an age when it is of the ut most importance, that the chief care should be tak en in the exercise of the physical system. Perhaps also, from mistaken tenderness, when not at school, he confines his child almost entirely, to warm appartments, as though the pure air of Heaven was not intended to be hrenthcd,until heat ed within walls by a furnace. So that between confinement at home and at school, the poor sufferer is almost as much confined as if in a peniten tiary; ami languishes, for want of bodily exercise in tbe open air. Dr. Rush says "the)' should be drawn from study, by teaching them useful or ornamental bodily exercises. Rosscau was of opinion, that the exercise of the body should always precede that of the mind. Dr. Rush describes very beautiful ly, an exemplification of this remark, which occurred a) the house of a gen tleman in the neighbmhood of Edin burg; who introduced one of his daughters, then about five years old, with a little 'pinning wheel, at which she worked with great dexterity, sing ing at the same time, a well known song, suited to her employment, to the great delight of a large and respect able company. When will this sacrifice of the health, for the pride of having a superior child be done away with, so that its physical, may not be sacrificed by its premature growth? Such are Ihecauses in present limes, of so many instances of willed, feeble, and sickly, or remarkable children, of mushroom growth of mind, which by this forced hot bed action of the brain, are rendered prodigies by their second or third year, and die by the next. fo wonder there arc so many nervous and hypocondriacal diseases, and spinal and consumptive affections, when from stooping with the should ers 'he lungs from very friction, might become diseased; and if along witii this, it wants for pure water, air, and exorcise, how can it enjoy health. That physical health, is one of tho most important items in self cultiva tion, must now be apparent to all; & 1 shall therefore proceed to consider it in its other legations, Second, self cultivation is. alsoltilel lccttial. The mind of innn, being the reCepient, and also the distributor of intelligence, its cultivation must ne cessarily bu requisite, in order that we may'Jhavc its full and prnperexercisc. Tbipfslre for knowledge is like an endless thirst, never satisfied, but on ly increased, the mote it is gratified. It is our minds that render us superior to brutes, and we should therefore, cul tivate them, so, that our animal, (which we possess in common with animals) should not predominate over our in tellectual faculties. In a perfect system of intellectual culture, care should bo taken to avoid the two extremes arising from particu larization and generalization, which they are apt to fall into, as the one who happens to acquire he first habit, will obtain a character olily for particular business, and a facility of expression on some one subject or other; while the latter, will possess a character for general intelligence and will be able to express himself eloquently in gen eral teims, but in the details of busi ness, exhibits every mark of irresolu tion and incapacity. The first marks the man of business, the last the phi losophcr. There is no country in tho world, perhaps, that aflords so great facilities, or so great inducement's, for the attain ment of knowledge as our own. Tal ent is here, the recognizing, mark of distinction, when combined with mor al worth; which enables every man, however humble hs occupation, to at tain the highest rank of philosophers and statesmen, as we have many ex amples of. "Expert men," says Lord Bacon" cap execute and judge of particulars, one by one: but the general counsels, and tbe plots, and marshalling of af fairs, come best from those who arc learned." We wqultMjc strangers to self cul tivation ifvc were only to obtain knowledgc(which is but the food of our mental growth,) and were not to use it. We must learn to think also as well as know, so that we will have a foun dation for more elevated and wider truths. The mind when cultivated, like a flower nurtured by the hand of art, will expand in proportion as it is cul tured. Or in the language of poetry: 'Tis cultivation, that unfolds the mind, Expands our reason, ''beautifies the whole, Leaving tho impress, of its course be hind, To brighten, and to elevate the soul. Train up the faculties of the mind in the correct course, and it will not fail to be manifest, not only by increasing the size of the brain, but by a manifest increase of its operations or emana tions. Wc will now proceed to consider it in another relation viz: That ofMoral-culture The import ance of the cultivation of the moral faculties will be Very apparent, if we take into consideration, that in our or dinary transactions and intercourse with the world, our selfish propensi ties and sentiments nre almost exclu sively exercised, which unless some portion of our time was allotted to the reception of moral instruction, would lend greatly to the produc tion of depravity. It is of the utmost importance, that the moral faculties should be particularly exercised early in life, when the mind is least influ enced by the antagonist influences; so that the impression may out last eve ry other. All our efforts should be in accordance with tho moral govern ment of God, and with the moral con stitution of the universe. We should analyze our moral and religious facul ties, and adopt those practices which they clearly point out. The doctrines and prccepls of revelation are consid ered as tho best, and only correct law extant upon this subject, and must therefore be our chief guide. The limits of a lecture not admit ting of a moro general discusson of this part of the subject, I will proceed to consider some of the means of self culture This subject occupies such a large field, that my lime will not ad mit of my treating it more than bricf- The principal means of self cul ture are: Observation, Thinking.Rcad' ing and Lyceums or Literary Societies. First, by observation is meant, the notice of passing objects and occur rences with which we make ourselves intimately acquainted. It requires the exercise of all the senses of the body, ever awake to receive impres sions from any source by which they may be presented; that is, that we should be "all eye, all ear, and all A grasp." Knowledge imbibed in this. way,is either obtruded upon us, or ob tained by questioning, It is not on ly a very delicalo matter to ask ques tions, but considered impertinent, and therefore it is requisite to make use of a great deal of address in doing so, or the. suspicion of ignorance will be inferred, and ridiculo and contempt the consequence. The fear of this mishap, militates against the ac quisition of information in this way in consequence of which,so many per sons derivo so little knowledge, in the course of their travels and life. In order to cultivate our minds in this mannsr, much previous culture will be necessary, so that by engaging thoso we meet in conversation on gen eral and particular topics, in such n manner as to draw forth the extent of their knowledge,' without exposing our own deficiencies. In our daily walks wc should remark every change in the temperature of the weather, and every other circumstance that occurs, which will be likely to bo o- utility to ourselves or others. If in conversa tion with those who are engaged in commerce, enquire into tho state of it. Wo will also make inquiries into the effects of diffurent manufactories and occupations upon the health, morals and longevity of the woikmen. Eve ry person with whom we meet, such as fellow travellers upon the road, fer ry men, innkeepers, grooms, & even beggars, will afford us some informa tion or other, that could not be obtain ed from any other source. Many of our greatest men have acquired an im mensity of knowledge in this way. Information obtained in this way, is generally more correct than that ob tained otherwise; as it is subject to tho examination of our sense and reason, before it is treasured up in the mind. Hut enough has been said on this branch of the subject, and I will pro ceed tocon&ider, Thinking,is a means of self cultivation. That thinkingacU as a means of self culture, is evident from tho writings of men in acti, e.life, bearing a stamp of excellence, not at tainable bj' men who pass their lives in a library, shut up from tho expe rience of the world Solitary travel ling, by invigorating .our thinking fac ulties, favours this means of cultiva tion. In order to'prosper by our thoughts, every worthy one should bs noted down in a commen place book kept for this purpose; ono side- being kept for facts, and the other for thoughts. Many great men have pursued this plan, among whom are Voltaire, who noted down in large companies; and Popr.of whom it is said,he often rang a bell while a guest at Lord Oxfords, in order to call up a servant with a candle, in order to record a thought ouggested perhaps by a dream. A thought to a Philosopher Statesman, Pect, Litera rian, or Historian.is often of great val ue; as his future fame or usefulness may depend on it. 'Self cultivation maybe obtained by: Reading By means of reading, we become acquainted with tho ob servations of thousands in part ages and countries, and thus as it were, multiply ourselves." The choice of books requires some judgment. "Books written on sub jects, that arc in a state progression or improvcment,such as natural Philoso phy, Chemistry, and Medicine, ought to be modern; but upon many others, more especially Theology, Morals & Metaphysics this should not be done." "New books are composed prin cipally, from the decayed materials of old ones, reanimated and clothed in a new dress of language, with the addi tion, perhaps, of such new ideas or improvements, as the lapse of time, the experience of the age, or the reas onings of the writer may hava suggest ed. The elementary matters exist in nil; and are often the same in books upon the same subjects, in successive ages. The celebrated Dr. Rush, during his life, in conversing with Dr. Nes bitt, was much struck with the great extent and diversity of his knowledge, and took the liberty of inquiring from what source ho had obtained it. He informed him, that he had lived in Montrose many years, next door to a pastry-cook; and that his neighbor imported hogsheads of old books from London every year, to tear up.in order to defend the bottom of his pastry from the excessive heat of the oven; and before using them, he rent for the Dr. and bade him select for his own use, all such as ho thought valua ble. He did so, and acquired by this means, a valuable and cheaply obtain ed library, from which he derived the greater part of his knowledge, with which he astonished and dcljghtejl al who conversed with him, Mr. Addison was, Induced to reti Baxter's work. in consequence c meeting with a fragment of a lest o them, under a piece ofpastry at a gen tlematrs labia. Such books as arc valuable shoulc be selectod for reading, and read often .ini.ii ia fjicicramc lo reading a greai numbcron tho tamo subioct. Too erea' variety and excess in reading, weak ens the mind, and should be avoided; It is of importance to tako notes of the most important nassnirps in n hnok when reading, so that we may look' urci iiiciu ii i-ijuuiiiij- u i wiuui mucn in convenience, nut! hnvi whntnvnr ! in teresting fixed in the memory. An UHiMi w. immense; BdJfQ, ,v o U I caul Ull- iy, wncn wc read without a pen in our Hands. I come next to consider Lyceums' or Literary Societies, as a means of self .culture. Lyceums or Literary So cieties are nigniy appreciaicu, uy ttioso who have had connection with them. Tl i . - . . . . i uu au vantages oi sucn a society in , me procuration ol a library of books, at but a strifling expense to each mem ber, fur which they have an opportuni ty of storing their minds with useful knowledge, in greater variety, than tho limited means ot the maionty of us, living in small towns could indi vidually afford to purchase. "A chair in a librars', 'says a distinguished au- uiui i suuiuu tunsiucr as ine tnrone oi l. 1. 1 u : j . : human felicity." In this opinion I heartily coincide, and after storing my mind with use ful knowledge, I could resort to lha shelves of the library and rust it, By exchanging the subject for some light and interesting' literary one, which, might refine my feelings and taste, whiln it imparted vivacity to my ideas. Here we are informed, amused, in structed and delighted. Hero the past and present limes are united, and all the world with its governments & customs are 'portrayed; and here are described in abstract, all the opinions and systems of knowledge, that the world has ever produced. Encourage therefore tho establishment of Ly ceums in every town and village; 1st those who have not boeome members of this society, become awakened to the importance, and they will fully ap preciate this means of cultivation. Much more might.be said, but time will not permit;&if in fulfilling a',duty enjoined by this society, 1. have satis fied their expectations, and been instu- mental in-awakening the pubh'J minJ as to the means and importance of Self-cultivation, so as to conduce ta the general advantage, I will be wall rewarded. SHERIFF'S SAl.ES. BY virtue of sundry wiits of Venditioni Exponas, to me directed, will be exposed to public sale, at the house of Charles Deeblsr, in Bloomsburg, on Thursday the 4th of March next at 10 o'clock in the forsnoon, the following property viz: A certain tract of land situated in Green wood township, Columbia county, adjoining lands of Joseph E. Sands, John Connor, E. G. Kickots and others, containing ONE HUNDRED AND TEN ACRES, about fifty acres cleared land, whereon is ercoled a small LOG MOUSE AND STABLE. Seized, taken in execution, Jand bo seld as the property of David Utt. ALSO A certain lot of ground, siluato in Hem lock township, Columbia cnunly,aujoining lands of James Roat, William Galaspy, Veniah Reese, whoreon is erected a mm MsiSANU STABLE Seized taken in execution, and to bs sold as the property of Charles Neikart. ALSO PITS AOPwES of unimproved land, situate in. Briercreek tewnslup, Columbia county, adjoining lands of Jacob Sliclhainmcr, John Conner and others. Seized, taken in execution and to be sold as tho property of John Dennis. ALSO A certain lot of ground situate in Rhoars- burg, Greenwood township, Columbia,coun ty, adjoining lands of William Mather, An drew M'Cluro and others, containing ONE II A !' ACKu more or less, wuereon is erected a HOUSES Mnm AND Jyyjj Small Tailor Shop. Seized, taken in execution and to be sold as the property of John Kuinoy. JUUiM Mill IT, aifr; Shkriff's Office, Danvjllo, ? Feb. 12, 181 1.
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