(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.