142 Extracts from the Journals. [July, 



ture alone, which stimulate the many to exertion. These wants 

 are widely enlarged by a kind Providence, through the forms of 

 conventional life — of organized society: and each additional 

 want, whether actual or imaginary, gives rise to an increased 

 mental exertion. Thus it happens that our wants, rather than 

 our ambition, are the fulcra upon which the intellect of tlie mass 

 of society is lifted up, and the points about w^hich it revolves. 

 But let it be remembered that I speak of the many, not of the few 

 who pursue truth and knowledge for their own sakes. It is of the 

 latter class only that the great in literature and science ever come. 

 No man has distinguished himself highly, without an object above 

 merely bettering his condition in life. But those of you who are 

 farthest removed from the necessity of actual exertions to procure 

 your personal comforts, are in the greatest danger of falling vic- 

 tims to this general inertia of our nature. And to such, more 

 particularly, would I give the voice of warning. As a means of 

 success or happiness in life, the most unstable of all, is a reliance 

 upon the favors of fortune. 



It sometimes happens that we are slow to appreciate the value 

 of elementary study. That we distrust the practical utility of Ae 

 learnino- of the schools; and where this is so, althouo-h the voice 

 of instruction, like " the rains of Heaven may descend upon the 

 just and the unjust," its fertilizing principle sinks deep only in 

 the one, while it runs off unfelt from the other. From those more 

 especially whose collegiate lii'e ends with the morrow, the last 

 apology' for neglect (if any such there hath been) is about to pass 

 away. They can no more ask themselves, of what avail is all 

 this? What boots it that we become learned in languages; wise 

 in cones, spheres, squares, and cubes? " Will it set a bone? No. 

 Or an arm? No. Or take away the grief of a wound? No — 

 therefore I'll none of it." A different scene now opens. Your 

 next step is preparation — immediate preparation, for active life. 

 You will soon be transplanted from beneath the parent stem; you 

 will have an individuality, and must stand or fall as you shall 

 bear yourselves in the coming struggle. Are there any who even 

 yet hesitate? who cast about for farther delay — further indul- 

 gence? Then indeed their case is almost hopeless. They enter 

 upon the serious duties of life with a species of " malice afore- 

 thought." I will not suppose it. I am willing to believe that 

 all are ready. Now it is, that you would make a gainful barter 

 by exchanging a goodly portion of all tlie genius and talent you 

 possess, for a part only of the unshaken confidence — the strong 

 self-reliance of men immeasurably your inferiors in acquirements. 

 Look abroad; animate creation has its lesson. The beasts of the 

 field seek safety and protection in their own instincts and strength. 

 The fowls of the air poise themselves aloft, each by the steadi- 



