INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 



It ought to be the leading resolve, the great 

 living and actuating desire of every man who 

 has arrived at the maturity of his powers, of 

 every man especially, who has received the 

 blessing of a good education, to do something 

 which shall tend to the prosperity of his coun- 

 try and of his species — something beyond the 

 mere routine of those duties which belong: to 

 the ordinary life of every good citizen, and 

 which yet may be achieved without the neglect 

 of those duties, or without forsaking that sphere 

 in which Nature and Providence have cast his 

 lot ; something, however small, which shall ad- 

 vance, or at least aim to advance, the refine- 

 ment and moral elevation of his race. This is 

 the only mode by which we can discharge, 

 greatly and fully, that debt of blessings which 

 we receive from God, our parents, and the 

 community in which we live ; for mere thankful- 

 ness of heart, unseconded by deeds of benifi- 

 cence and the virtuous exercise of an enlighten- 



