State Convention—Self-Culture. 
419 ’ 
n knowledge of the world in which we live and act. This again; 
leads us to look about for means with which the better to perform 
our duties and protect our rights; the training to habits of action 
suitable to that destination. 
* 
Gentlemen, in every rural neighborhood, will be found those 
anxious and eager for mental culture. A little aid and encourage¬ 
ment may produce great results. Let us then well guard and sup¬ 
port the ground-work of universal progress—our common free schools 
—encourage the u debating society,” with not only good words, 
but an occasional u rag-baby.” Support your public library. See 
that you have a well-arranged club, or grange in your community, 
and make the same interesting, and instructive by the discussion of 
live questions. Encourage the circulation of the agricultural press; 
prevail upon 3 T our friend to accompany you to these conventions, 
and while here freely express yourself on the questions under con¬ 
sideration. Be sure to give your opinion whether it agrees with 
Mr. A’s, or Mr. B’s version of the same, for by honest discussion 
and comparison of differences of opinion, we may fairly hope to ar¬ 
rive at just conclusions. And above all do not become discouraged 
if your labor and exertions do not meet with anticipated results. 
Lend 3 7 our influence for the betterment of society. In the words of 
Carlyle, “ It is a high, solemn, almost awful thought for eve^ in¬ 
dividual man, that his earthly influence, which has had a commence¬ 
ment, will never, throughout all ages, were he the very meanest of 
us, have an end.” What is done, is done; is blended with the ever- 
living, ever-working universe, and Will ever work there for good or 
for evil, openly or secretly, throughout all time. Let our influence 
then be such, that when our “ da3 r s work is done,” it will be said of 
us, a good man has departed, but his influence is with us and will 
work here for the good of mankind throughout all time, for “men 
may come and men may go, but it goes on forever.” With this as 
our motto, we will educate ourselves, assist our neighbors in the 
same work and self-culture, will place each and every one of us in 
our proper sphere of action. Ignorance, intolerence, and bigotiy 
must give way to intelligence, and the world will be improved b3" 
our having lived therein. 
Mr. Seymour: I have nothing to offer, only 1 wish to suggest to 
you in your forthcoming volume, or the next volume, that you will 
