Ignorance a source of ills.

Teachings of Providence.

equally necessary to its life and symmetry, but in the results of their action we readily admit the superiority of some in dignity and importance. The callings of life also have their comparative value, and exert their respective influences in the economy of the world's progress. Beyond the claims of the personal dignity of the individual, and of integrity and honor which should be cultivated in every profession, there are grounds of distinction in the results of his labors. It makes very little difference with the progress of humanity, whether a shoemaker displays great skill in his craft, or whether he be an awkward fellow. The result in either case will be the commendation or curses of a few dozen pimps and dandies. But the man on whose skill and energy the permanent improvement, the mental growth of large numbers of human beings depends, has a higher destiny.

The noblest object for which any man can live is, without doubt, the cultivation of that part of him which is imperishable. It is the mind that governs and directs us in all things, and if we would have our lives well ordered, and would be wisely governed, we should seek first of all, generous mental culture. The many ills to which we are subject, and the troubles and vexations with which our lives are beset, result principally from ignorance. If we look

Man created for improvement. Mental development only begun in this life.

abroad in the world, we see those classes of society enjoying least of the rational pleasures of life who have least knowledge. Those nations and tribes are most barbarous and brutish who are the most ignorant. Self interest and present gratification, if these only were consulted, would confirm us in this opinion.

The teachings of Providence point us to the same conclusion. We are created with the special design of improving our gifts. Had this not been the purpose of our existence, the Creator would have endowed us with instinct, and thus have put us for ever under the control of an iron necessity, like the beast of the field, the bird of the air, and the insect that flutters in the sunbeam. These can not improve their gifts, and they have no need of improvement. The cattle of to-day know no more than the cattle in the time of Abraham. The bird builds her nest, and the bee fashions its cell, as they did at creation's dawn. Were these to live a thousand years they would develop no new faculties, they would make no improvement. Their knowledge is just sufficient for their needs. They eat, and sleep, and then lie down to die. But not so with the soul of man. It is endowed with faculties susceptible of indefinite expansion and improvement. At the earliest dawn of existence development begins, and from infancy to trembling age, he may by diligence and judicious

Obstacles to universal culture.

Lord Bacon.

culture, add strength and knowledge to his increasing stores. The accumulations of the fathers may be handed down to the sons, and thus from generation to generation, and from age to age, the soul of man, profiting by all that has been before it, may go on growing in strength and increasing in knowledge to the last syllable of recorded time.

There is a

Nor does development cease here. more exalted view that opens beyond. The teachings of Nature and the direct testimony of Revelation unite in proof, that the mortal life of man is but the beginning of his mental training. It is only the childhood to that more perfect development which shall succeed. It will be the business of eternity to unfold the height and depth of that knowledge which we can here see but dimly, and with a vision obscured by all those weaknesses to which flesh is heir. Our best acquirements are comparatively infantile and weak. The farther we advance in knowledge only makes our weakness and folly more apparent; for the light which we gain, serves to show the boundless extent of that which remains to be learned, and leads us to that which it is not possible for us to know with our present light. The shortness of life prevents us from prosecuting at length those subjects even which our present powers and helps fit us to pursue. The great majority of mankind are pre

Does God create for naught?

Employments in the future.

vented by their position in society, by the necessity they are under of toiling early and late for the maintenance of themselves and families, from devoting the small space of this life to the development of their spiritual natures. But the man who gives his life to study is only able to master a few of the elements of knowledge. Look at the mind of such a man as Lord Bacon! Possessed of a comprehension and a grasp which seemed to look upon the laws of the material world as with the eye of a God! which seemed to range the universe at will, and pointed out those sound rules of investigation which have conducted to the splendid triumphs of modern science, and have reared so proud a trophy to his name! And yet he felt when he died that he had but just entered the vestibule of knowledge; that he had only torn aside a few of the obstructions from the field of discovery, and had set up an occasional landmark to point the way; that he had only picked up a few pebbles upon the sea-shore, while its great caverns were full of hidden things and mysteries, which his earnest mind was thirsting to discover when he was called away! And does God create for naught? Does that Being bestow such gifts without granting the means for their improvement? Though we but commence their cultivation in the brief period that is alloted to us in life, we

Spiritual improvement our highest duty.

Dignity of the Profession.

are impelled to the belief by every principle of human judgment, that abundant opportunity will be afforded for the full development of all our faculties, and the comprehension of unbounded knowledge. What more worthy occupation can employ our mental powers in a future state? Our physical needs will then be at an end, for our employments will only pertain to pure spirit. There will then be no occasion for all that labor which is bestowed in acquiring lands, and houses, and costly furniture, and in answering those demands which are made upon us by fashion and the eyes of other people. For, if our lives have been consistent with His will, we shall live in mansions that are prepared for us, we shall need no protection or rest, for it is eternal sunshine and summer; we are dressed in the white robes of purity, and the only occupations in which we can be engaged will be such as pertain to us as pure intelligences.

We see then that the cultivation of the mind is the noblest work we can accomplish for ourselves; that its results are unlimited in extent and unending in duration; that we derive from this the highest gratification which a human being is capable of enjoying; that we thus begin that work of development and improvement, for the attainment of which we are without doubt expressly created; and that we