Article #50 - #53

The following articles, 50-53, are stitched together with thread.

50

            Let not the Godlike perish within us!

            Life immortal was given unto the Soul, being a radiation of divinity, bodily enshrined in the innumerable individuals composing mankind; who through growth and development, more nearly resemble and become allied, to the great omniscient Original, or so unfold and be perfected by good deeds and true lives, as to be worthy participators of a divine eternal heritage. What a goal for the beacon of Faith to delineate and illumine; what a priceless Jewel entrusted to each earthly pilgrim, yet how few are mindful, to bring forth and preserve its lustre untarnished and spotless, amid the soil and din of business. Who daily gives heed to the demands and requirements, of that inner life whose aspirations, no human tone or language has ever made ?vocal? but is known only through feeling even as the sunlight and dews manifest their presence

to surrounding vegetation, noiseless but with a brighter green or who pauses in the hur[r]ying current of events, to contemplate the intimate relation between the material organism, and the vital principle which it enshrines, in order that their just relations be ma[i]ntained, and neither be the defiling usurper.

            It is true there are many physical necessities which rightly claim much of our attention, yet in their transactions we should not become so engrossed as to lose that acuteness of spiritual harmony and perception, which should ever be increasing as knowledge lights our pathway with still brighter radiance however dim it may be when compared with that which eye hath not seen, ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart to conceive but alas too frequently may unwarily lose that better guidance and it passes from them, blunted, and absorbed in oft recurring anxi[e]ties though not rightfully do the cares of the world that enco[u]age the heart that creations of purity and beauty cannot there be reflected. But it may also be averred that the demands of duty are imperious, whether or not they tend to mental elevation, and such they justly should be, for who would wish to evade or imperfectly perform a task so clearly incumbent, as to be conscience directed, for by obeying the injunction of that indwelling monitor do we not conform to that grand government of eternal justice and order, made evident through the sensitive medium of mind, whose innate love of perfect conditions should be enough to insure fulfilment. Nor should the happiness naturally arising from duties well accomplished ever be marred by murmurs or wearing complaints of plans unexecuted, or partly effected, from which more immediate

beneficial results were anticipated, or rather the traces of improvement more readily discerned. But in whatever adverse or embar[r]assing positions circumstances should gird us about as an almost inevitable decree. Yet still hope and faith should lead us above and beyond the dominion of doubt and mystery where in dust and darkness we have descended from the influence

of that which ennobles which enervates, which strengthens, and pine mid the fetters of varying fortune. Alas! that earthly conditions should so veil the loveliness of that immortal germ, so holy and pure in the beginning, or so sadly desecrate its sanctuary. But yield not to despair, ever being determinate patient and considerate in the preservation of that which is so precious, and to

lowering inclinations and defacing tendencies give not sway, but be strong in their opposition and faithful (even as reminded) unto the end that the Godlike may never perish. For what though in the hours of day the gush of sunlight pass unheeded, remember the night star hath its beam, and Christ abideth in all his works unchanging unchanged and the spirit though linked with that which continueth not long, may gather and twine its wreath of immortal flowers.

                                    Solitaire

51

            For the Journal

            I have ever found it the best policy after making a projection for a certain day or time,

to carry into prosecution at the ar[r]ival of that time the labour set apart for it.

            Having some weeks ago concluded to visit Ercildoun Lyceum at its next regular meeting, I felt that there was something urged me to be faithful to bemy own conscience and fail not.

            The day at last ar[r]ived and at mid-day we had a very strong breeze from the upper regions but ever anxious to fulfil my promise I changed my rags, fed the animal with a fair portion of berries from branbles of the Rubus specie, with a small quantity of the old ??cow  at the temperature of a few degrees from Zero, then as the dutchmen would say, hung the ??Goul to the light cart, and off slid at the rate of about four knots an hour.

            It is said that a merciful man is he who is merciful to his trust, so with this upon my mind, I endeavoured to exercise much patience toward my travelling companion, yet we did not enter into conversation on any of the great questions of the day, but depend upon it there was a little thinking done on numerous subjects. The road reminded me of an anecdote of one of the curley [sic] headed sons of Liberia who upon inquiring the distance to a certain town, was

informed that it was just five miles; and after advancing one mile inquired again, when he

was told that it was just six miles. Well says the African I think this road must be made of

Indian Rubber, for the farther I go the longer it gets. And to make the best of it in my ??tower ??tour there was such a stiff breeze from my warmest friend though millions of miles intervene, that this elastic highway was distended much beyond its ordinary length, but by patience and perseverance I at length attained the place of destination.

            It is a very common expression during the winter season to say, that it is cold enough to freeze the horns off of a muley cow – but Jack, this day was warm enough to roast a muley cow, horns and all.

            The place of holding the Lyceum is in a building known as the peoples hall, which is very suitable for such business. The members I think were a little late about meeting yet they made up all losses when they commenced operation.

            I shall not attempt to give you a full description of the proceedings, as their order of business bears a strong resemblance to ours, but fellow members let me tell you, though Iwould feign to discourage you in the least, that our Lyceum is but mere moonshine compared with theirs. The organ sounded long and well on numerous airs, which were not at all wild and imaginary which tend to excite for the time of their reading only, but each line breathed fourth [sic] in some eloquent language much truth and philosophy. Unlike ours its colum[n]s teemed with origional [sic] poetry which reflected much credit on their authors. Among many particulars which it would afford me pleasure to relate if time would permit, there is one from which a portion of our members no doubt would learn a valuable lesson. That is in regard [to] voting. When there was a question put to the members, all appeared to be interested, and freely

participated in settling the question by an assenting or dissenting voice. The ladies I must say are well prepared to enjoy the many benefits that would result from their possession of the right of the elective franchize [sic] and I feel confident that if a few of our members of the finer sex were to hear them vote, that they would no longer sit speachless [sic] as a horse-block, as a number of our members have been for a long time. And better still, the ladies are not so backward and diffident but what they can speak to the business of the meeting, and enter into arguments upon difficult questions with that degree of independence and assurance due to their sex. So hensefourth [sic] I hope the ladies of our association may follow their example, and not depend too much upon their neighbours.

            As I can talk much faster and easier than I can write I will endeavour to satisfy the curiosity of any member who feels anxious to obtain further information concerning their manner of conducting the Lyceum, at any time we may perchance to meet. Yet I feel that it would be doing injustice to the members of the association for me to stop here. Their intellectual feast relished well indeed, and so long as I am a coadjutor in the great cause of mental improvement, I shall ever look back in my retrospecive journey to by gone times and mark this as a memorable day in my earthly career. The hospitality and sociability of its members towards strangers is well worthy of notice. The stiff and nonsensical formalities of fashionable society are unheeded, and they mingle with strangers with the feelings congenial to their natural disposition.

                        The But[c]her Boy

52

            Wanted

A number of handsome, intelligent, wealthy health[y], and enterprising farmers daughters of Chester County to migrate immediately to the prairies of Illinois to enguage [sic] in the domestic

affairs, of raising calves, feeding swine, splitting their own oven wood and carrying their own water &c. None but those possessing the above qualities and willing to volunteer in such an honourable vocation need apply.

53

            For the Journal

            Though I have not been officially authorized to advertise the Lyceum conventions which is to be held at Sweet Springs on the 14th of next month, yet I presume it would not be out of place for me to enlighten the readers of your paper upon this point as far as I am able. The programme of business is established by Home Ville Lyceum and of course all associations may expect to yield to it. I was under the impression at one time that there was to be a platform erected and dansing [sic] would be part of the amusement but I have since been informed

by a prominent member of the association that such would not be the case. All members therefore should be on their guard against intimating any thing of the kind, for should we perchance induce any one to attend who prefers the exercise of the heels to that of the brain or who has by long continued practice of the lower souls has rendered them the seat of the nervous system and thinking apparatus, for they undoubtedly would feel like a fish out of water though they should be at a convention at Sweet Springs. It is to be conducted on the pick-nick or number

one principle, which of cource[sic] will be the most convenient when we take all into consideration.

                                     A. Member