Article #61 - Devoted to Education

        Locust Grove Journal

            Devoted to Education

Issued Monthly by the Pocopson Literary Association               No. 1

In endeavouring to fulfil the destiny of the appointment as editor of this number of the Journal, I feel the necessity for want of experience in such buisiness [sic] to makeing [sic] an apology for failing to select matter as suited to make it the means of promoting the object to which its publication is devoted; but however little it may effect this end, the hearty thanks of the Editor are given to those who have kindly contributed to its pages.

                                    F. D? G?

The News of the present month is that there are discoveries about being made which are useful and important to man, materially to influence his condition and happiness. The matter belonging to this department of [the] Journal then will receive close attention.

Notice

Joseph B. Phillips will lecture before the Hammerton [sic] Lyceum on first day afternoon June 9th at 3 o’clo.

The Penns Grove Lyceum meets on the first first day in each month.

As the designer of the Journal, and the man[n]er in which it shall be conducted, have not been fully set forth and as it is the duty of the Association to make such regulations, the following communication a portion of which is devoted to the consideration of these points may not be inappropriate.

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                        Marlborough May 1851

Friend Editor,     Ever feeling an interest in human reform and progress, and hoping that the journal may be promotive of these ends, the esteemed privilege of occasional correspondence will ever be a scource [sic] of pleasure. I regret that our reading circle which is a scource of knowledge and improvement meets on the same afternoon as your Association; but think I will be present at your meeting. The spirit of improvement seems still to be with us. The Order of the sons of Temperance lately started here seems prosperous, and destined to aid in bringing about the happy end it has in view. The subject most engrossing the public mind at present in this neighborhood is the knockings or spiritual revelations. The belief that a communication with departed spirits is being manifested is fast obtaining, so much so that preparations are being made to have those who hold spiritual communications to visit our village. In view of this permit me here to express a sentiment in relation to this subject. There was a time when it seemed possible to make almost any impression on the mind, or influence almost any belief as to the origin or cause of things that could not be comprehended, but since the progress of science has revealed the laws by which the cause of many things once regarded as miraculous, or depending upon some supernatural power are understood, superstition is fast vanishing, and reason is being exercised in the formation of opinion and belief. I have devoted but little attention to the subject of the knockings, as a lover of truth and witnessing the evils resulting from a belief in false doctrines and theories, I trust that too hasty conclusions will not be drawn, and would for the benefit of all interested in the subject and particularly those disposed to believe in the reality of this mysterious character, take this opportunity of calling their attention to the consideration of an article published in a paper Spirit World No. 16 headed Queries and signed Inquirer; which all may have an opportunity of scanning.

            Yrs resply         T. S. J.

Time is passing go where we may we cannot excape [sic] it, act as we may we cannot increase the small portion which is our legacy. Is it of any importance then how we employ that time, have we yet felt the necessity of directing a course of life. What do we know of ourselves, have we yet considered ourselves as moral and intellectual beings and felt the importance of moral and intellectual development; have we estimated the benefits of knowledge and the importance of promoting universal education. What have we learned of the nature of our feelings and thoughts and to what extent they are influenced by external circumstances and conditions, have we learned the relation that exists between the mind and body and how the state and condition of one influence that of the other. Have [we] looked at the present condition of the world and witnessed the amount of human suffering the cause of which can be removed. Have we yet conceived that man is to rise higher and higher in the scale of perfection and being. If in reference to those things we have yet felt that we have a duty to perform, do we believe in the saying that where there is a will there is a way, and that in all thing[s] progress and success follows effort to progress and attain.

                                                A.

The learned Blacksmith makes the following inquiry of Boys. Did you ever think that this great world with all its wealth and woe, with all its mines and mountains, seas, and rivers, with all its shipping steamboats, railroad, and magnetic telegraphs, with all its millions of darkly groping men, and all the science and progress of ages, will soon be given over to the boys of the present age – boys like you assembled in your schoolrooms, or playing without them on both sides of the alantic [sic]. Believe it and look ahead on your inheritance and get ready to enter upon its possession. The Kings, Presidents, Governors, Statesmen, Philosophers, Ministers, Teachers, Men of the future, all are boys whose feet like yours cannot reach the floor when seated on the benches upon which they are learning to master the syllables of their respective languages.

Knowledge cannot be acquired without pains and application. It is troublesome, and like deep digging for pure waters, but when once you come to the spring they rise up to meet you.

Accurate knowledge is the basis of correct opinions; the want of it makes most peoples opinions of little value.

The Unite is the name of a very mysterious paper published monthly in New York, the Editor of which assumes to have knowledge of a law by which he is enabled to know the whole character of every person he may chance to meet with in a short interview.

The communication from our friend J. D. E. A. is deemed too lengthy for this number of the journal.