Mental and Moral Culture, and Popular Education (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from Mental and Moral Culture, and Popular Education

IN the present awakened state of the public mind in reference to education, every thing connected with a subject of such magnitude and importance becomes peculiarly interesting. The indifference which has heretofore prevailed in reference to our institutions of elementary Instruction is indeed surprising, but not more so than the disregard manifested towards a variety of other subjects connected With the developement and cultivation of the intellectual and moral faculties of our nature. The truth is, the great principles which lie at the foundation of the mental improve ment of our species have not been brought home to the masses of the community, with a force at all proportional to their importance, or in a manner adapted to their clear comprehension. The most ignorant are, in general, the most selfish; and even in those rare cases where no higher motives can be appealed to than those of individual and personal interest, serious inquiry, followed by ener getic action in the direction leading to the portals of knowledge and wisdom, will be almost sure to ensue from a skilful application of the selfish principle to the objects, means, and ends of existence. Convince the man who aspires to nothing higher than mere worldly wealth, and who apparently lives for no other or greater Object than the gratification of his animal nature, that the enjoyment of uninterrupted health deprnds upon the Observance of certain con ditions, the greater part of which are subject to his own control, and he becomes at once a student of physiology, and will, in due time, in all human probability, ascend in the scale of intellect and civilization, until he becomes an enlightened and useful member of society. Convince him, also, that the uniform practice of virtue and morality, in all the varied relations of life, is not only compati ble with the acquisition and enjoyment of wealth, and the rational gratification of the physical appetites and wants, but absolutely indispensable to their continued and secure enjoyment, and he becomes at once a moral and benevolent man. In like manner.

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