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potent & far-reaching power. It is an old saying, that the "pen is mightier than the sword": & there is a great deal of truth in those old maxims. The sword is only servicible upon the field of batte; while the pen sways its power in times of war as well as in the day of peace. Its teachings are not confined to anyone current of the literary art. These teachings are brought to bear upon life in all its relations: upon that which is true & beautiful: & that which is low & debasing. Boldly it sets its seal upon the principles of art & science; unclear it gives its opinion upon politics & the many thories of religious beleif; & often it speaks forth with a power that touches, & thrills as it were the great throbbing heart of the nations. At certain times & under peculiar circumstances, this potent influence has been felt & widely acknowledged, all along the path of past ages, up to the present period. And no it will be while there remains a hand to wield the pen: & as long as the human language is spoken.. When we think of this, & note the many evidences of this singular power, it is to be regreted that the teachings of the gifted pen are not more generally devoted to the temporal & spiritual interests of mankind. It would be better for the world at large, if we could see more frequently unclear we do, those stated instances, in which we have every reason to