One has only to look at the character of the same periodical from the time he left it until now, to be convinced that his place has never been supplied; that the same amount of concentrated interest has never, to this date, been awakened; and, when we reflect on the energy, the life and the hope its pages inspired in the communities whose sentiments it faithfully pleaded, we are strikingly reminded that on earth nothing is so valuable as a _man_, and that no cause is ever mighty except through decision, through force of character and force of expression, in setting forth the ideas and principles which may enlighten and save. CHAPTER XVIII. GENERAL VIEWS. ON EDUCATION.--The first time I had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with Mr. Badger, was in January, 1835, at Canton, N. Y.; and among the several topics on which he conversed during the few days we were together, was the subject of education. He then said:-- "Every human being should be educated. All young men who are seeking to be useful in public life should be educated. But there are certain evils to be avoided in the means we pursue. Every human being, to improve in a natural way, requires a certain amount of physical exercise. To shut one's self up among books without walking and suitable activity is the certain road to weakness." He said he had been trying to mature a plan of education for young ministers, of which he should speak at some future time. He said that ministers gain no power by becoming dry scholars; that they should be _living, natural_ men, to be profited by science and literature. I noticed, in all subsequent interviews, that he never seemed to want scientific culture, at the expense of naturalness, spirituality, and sound health. It was Horace Mann, I think, who more recently said, that a dyspeptic stomach is an abomination to the Lord. Mr. Badger substantially stood upon this text, in his educational views, many years ago.