The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-03-01 00:00:00

ID orsttsbirt.

WltTllol:lll.—Lit.svirm and Scienfillc frutitigloa„
—A lecture was delivered on Woilliteidcy evening,
by On Rev. J. flirt, on "Social l'rogres&" The
chair was taken by the Heir. W. Lewis. The
lecum, at the commencement stated that it was of
the utsuost consequence to aVuill all mistaken views
toll this important subject. lie tlwis proceeded to
inquire what are the true eh:incubi of social progress ;
sea in order to al rave at at correct idea of these we
might take the taw of an individual, and conai,lerins
what is necessary for his welfare, and 14 hat 0.114 l•
tut,' his true advancement and deeelapumnt, am'
Apply these principles to society, we shall th, is arrive
st the real elements of social progreu. Man does 114
make ally real iblvancement, mikes his improvement
is intellectuall All well am material. For example, nn
individual may be possessor of a princely fortune, and
oTry teordly advantage, but h. may be far below his
poor cottage neighbour, who dOVOtCn his hours to
51111 stores his ut i ... I with iiiformat. ; and in
saine manner material advantages alone do not ,
eonstitiate the real elements of sucial progress. A
perusal of history will more clearly prove this point,
for we Mid that the empires which originally derive t
their strength from the simplicity of their manner,
ellen they advanced in luxury and reainement,
retrograded and sunk beneath the power alt thoee
natious whom they despised and termed barbezians.
.1 seconil element is completeness and progreits„ if
rtwl, would he manifested in every section ofsociety,
or a fearful *chitin must ensue. Freedom of action
ita.s • third clement necuisary to social progress.
Without this all other advantages are of no avail.
I,,t,rmuree with others is also another important
(.lement, and it is this feature which has contluced
much to reutler the present generation e highly
olotated than their predecessors, though perhaps we
are not so studious with regard to book-reading as
oar ancestors were. The lecturer then proceeded to
*bow what are the indications of wend program at
present manifested. These are the spirit of reform
which is au general throughout the country, the
alliailtra and variety of the popular leaders, the
great spirit of enterprise, and particularly the
charitable institutions. Ile then consi,lt red the
cvils which retard the social progress of the nation,
and au ~,,, g these were the mistaken idea still pruvail•
int( amongst us that the people are governed not for
their own advantage, hut for that of their rulers; the
false notion that " progress" and revolution are almost
synonymous ; and the absurd ambition of imitating
•' high life." 'Chu grand impediment, however, is
in the indisposition of the people themselves to
progreu ; but it is • duty incumbent on every one to
seek is own advancement, both in a ml, intellectual,
and religious Genie. As long as we progress socially,
and strive above all tliings to attain that riglitcsnime
sows" which exalteth a nation," our position will be
impregnable, and we have no reason to fear the pre.
parations of foreign enemies ; but if we deteriorate in
our national character, from that time England will
be ready to fall • prey to every foe. At the conch'.
sion of the lecture the Chairman moved the usual
vote of thanks, which waa cordially acquiesced in by
the audience.

ST MARV'S (limit —A list has been printed and
circulated amongst the congregation of st. Mary's,
containing a statement of the sums contributed by
them for religious and charitable purposes glaring
the year In. As. From this it appears that the total
amount is 2:500 9t. 34a. including the offerings at
the Sacraments, and a small sum front the boxes
placed at the church doors. The rector alluded to
this matter, after the sermon on Sunday evening
week, pointing out to the congregation that only
shout /129 of the money e:mtributed hail been ile-
voted to distant objects— • circumstance which
afforded It oimpel e Mutation Or the *litlitierolli elle-
,odion that the local charities were neglected. Allow.
tug 1:1151 as the pn.porti..ll contributed by the visi•
tors, and calculating the average attendance at st.
Mary's to be two thousand, he chewed that the re-
mainder might be distributed among the congrega•
tion at the rate of about four shillings iv r annum, or
A penny a week to each member ; hut he was con•
vincegl that a great many in the congregation con-
tributed literally nothing to the work of God, either
at home or abroad, and this he consideregl to be a
great sin. Persons were opt to imagine they gave
a great deal away, but if they kept an account 44
thcir donations. he believed it very likely they would
find thou much les than they thought. The rev.
gentleman also announced his intention of leaving
Weyn ~, th for • short period, and stated that glur•
Mg In. absence a collection would be made towards
the contemplated new organ, a plan of which would
Ire laid before them, calculated to meet the require-
ments of the church. -

roLicr, 31.MDAT.--(liefore the *arm (P. Dodson.,)
and E. itayly, Emirs.) —ireistoraer Goma, a sailor,
war clinrge 1 with being drunk and making a diaturbsnee
at the' Royal Oak" inn, on Sunday evening ; also with
resisting the police. Prisoner was at the Hopi( Oak,
drinking. and Ming very noiny, the landlord Mr. Taprell,
ord.•red hin to leave, but he retuned. After mime time,
however, he went out, and the door wan !dint, whoi he
conimence.l kicking very violently at the door, and was
given into custody. He offered au much redstanoe, that
en additional *instable wan found necessary to convey
him to the station. Fur the arsault on the police he was
Moil eve shillings.

TUVADAT.--(Prement : The Mayor, E. Bayley. Esq.,
and J. Ayling, romprms was A.initnom.4
for an aAaault on Jane Phillips, her la.rirant. Mr. IL N
Howard appeared for the defendant. The Mayor
endeavoured to induce the partiesto %elite the matter
privately. Mr. Howard on the 'mart of his client denied
the charge agnia‘t her. The parties then retired, and
after • consultation of about half An hour, defendant's
husband Aasouneed to the Court that the dispute was
amicably arranged.