The Ohio Democrat and Dover advertiser. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1839-1840, 1840-07-10
From the N. Y, F. Post.

LYCEUM SYSTEM. - Few are aware of
the extent, the perfection, the power, of the
"Lycenm System" Its field is the world. 1t
embraces in Its operations. and its blessings,
every portion Of the human family. 1t calls in
to exercise all the powers, physical, intellectu>
al, social, and moral Of humBn beings. Il
brings TO its service every science, and every
subject Of human knowledge. II not only EN-
braces all the interests of the human family in
time, but takes hold on eternity.
Such being the extent, the operations. the OBJ
jects. and the blessings Of the general machin-
cry of LYceum, it is necessarily composed OF
numerous wheels, moving IN different and dis
tant places, IN various directions, and with al
most every degree Of velocity and poweR
Although each wheel, because sel-moving
and voluntary in its actions, has an indepen>
dent motion of its own, still receives additions
al vigour from every other part of the machine,
and in its turn imparts power and success to all
the rest 1t is iavorte sentiment with the
founder Of the LYceum system, that "among
all the classes and forms Of Lyceums, the fans
lily is the most beautiful, and The most perfect,
because il is Divine; being directly ordained by
God, as it is founded in the highest interests,
and the purest and hOliest affections of our mas
tures."
Intimately connected, and almost identified
with "Family Lyceums," are Social I.yceums,
composed ofseveral families in the same neigh
borhood. In aid Of these, are village, town.
county, state and national Lyceums-lhere is
also Universal Lyceum, embracing all na-
tions.
There are besides, Juvenile and School
Lyceums, as we'll as Mothers Female &
Young Mems Lyceums; Farmers Mechanics,
Teachers, Merchants, Physicians, Clergymen'
and Lawyers Lyceums; Glass, Conference 4
Missionary Lyceums, exist not only in theory
but in practical operation.
Besides these, are iyceums founded.,on iht
subjects they are intended to investigate; sucf
as botany, mineralogv, chemistry, history, mu-
sic, elocution, or any other science or art.'
For the accommodation ofIyceums, building
. are erected, apparatus procured and devised
books purchased, excursions taken, cabinets
formed, and almost innumerable instruments
natural and artificial, brought into use befor
unknown or fallen into disuse.
For conducting their operations. family lyce
ums hold regular meetings three times daily a
the table, and still more frequently perhaps a
tHO hc5luo, VI uOuHu oOIh0 OtnoI udtlestl
board. Social lyceums hold weekly or semi
weekly meetings. Village and town lyceum
meet monthly or ofener.-Coun,y lyceum
have their quarterly meetings, and the needing
of the State and National lyceums are annual
with special meetings for each as occasion ma
call for them.
The strong feature in the whole system
helping others while we arc more highly bent
fited ourselves and receiving both
things material and immaterial: in production
of matter, and productions of mind and the'
of every variety. This feature ID the stronges
or most rapidly developed where it is Tea
thought Of and perhaps wholly disregarde
, viz. in family and social circles.
Sometimes, too, alas the salutary- y-tenden'
of social 'lyceums' is reversed and instead
!, good, evil is acquired and conveyed. How n
I ny thousands of young men in the exercise
a supposed generosity at their 'tipplug lyceur
have entered the door to disgrace, misery al
: eternal ruin How many have travelled she
3 and rapid road to destruction, through horse r
, ing and card playing lyceums How impc
n tant thor, that wo encourage in youth IN intt
:, est in those lycoums wlch cultivate the mi
J and improve the heart
II, O. SHELDON.