Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-01-21
REPORTED FoR THE GszErTr
MARTINaBuK G LIEF AKl AsSOgIA.


MARTINsBuKG LIEF AIRY AssOCiA-
':".oa.
I On WeJnesda, Evening. the 18th inst. we
had the pleasure oflisteEing to the first lecture
delivered before this association By the Rev'd
WIN. II. COFFIN and The large and respeca
bic audience IN attendance must have been not
only gratifying to the learned lecturer. and the
/ Association, but il was strong proof OF the
value at which our community held this plan
of dispensing information to the people.
1 The subject Of MIR. CoFFIN's lecture was
"Ciyhizaion.' and The lecture embodied SO
many facts that any thing Ike far analysis
OF it cannot be given. Yet we think il due TO
those who were absent 10 lay as much as we
can before them, IN order that they may have
some idea OF the rich treat which they missed.
| lie introduced his subject by referring to the
age 10 which we lived as remarkable Tor its de-
termncd activity and 10 the Church as being
IN great measure separated from all that so
long prolaned il; and to our Country, fast ap-
preaching that high state of civilization 10
which j; is destined, although its approaches
We're frequently made by fllul strides Ref
erence was then made to the numerous obsta-
Giles and difficulties with which civilization
had TO contend; and 10 the prevailing error
that "llteratgrc and science Were ail-Sutiicient
to secure all thar is necessary ior the eviliZa-
ton OF the world" He showed that progress
in the "soclety" depended on the progress IN in
dividuals )" and that MiND. though il might
lie dormant for time. villa length breast
every surrounding shackle. and reveal itself in
all its strength, and in all lis glory.
The lecturer then dwell with much force on
the principles on which ancient governments
were founded. He introduced the Theocracy
al, - c.
and spoke Of the dlversltes of human eharac-
ter; and conlrasted in powerful way the diff
| lerent stages Of civilization which have marked
the different ages and sections Of the old
world. These he connected with the convul-
sions and revolutions in society. by which
governments, from the earliest ages were es-
tablished. and in succession overthrown; and
proved that Kingdoms, and nations wanting the
grand conserya alive principle CHRISTIANITY
must, as they ever have done, fall BY The tyran-
nv of the few. or by the anarchy of the many.
| The early Republics filling to recognise the
grand principles Of 1i7ah, and justice as Mc ba
sis of national character. dsd relying too conf
deRtlp upon their physical resources for Sdeiy
and protection gradually decliaei ,gtiid merci-
less dcspolism rGs founded on Tie ruins Of Lib
erty And it was reserved for the Blrbarians
OF the North Of Europe to teach mankind, that
1.-The necessity OF guarding conquestS, made
bg claiming the ranqasi,ed oppreSsor. would
create a tyranny far nIoIe formidable than the
one il had subveried. This fact he illustrated
| by the Feudal system; and the Feudal lords
havAg established governments proieSsedly
for the promotion of Individual happiness. and
the protection Of civil rights, made these very
governments the instruments OF oyerihrowng
the one. and of divestng man Of his rights
altogether. Then for d tme-during the md
die ages--the spirit Of civilization seemed dead.
And white the political umpires Of the world
| flattered themselves HAT they had made MINp
their imprisoned victim, and MAN their ire
deemable slave. the dawn OF more brighter,
and more glorious Era broke in upon the Wis
ion of the aStonished nations. The age OF
''rilts and Tournaments" was replete with the
germ OF every virtue. Industry anu Enter
prise were encouraged; and the aStonished
slave Of the eleventh century was al length
taught that ''there was might in MIND; thai
tie ethereal spark did often glow with as
much vigor. and purity in the PEASANTS breast,
as beneath the gorgeous purple and royal er-
mine.
he next referred to the fact Of all govern
ments claiming their origin from divine
source. And proved that the great defect in
the philosophy OF all civilization, was the omis-
sion Of Christianity as the fundamental princi-
/ pie Of govrru,nent. This he proved by a
comparison Of Chn.1 in It's slow progress OF
civilization, with its younger nelghbors where
Christianity exer,ed her enlig hte,.lng influence.
! He here brought forward "six eler..enls" as
necessary TO civilization, OF which we remGm-
Der The Comforts Of Life :" domestic and
/ Personal Security, both Of Properly and Char
acter :" "Cultivation of the Arts and Scen
ces )" and the Diffusion of knowledge :" al.
so Charitable Institutions" In comparing
nation with nation, and Illustrating by many
interesting and wonderful facts, he occupied
the undivided attention Of his audience for
half an hour. fully proving that that Country
which had most OF vital godliness, possessed
IN the largest amount the six elements" ne
ceSsary 10 civilization, and was consequently
the larhest advanced in civilization.
We feel sorry for those who did not attend,
and hear for themselves 1t was the case too,
that great many came in when the lecture
was half over. We hope that many more
will attend in future, and that they ,rhI come at
the hour, as there are no prellmnareS to he
gone through before the delivery Of the lecture.
We understand the great object in lew by the
Association, is 10 break up the dull monolany
OF our Martins6urg Winter, in the most plea
sing, and the most instructive manner; and
surely our citizens will give every encourage
ment in their power TO this laudable underta-
king. Most heartily do we wish them all sue
cess.
The Rev. DR.. PLuMER took his final leave
Of his large and devoted congregation on Sun
day night The scene was deeply affecting,
andsob were apdIble in all partS OF the Church