New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-12-10
nna.i,,a NJ. CinY.

From this GinClnnatl NouphIcl W. 4
Such rush to hear u lecture was never before
witnessed in this city, as crowded to tue door o.
College Hall last night. The sidewalk aud gang
ways were densely thronged until alter the large
hall was completely filled above and below
We did not arrive until the hail was entirely
filed and the lecturer had advanced Soihe ui"u'e9
in his discourse.
When We entered the hall, Mr. Clay was clos
ing his remarks on the different theories OF morals
that have been advanced by various philosophers
in different ages Of the world. He had reviewed.
the opinions OF the ancients-the stole inc as
catic. the cynic and Epicurean, and was discussing
the moral system OF Benthani-that these aots
are moral which produce the greatest happiness
both TO the actor ana his fellow man RMS "
called the greatest happiness principle Of
Bentham. This theory was thought defective,
because it discarded benevolence We arc 80
pause according to Bentham, and Coony feaeoE
whether the act to which we may be prompted
by our benevolence, will in the end be beneficial
one The speaker could not admit this-tor We
should permit the benevolent sentimeht to guido
us without reference to the Interior results.
The lecturer then proceeded to speak OF tho
"regous theory OF moras--to wit, that our
sole standard OF morality or virtue, 10 the will OF
God" He did not 0bect to this; but would
spectfully ask how we to know the will OF Cody
Among the 800 different sects, no two agree as
To the will OF God on any one question. 1a0h
man therefore, is left to seek that will in his
reflections and spiritual consciousness.
The lecturer spoke with great freedom concern
lug some OF the old theological doctrines drawn
from the Bible. The ignorance of men had given
every false Interpretation to the Bible For OK
ample, the book was once thought to teach that
the earth was stationary md the sun revoved
around it but aconce had proved the reverse.
and old theology was compelled after struggle
to yield
Geology too ind showed that the six days of the
the creation must be xtcndcd far beyond the
period Of six siderial lays for instead OF the
earth and all things therein being made in sx
DAYS il was highly probable that more than as
many millions Of years were occupied In develop
ing The physical world preparatory to the habita-
ton of man. The recession Of the Falls Of Nj
agara favored this.
Another doctrine Of old Theology which hs con.
demned that Of total depravity. He con-
tended that man cannot be totally depraved
long as he is capable of performing good act. II
he be unable, said he, to do good, he must also
be held incapable OF performing bad one.
Infant damnation predestnation and fDre0rdi-
nation were equally absurd in the lecturers opin.
ion and from these and other absurd doctrines has
sprung the most absurd theories OF morals.
The lecturer then spoke OF the atonement-
This idea grew ont of the ignorance OF mankind
in an early age Men thought that these things
which were pleasing 10 themselves, would be so to
their Gods, and hence it was practice among
the Jews the Greeks and all the ancient naticns,
to sacrifice to their gods
Christ ls said TO have htoned Tor the SINS OF the
world by his death. The lecturer could see no
other merit in this, than that which follows ali
bold assertions oil truth, which result in martyr
dom. It is glorious TO die for the truth, bet it Is
more gior0us TO live for it. In his course we nave
an example to follow and that example sustained
by the truth he taught is our Redeemer.
What should we think OF the Judge vine shootd
send an innocent man TO punishment in place o.
the guilty We might praise man who should
offer TO die for his friend, but should feel dif-
lerently OF the rank injustice of forcing one to die
TO. another whose crimes demanded his death.
No, love thy neighbor as thyself and thy God
with al! thy heart is the sure key to all genuine
morality, and an obedience to this law is the only
Here we left, and Of course did not here the
conclusion OF tho discourse. |. was eztempo.
rarioqa and well though somewhat dryly spoken