New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-27

attempted 10 carry out. Calvin did not institute
many political changes, however. He retained
the Government which he found at Geneva. which
was aristocratic He had no faith in the people
no svmpathy with their ordinary views-no re-
spect for the wisdom of cOngregated masses.
IL was as a TheOogian. Mr. Lord maintained,
that he was most distinguished, although his sys
tenn was characterized not so much for adopting
any new views, as in carrying out some OF the
favorte doctrines Of the Augustinisn dvines
His system is remarkable for logical power aud
clear an aysis, which he supported with wonderful
diaectical skill. His views were similar to Au-
gustin, Bernard, Gottschalk and Luther on the
general doctrines Of depravity and justification.
But his peculiar doctrine was that of election aud
its kindred subjects.
Mr. Lord did not undertake 10 defend 1t nor op'
pose representing this complicated and unset
tied subject in merely its historical developments,
and seeking to show the ideas on which 1t was
based-new ideas which are generally recog
nized to be true and sublime. he maintained
that Calvin was the great exponent Of that School
which inclined to absorb Man in the greatness Of
God, contemplating him alone as the source OF all
that was worth considering in the Universe, and
the promotion Of his glory as the chief end OF his
creatures-a doctrine which was embraced by
some of the loftest intellects OF all countries and
which was the substance OF the exalted heallsm
of the Middle Ages. Some are apt 70 suppose
that bis doctrine of the Sovereignty OF God was
the result of technical logic but 1t wa the very
spirit Of the Father Of the Church. ana the very
soul of the Catholic Theology, when 1t was purest
and most elevated
Mr. Lord here traced this idea ia toe monu'
ments of the Middle Ages, in the general motives
of that age, and its great heroic enterPr@e-even
in the spirit of the Puritan Pilgrims and In those
who have generally sought to magnify tue maJes-
ty Of God rather than ennoble man For even 70
the Puritan q personal God was everything ana
man nothing This doctrine may have been car.
ried to excess, but it developed lofty virtues ana
unconquerable faith. They colonlzed America
not for the sake of fortune or power but Tor iFee
dom to enjoy the worship of this great Deity
whom they adored with such unbounded conh'
dence and love. They obeyed his commands not
legally, because they must, but because II was
their highest privilege and pleasure-recelved
His doctrines because they were revealed truths
which IL were impous TO question or 10 scrutlnZe,
and since they were OF the character when de-
veloped the nOblest qualities and energles-thes
qualities and these energies produced their nstur'
al effect, and made them powerful, aud intelll-
gent and wealthy
Respecting Calvin, as a Christian and man OF
genius Mr. Lord was eulogistic, although he did
not conceal his defects-his want OF readiness OF
sympathy, his indifference to music and the hne
arts and natural scenery, and the society OF wo'
men, who never loved him, or sought him. except
as q ministerial adviser. AS such he was mlld,
tolerant and encouraging. He was Infinitely Ia
borious, accomplishing Herculesn tasks, and I'M
der the pressure OF bodily lunrmlLles remaining
poor, never taking money from booksellers, living
for the good of others, careless of himself and ex-
erting an influence both magisterial and moral In
his own city, in England in Scotland, IN Holland
even a pOsthumOus influence unparalleled by
all the founders of sects, and indirectly giving an
influence to learning liberty and civilization But
he was not superior to his age in religious edu
cation-persecuted those who undermined his
influence, or ridiculed bis doctrines, or opposed
the principles which he deemed orthodox. de
was doubtless the instigator of the death OF Ser
vetus in which he was commended by his gene
ration, for even the Catholics would have de-
stroyed Servetus had he been spared by Calvin.
Mr. Lord did not excuse or palliate this great IN
consistency, which has sullied his fame and made
him odous to the philanthropists OF this age
When his labors his virtues his attanments, and
his influence are alike considered, he may Justly
be regarded as one of the great lights OF the
world, Of whom all future generations should be
proud.
This is a feeble abstract of very long Lecture,
which was delivered to a large audience, notwlth-
standing the rain. Mr.. Lord has never yet sus
pended any Lecture ON account Of the weather
and we believe this is the best policy, as well as
the most dignifed course. The next Lecture is
on the Huguenots, &c.