Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-10-21
For the Eastern Times.
Rev. Mr.. Kings Lecture.


Debating Society, that our people have had the
pleasure of listening to for long time and
we can assure all who were not there. that
they lost most intellectual treat. The sub-
ject of the lecture was the manifestation of
God in the events of history; and the subjec,
was discussed in an able manner.
1t is certainly no disparagement to any of
our popular lecturers, when it is said that Mr..
King, though a young man, has not his SUI
perior as a lecturer, in New England. hope
the young men for whose benefit the lecture
was given, will treasure up those brilliant and
glowing thoughts for future meditation and
improvement. Mr. King could not have chos-
en- more appropriate subject; for the knowl-
edge most useful and most important to man,
is that of morals and religion and in nothing
are they more clearly taught than in history.
The science of history not only affords the
most pleasant and elevating subjects of medita-
ton, but evidently possesses a powerful infu-
ence over human happiness, both in this life
and that which is to come.
Various methods have been employed by diff
ferent persons and at different times to convey
useful knowledge to mankind. The principles
of morality and religion have, by some, been
delivered in short, plain and significant sem
tences and have been left to produce their eff
feet by their own weight and evidence. Pub
lie teachers have, at other times, taken pains
to explain and enforce these principles have
demonstrated their reasonableness and utility;
and have exhibited the criminaity, the danger
and the misery of neglecting or transgressing
them. The charms and graces of poetry have
been employed to set off the native, modest
beauties of truth and virtue, and allegory has
spread her veil over them, in order to stimu-
late our ardor in the pursuit, and to heighten
our pleasure in the discovery. The penetra-
ton of genius, the enchantment of eloeuence,
and the creative energy of fancy, have success
slvely lent their aid to those gentle guides of
human life, those condescending ministers of
human comfort.
But the speaker in this lecture, unfolded the
historic page, that faithful and true witness of
God and his truth. Ages and generations
elapsed and gone were made to pass in review,
and the lessons of religion and virtue were for
chilly inculcated by fair and impartial dis
closure of the effects which the observance or
neglect of them have produced on the affairs OF
men. With the pencil of history, the lecturer
enriched the canvass, not only with mon in
groups, but selecting distinguished individuals,
delineating them in their just proportions and
enlivening them with the colors of nature, he
exhibited a collection of striking portraits for
our entertainment and instruction.
AS the lecture was for the benefit of the
young, was sorry it contained quite so small
an element of sacred history and the characters
of which it speaks.
The sacred Scriptures possess an acknowl-
edged superiority over all other writings, in all
the different kinds of literary composition and
in none more than in that species of historical
composition which is called Biography, or a
delineation of the fortunes, character and con-
duct of particular persons and that, whether
the historian is the man whom he describes OF
whether he records the lives and actions of 9th.
ers. Thus, Moses, as he is the most ancient
so is he by far the best writer that ever exist
cd. Never in one and the same character
were united talents SO various, so rare, and so
valuable. He may, without hesitation be pro-
nounced the most eloquent of historians, the
sublimest of poets, the profoundest of sages,
the most sagacious of politicians, the most
acute of legislators, the most intrepid of heroes,
the clearest sighted of prophets, the most ami
able of men.
Let me particularly recommend to my
young friends of the Society, to let the study
of the Holy Scriptures enter largely into your
study of history. Few men have ever lived
more worthy of our profound respect than
Milton, Homer ard Shakespeare excepted. He
was not only learned in human lore, beyond
all other men. but he sanctified his bouudless
atluence of knowledge by the practice Of the
most austere virtues, and by the daily study Of
the Scriptures.
Nearer to our time, stand such men as Ais
ton, whose gentle virtues and exquisite genius
made him the beloved and admired of all f; the
poet, painter, novelist, beautiful in each, more
beautiful in the angelic sweetness of his daily
life. How many scenes of unearthly beauty
has his radiant pencil drawn; what ideal ere
atoms has his genius left to survive his morta
frame and make his name immortal. My
young friends. this incompatible man was O
our own dear New England, and he acknowl
edged the study of the Scriptures to be the
cause of that superior order of intellect which
shone so conspicuous in him, and reflected SC
much glory in the land. would refer you to
the greatest sage, and noblest man of our OWL
heroic age, Franklin and Washington, but
will not dwell on themes too great for me-
All human virtue is comprised in the name Of
Washington. Whatever else our country may
not possess, she possesses the name and fame Of
Washington, the man who stands alone on the
highest pinnacle of human grandeur. Let us
remember that this man never neglected the
daily study Of the Scriptures.
Finally, my young friends, may the silent in,
| fuences of that lecture help to form the tastes
exalt the morals, refine the intellect and mould
the characters Of the young men who shall
hencerorth be trained in the Young Mems De-
batting Society of Bath. NAV.
WORTHY OF IMIrATIoN.-The wings ant
Democrats of Baltimore have generally voted
to put up boxes at their election Districts
marked ga tribute to Washington - for the