New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-13
NEW-YORK TRIBUNE.
SKETCHES OF LECTURES.
Influence OF knowledge.
pY JOHN KEEsE, ESQ.


The Ninth Lecture Of the Popular Sc
res was delivered a, the Tabernacle on Friday evening
bv JouN Hrrsr. Esq, of New.york (Bookseler) The
subject Of the lecture was THE influence OF hnowl
edge as Exempi6ed in the Social Circle and Mechani'
cal Arts" We were happy to notice that the body oil
Tie building was well filed Upon making his appear
ance M Keese was well received, and commenced
his lecture by observing that acquainted more with the
crowded walks of active life than the quiet paths of lit
erature-not called appear frequently in the groves
of Academus a. in OF practical csre-devoted
less to the scientific study of principles than to their e
fcent application and oftener excited by the nspra-
ton OF commercial enterprise than los, in metaphysical
distractions or entranced the pure charms OF hnow
edge-posscssng no such characteristics ms those which
were usually deemed requisite for literary re-
nown. the audience would, perhaps, forgive
brief intrusion on their timo and patience, while
he led them through train OF reflections
which had already been noticed BY accomph he'd
minds The lecturer by way OF preface, passngly al
luded TO the practical results arising from the early cu
tiyston of knowledge exemphied in the brilliant
career of Franklin John Hancock, VIM. Roscoe, Web
ster Calhoun Clay and others. Living witnesses IL
WAS not necessary he should furnish. The truth OF
knowledge would be valued in proportion as the i'm
mense extent OF its influence perceived For what
would the humbest ynual consent 10 have the light
that wisdom had awakened in the mind exiinguishedt
Education was the business Of life; and the consideration
arose what was the value of knowledgei Point TO the
literature of Egypt Greece, Rome examine the literary
productions Of France, Germany, England and our
own young Republic and all the desirable AMI useful
productions OF science and art dcrivable from that
literature and then reply what the value OF knowl-
edge. What had 1t donef IL opened the wonders OF
the universe to our scrutiny, and cheered and en-
nobed man in his sorrow and degradation. But these
were as but one among the manifold blessings it
TERED upon the human race.
When from the sacred garden driven
Man Il, d before his Makers wrath,
An angel left her place IN heaven
With thou ghts that III the glowing soul
She taught him to Hume the page,
And proudly scornIDg times CONTROL.
Commences with ala unborn axe
Twas Art sweet Art, golden radiance cast &C
Our individual enjoyments could only be secured by
knowledge. Man constituted with tendencies oil
such a nature as might become the source OF much
pain and misery to him, II not properly con'rohed'
Here knowledge must enter and pour the influence Of
It's golden rays over the mind order that the latest
seeds of wisdom perchance scattered carelessly,
may successfully frucufy. 1t was the civihzins
rcfnements Of knowledge that made our fre'sides
lions such as those all enjoyed education could not
be too much venerated. SO thought the everto-be
yenerated Washington and all must admit the truth OF
the proportion, for habual regard to the acqui-i'
ton Of knowledge was--as none would deny-ahke
useful and delightful To the merchant ia his count
uchouse, the lawyer in his chamber the farmer in his
country home or the philosopher and divine IN their
closets, knowledge presented equal charms and uses
AT md n
counting houses or closets The knowledge OF life
though we might not write in such places-was &C
auired in the buste OF the marts Of commerce and
euterrise in the crowded thorougares, and in hotels
and other pubic place. in which man ever stirring
active euterpri ing congregated with his fellows. %
serverion Of men in the walks Of ordinary every day
life attendance at interesting lectures and upon the
expounding Of Divine truth, were perhaps among the
resdest means Of acquiring come few OF the seeds oil
kpowledge To notice the influence OF knowledge In
The various spheres that affected by t tendencies
could uct he otherwise than gratifying. The import
arce OF knowledge in the social circle might safely
eugross whole series of lectures. In connection with
the home influence Of knowledge, he would remark
that Providence bsd wisely constituted men 70 love
their homes and families. If they did not they never
could be truly happy If estimated lowly tho de-
lights OF home 1t must be because their minds ABSTRACT
ed Ike those of Shakspere Bacon and Newton IN tne
profundity OF philosophical end intellectual research
had no room for the entertainment OF Whist appeared
mere individual enjoyments The mind must indeed
be remarkably endowed and elevated by the elFasA'
Of Intellectual Inspiration, if the Po'sessor were happy
without home But he did not suppose FOR moment
that great minds who found rapurous joys in solitude
and intellectual abstraction, were insenzb!e TO the
Measures OF home. Al the finest tendencies and
feelings Of our nature were awakened BY the
influence Of the domestic circle Far away from those
scenes. home was st cherished in the inmost recesses
Of our heart and to t all thoughts fondy tended
throughout the dangers Of adventurous commercial
enterprises-in foreign clmes and on distant seas-
home. sweet home, became the watchword 10 which
the hearts Of men responded among all the con-
ficts of life How great must be consdered the inhu'
erce Of the intellectual husband-the pride Of her 10
whom he pledged hi. love and faith, the delight Of hi.
friends the ornament Of the circle in which he moved
and from the influence which the ofnteilect neces
sariIy welded benefit 70 his immediate community
How well was sueh man prepared to buffet the rough
est waves tide Of The educated wife might
well conscrt with and occupy the entire heart OF one 50
accon pisled Tie wife of refined mind aud feeling.