New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-02-05
THE PROBLEM OF HUMAN DESTINY.
LECTURE III----BY REV. DR.. DEWEY.

| LECTURE III----BY REV. DR.. DEWEY
In commencing the Third Lecture of his
course on Tuesday evening, Dr. De wey remarked tha.
he had on former occasion considered the School OF
Man. or rather he might say, the schoolhouse, and
he now wished to call attention to the pupil himself
He proposed to discuss the subject of human organi-
zation, regarded in its connection with the formation
Of character and the development of mind We I'M
derstand by the very term organization, system OF
means adapted to specific purposes wish, said DR..
DIT look into the philosophy OF this system al
though the word philosophy is SO much abused in
modern times. Nowadays We have a philosophy
of everything. The most superficial treatises of
shallow sciolists dignied with the title OF phi
losophy But the true aim of philosophy is elevated
and RATIONAL and intimately connected with the pro-
sress of humanity. Letus, then, examine the differ.
ence between the organization Of man and that OF
the lower animals, In regard TO IL influence on the
training and perfection Of his spiritual nature.
Consider the faculty Of touch. This is an import
ant distinction between man and beast. II man had
been born without skin with hide and hoos for
instance instead, it would have essentially changed
all the relations Of his being He now receives his
earliest impressions from the sense of touch. 1t is
related 10 the development of the affections
The indulgence of kissing Is interesting exercise
of this faculty. But this is peculiar to man. The
beasts shut out by their very organization from
the.charm OF oscuaiory Establishments. This is one
of the high privilege of humanity The decacy Of
the skn is criterion Of the general fneness Of or
ganization. A coarse skin is almos, incompatible
with refined mind II knew man who could
let fly creep over his face without feeling it,
should be apt TO set him down as harsh and coarse
grained in his spiritual nature, and destitute OF no.
| and tbctin
skin in man, then, is efficient means Of his spirit
ual education
Another important element in his training to higher
ends is the faculty of laughter. The animals are
net endowed with this power, unless the grinning
OF monkeysis an exception. This is not merely an
expression Of the OF the ludicrous. Laughter
is the symbol of contented mind, of genial fell
lowship, of comfortable of satisfaction, and
tends to unite the scattered elements of society in
common feeling OF fraternity. It's influence on health
is not to be overlooked An explosion of laughter is
an excellent aid to digestion. Superior 10 old wine
or old cheese, or other celebrated peptic persuaders
The gift of speech is noble characteristic of the
human organization. So essential is It's possession
to the elevation of man. that many have regardedis
| as the immediate bestowal of the Creator. But we
! should not null tply miracles without cause. They
lose their effect by frequent repetition. Speech is
no less wonderful and peculiar, If regarded as the
natural product OF the human organization. have
known two children, who played together for
a summer form language for themselves. But
| be this as 1t may, there rs nothing greater or
more impressive IN the whole compass OF crea
ton. The sounds which are emitted from the
mouth OF individual are dispersed into a
thousand impulses like rays OF sunlight bearing IN
telgence and passion on their vie "ess wings and re-
corced on the written page give to the conceptions OF
a moment the permanence of eternity. Speechis
sublime symbol OF the Divine Power. Inspiration
4 m fhn
! Omnipotence fthe Creator. "By thy WORD were
the heavens made, and all the host Of them by the
| brea th OF thy mouth
| ire EXPRESSION of the face is beautiful distinc-
tioE Of humanity. We are little aware OF the inhu-
ence when Il constantly exeIts. If the DUMB ami
ual, whom man exercises his cruelty-if the
horse or the deg, when suffering by blow from the
| violence Of man, could turn upon him with human
Ook Of indignation or appeal-could any one resist
| the power OF the NIUE exp0stuldton How extra
ordinary, too, the difference OF expression In the
human ace, by which the recognition OF personal
ceEtlty IS secured On this sulll surface nine inches
BY SIX ale depicted such various traits, that among
the millions Of inhabitants on the earth no two have
| the SEINE lneaments of face. What dire confusion
worlG ensue If all cOuntcnances were alike II
fathers dld not knoS their own children By sight,
uor husbaucs their wives. But nov, we could pick
cut friend from among tae mullltaces OF the as
seq blei universe
The hand, too, may be noticed among the peculiar
eLcowments OF man, as an element 10 his spiritual
training The ceremony Of shaking hands has
ceeper significance, than is often supposed. Wear-
some as II may De 10 the peripateb!c STATESMAN,
doomed TO be overwhelmed with tails expression OF
popularity, It is sign of human friieLnty and as
such should be held IN afectlOnate honor.
The Lecturer tnen proceeded 10 an extended and
profound CisQuison the uses OF the passions aud
appeiites OF human nature. l know, said ne, that
when approach this subject, touch on dangerous
ground 1 know that many regard the passions as
the fruitful source of evil the active agents OF Sa-
tan The cause of temptation, OF SIN OF spiritual ana
eternal ruin u ~ this view SAID DR.. ID, decldeuV
repudiate | cannot fall IN win me pfevalen. CRY
asaDst the natural appettes They are the endoH-
ment of man. according 20 the decree OF the DIVINE
Wisdom They are intended for good ana they opc-
rate for good. The old philosopher PloIlnus, we are
told by Porphyry, wished to forget the name OF MS
native place as If 1t were degradation 10 be born
| into a world where the soul was subjected TO the
corrupting IL luence of the body For my part, salc
Dr. IregaId the soul AS the corruSter OF the ooay'
rather than the body as the corrupter oil tne SOUL
The exercise of ambition, hatred and malice pro-
duce worse effects thaH the indulgence Of the appe-
titles. Indeed the body might Say TO the soui, tha.
before they came together II had known no STAN or
sim IL had passed through an lnfnity oil moolned,
tons but for the hrst time was acquainted Win eNt
by its connection with the soul In Illustration oil
these remarks Dr. d. considered at length tue appe.
t,te of hunger This may BE- taken as the type oil an
The appetttes which in their regular normal inaul-
gence produce nothing but good while eVn anu ia-
convenience come only ION then ABUSE
The lecture was concluded with glowing des-
cripton of the pleasures Of sense, especially those
which are received through the medium OF the eye
and the ear The inspiring charms OF The landscape,
and the ravishlng harmonies of music proceedsa
from the sensitive nature, which needs only 10 De
cultivated in purity, in delicacy, and IN accordance
with the Divine laws to relnstate man IN tAe oeSnIs
OF Paradise.
CITY ITEMS.