The daily republic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1853-1853, 1853-07-21
LOCAL n ATT II r b.


The AnHivxRsARx URArsoA Of the EAosiiian
Tuesday evening, at the f street Baptist Church,
by the Rev. T. Gracchus Jones, of Norfolk, Vr-
ginia. M4a4
The church was about two-thirds filed with
auditors, comprising both ladies and gentlemen;
and there was fine band Of music in the gallery
to enliven the performances.
The orator, in rising, stated that he had chosen
theme which he trusted would not be consid-
cred inappropriate, and which, however much
discussed, could never be exhausted. 1t was:
Man himself, and the principle upon which his
highest development is formed, and by which his
life is governed.
The following merely the points in the
ton, the delivery of which occupied more than
an hour, and was listened to with marked atten-
ton:
1t is high distinction to be A MAN. All ma
ture serves him; all things for his Physi-
cally, he is most wonderful being, the very
paragon of animals; erect in form, symmetrical
in all his parts; of majestic mien; luminous eyes,
speaking a soul of affection, and with expressive
tongue, uttering praise, and imperishable mind.
he stands alone, without peer among terrestrial
beings. These, however, are not his glory; but
the sPIRIr that moves him, and emanates from
Heaven. There il no type of it on earth; its ar
chetype is God. The human body is it's vesture.
Like the Sun, in its influence upon the earth, it
gives the body all its glory. ltmakes him strong,
his tongue eloquent, and his bearing lofty. 1t is
the power mysterious that thinks and feels, loves,
hates, suffers, and enjoys. 1t fills the present,
encompasses the past, and occupies the future
1t turns things to shape, and "gives TO airy no.
thing local habitation and name" It recalls
the speculations Of the past, and gives them new
and more profound significance and worthier
acceptation. 1t measures distant stars and ascer-
tains the velocity of light, and subjects the sun
beams to analysis. I1'hese were mentioned by
the reverend gentleman among the intellectual
powers. H
But the power emotional is greater. 1t stirs
earth, hell and heaven. How wonderful is man s
influence in Heaven! His smile is there reflected
on myriads of faces-his tears are there trea-
sured-his slightest whispers are heard, and
he realizes from God the answers to his
prayers. The Arch Fend, however, supplies
man with the weapons of rebellion against his
Maker, by presenting to him ambition, visions of
glory, and tempting offers; promising him, from
some proud summit, the pomp and pageantry OF
EARTH if he will fall down and worship him. And
this wondrous being, of origin SO high, Of powers
so noble, and mind SO comprehensive, must exist
forever in world brighter than this an elysum
brighter than the poets dream; or must exist for
ever in world gloomer than Tartaruso or Pande-
monium.
The glory Of mere terrestrial objects can satisfy
no Just ambition. In every thing lawful, how
ever, it is mans duty to aspire to the highest rank
not like Esau, who sold his brthright for mess
of pottage, and instead Of prince become the
vilest serf. Some men, sychophants, are any
thing, however low, to provoke the nod of recog-
milton the smile offavor from those above them
to lag behind at respectful distance or to touch
the hem of the garments of notables occupying
l.; nA, Of tin off ri tn
be servants of the people that they may become
their masters they Of tho public good that they
may make it their private gain, and profess the
sacred name of patriotism with treason lurking
in their hearts Devoting themselves to party,
not from principle, they aspire to places Of trust
with no disnterestcd emotions, but with a view
to sclf-aggrandizement and the emoluments OF
office. And with reference to this, how strange,
in many instances, is their conduct; how marked
by folly and guilt 1t is possible to deceive man,
but not God. Sometimes such persons counter
felt the saint and 'steal the livery of the court of
Heaven to serve the devil i'm They are false
traitors to God and to truth; every thing by
turns to accomplish their ends.
Gold which is standard of value, cannot mea-
sure man s Just appreciation OF himself. He re-
spects himself, because he is faithful in heart to
the relations which life imposes. He loves and
reveres God, and blesses men. He lives for prin.
ciple and duty more than for selfenjoyment. If
development, the moral sense. He is man Of
conscience, as is shown by his actions. 81 would
rather be right than President, said distinguish
ed statesman of noble form and bearing, whose
eloquence has often enchanted the hearts of many
now present. However much others may dissent
from the sentiment, it is that of a true man. He
would rather be "right'' than have position
high or great, obtained through dishonorable
misunderstanding all pomp and power rather thar
Weld his honesty. He is not one of your mild
amiable characters, Of whom men speak with
mingled praise and contempt He is not alike
undecided on every subject, nor does he seek tt
mystify. But on all important subjects his posi-
ton is clearly defined, and all know what it is
When new questions arise, he will fearessly avov
his opinions us soon as he comprehends them. HI
does not wait to discover the popular current O
thought and opinion He does not pause for tn
watchword of the people before his own voice il
raised. He is not presumptuous, but thinks fo
himself; he is not rash, but acts promptly. WheI
he takes position he stands by it. Some mel
take wrong position and will stubbornly main
tain it, and will never be moved by eloquence, nj
matter how powerful They pay honor to erro
for the sake of consistency, while truth and beauty
are in vain wooing their embrace. Not SO will
the honorable man, the true man. Walpole wa
a lbeller when he said that every man has hi
price. The only price of true man is truth
honor, virtue, and the appreciation of God.
Another quality of the true man is COURAGE
no man can be patriot and a christian wthou
it. He will feel it to be his duty to oppose popu
lar error, although he may be cast out a victim 0
ostracisrn. THE orator then described this quality
which did not consist, he said, in blood and mus
Gle, or nerves even, but in the heart-in the mo
raj sense sThe wicked feeth when no mar
pursueth; but the righteous is as bold as lion. "
Another attribute of the true man is HONESTY
He does not seek undue advantage. lie woult
rather suffer loss than gain unjustly. He is hon
est for honesty's sake, and from a reverence TO
God, whose spirit is in his bosom.
But ACTION is necessary to the vclopmcnt o
these principles, and development depends OF
self-action. The child would not become strong
and brawny in the nurse s arms; and so the mind
to become vigorous and truly great, must have