New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-11-24
THE RELIGIOUS PRESS ON MR.. BAN
CROFTS GRAFTON.

of quite general discussion. As was TO be ex-
pected, the journals OF the different religious de-
nominations are foremost in expressing toeh
opinions about it, which are naturally eolored oy
the dogmas they respectively represent. Inc
following extracts will give our readers an idea
of the state of the controversy, which, as they
will see is becoming quite warm and interesting;
F,om The Endependeat (Oyttoacr Congregational
The Hon. George Bancroft was introduced oy tne
President and in very able address of considerable
length revewtd the great changes and improvements
which have transpred during the last half century.
Limited as space must necessarily be- We An
but elsuce a, of the principal features OF Mr:
Bapcroits admirable address which was markell
throughout with the stamp of critical genius, and
mastery analysis OF The derentsabjects he reviewed
The MART, Of statesmen the necessity of the prog
ress of the human race, the harmony which charac-
terres the world of Intelligence, the studies Oh the
compar 4tiye snaomist, the pride and oly OF isa-
ism climate the internal structure CT plants snd AMI
usls sstr, nony Fulton and Robert Livingston the
subuity of the present age when compar with thar
of the pact, electricity the reciprocal between God
and humanity the progress Of CIVILIZATION through the
influence Of the United States, were thu principal
subjects of Mr. Bsncrofl's oration which we're all
reviewed and illustrated in the happest manner, put
10 which one could not pretend to do adequate justice
in the space at our command
I,o- tn. Eranselist (Nslo School Pye,byts-ilaL
The Semi Center NAL Anniversary of the New-York
Historical Society which occurred on Monday last,
was ss allied by the delivery OF discourse by the
Hon. George Bancroft on the Progress Of the Human
Race at Niblos Salooo and by diuner al the Astor
Upuse The event " a. a one, well calculated 10
interest Intelligent minds and was made extraordi-
nary attractive by service so appropriate and pro-
missing a. an GRAFTON from the most eminent and elo-
qutrt historian Of the country on topic involving
those large liberal views which Mr.. Bincroft is knog
10 entertain The audience at Niblos wss large AID
highly intelligent embracing, with many OF the best
known citizens quite number OF men OF marx from
from other cities. The Grafton was splendid effort
ery and compreh in scope clear in its logic
polished and eloquent in its style-oeal,lfnl rounded
and suggesve-a feast 10 the hearer and an )nor ID
the occasion. IL was listened to with profOunfest
attention. and with that earnest though undenon'
eiratiye appreciation which indicates the best har-
mony between spt aker and aucit)ry. we have no
room for sny outline of its argument but rs II has
! been published in the papers, we commend 1t to
the fret thoughtful hour in which the reader may de-
sire enjoy the luxury of noble thoughts IN beaufl
ful form Some OF the passages, as they came forth
with Mr. BsDcrofs beautifully distinct and impress
sive enuncistioD, had a thrilling power and others
indicated clearnes and strength of religious faith,
and sort of faith for which we had never given hun
credit We with it we're in our power 10 quote these
passages both for their truth and beauty and as To-
dcatoDs cf the views of one holding the pen OF his
country history.
Mr. Bancroft was admirably explicit in reference
10 the actual presence and power Of the Divine Being
in The affairs of and ascrbed to that preOrdIln-
ing Will ell the unity which history possesses.
The great truth Of the trinity is one which It was
barely TO he expected would find an advocate IN Mr.
Ban croft but lie Intellectual power and its relation
10 that progress of the hnman which history re-
cords, has been clearly apprebendet by bin, and was
in this dsOure impressisely set forth "a we ever
beard il from CayiListic lips. AIR. Is. then
showed in the clearest manner the folly and impo-
tel Of Of the modern substitute. for this ener
eetic faith as the Positive Philosophy" OF Comte,
when BIZ traced di.octly TO the English UOitarian-
ism OF Piesuy and Bel,ham, and characterized as
Abeism, aud predicted as short'lived The seatl-
mebts quote will show how widely Mr. Bancroit
offers from the views geuerally entertained by Una-
rsns. The discourse concluded With glowing por-
aiture of the progress OF the race and the duties and
hopes which flow from II.
fyoa Tas Christian Inquirer. (Uni,lriaa
An immense audience assembled at NlOlOs Thea
ter Mopdsy last, to hear Mr. Bincrots Semi
Centennial Add'esf. For nearly two hours he held
h. ait.I Of prom,cuous company 70 discourse
on tn highest matters Of human thought, treated in
somewhat severe style aud not specially enhanced IN
stirscv.Dess by the manner Of it, delivery. Ii u in
The lshest cegree complimentary 10 the fame OF the
historian, ttat so solid theme and undressing
manner thOud command so patient An audience.
THE Necessity, The Realty, and the Promise OF
che Progress Of the Race was the orators subject,
and it was treated in the main wi. learning, acumen
and dignity. The general theme IL so congeniAl To
the hopes and the bsmeless pride of unsnty, rs TO
engage all mpatbies at orcs To doubt tue main
proposition OF human progress it is to despair of
society, and almost 10 abandon Divine Providence.
The theme however in our lay, after Gaiz0t Cousin,
Htgtl, Macdul5y and u hort OF other hands have
touched H. and il has become the eadOg and govern
ing thought VI society whether in its political phil
sniLrOpic, or religious aspects, has grown little
commonplace ana needs less OF general statement
eoD6rDatOry evidence than Of discrimination aud
cepfioH. Mr.. BaDcrofts prevailing fault a writer,
l. that of unqualified assertion and ambitious gener
alizrDg. The grand defect of history IS that
1t Is written ON theory, and sees and ar
| ranges its facts in reference TO a fOregons con-
clusion And now that he gives US in the pres
ent discourse the key 10 hs own Philosophy Of
History not surprised TO find that the unquali
fed bOldntss Of his theory sufficiently accounts for
the uDsasfaciOriDess Of hls work A theory of prog
Tess which makes 20 little careful distinction be-
tween good and bad, right and wrong which must
hail with nearly equal welcome the ages of blood and
the ages of peace; which allows so little space 10 the
fIeelom of the human WILL and ascribes SO tire men,
deus necessity to the purposes of God-however
little il may desire their assent will be very accepta-
Bile, We doubt not TO the increasing class of social
formers and uaDscendsDtaI philosophers who treat
morals 81 q pre- ludice and vice an accident IL
going abead is always going in the right direction; if
notion is ai@oys progress; If change is always i'm
pTovement then all bail 10 the binr teenh century,
and Mr.. Bancroft as its fgure-head If the is
always wiser than lie wlsest teachers, and the spirit Of
the age boiler than Its hottest rebukers, then let US
silence the bIaslhen Gus voices OF warning that strive
70 mike theDselves heard above the sared roar of
the times, and exile the public defamers who tell US
We not better than our fathers.
The proud and confident, the rash and perlOus tenn
per of our times will receive fresh encouragement,
We fear from this discourse. Instead of 4 general
gloify Dg OF the last hacentury the best ilustrs
tioD OF the law Of progress could have asked from
the learned and retired historian some help from his
studies, in Awakening the popular mind to to dan
strs corrected with the rapid rate at which We
hsing-ihe recklessDess and precipitation Ut the age.
We would have begged him 10 do nothing u eDcour.
see the popular fascy thar bgue.s is greatness that
locomOtOD 10 diyIIe art and external comfort and
splrrdor the trium ph Of humanity. Weary We al
II ady are h the rhetoric Of the steam whistle and
the t. l.grspn wire, could have hoped TO escape