The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-02-26

during thu D. every word OF which was nsppiiy
received by the "Blues" 4Y, sF AZ =
THIRD LECTURE BEFORE THE YOUNG
MEMS CHRISTIAN AssocIATIoN.-The audience at
the United Presbyteran Church; on Friday evenir 8.
of the weather is considered and presented such
moral aod aspects az to indicate abate
ment of that enlightened interest in the Association
to which we have had the pleasure of alludng on
several former occasions -z.=fs.,
The spit OF the opening exercises pleasantly
evinced an increase of that fraterna feeling amo
different denominations, which ia delightful chs-
racteistic of this organization and which is well
hearts of men.
The first Hymn given out by DR.. Howell, COM
How sweet, how heavenly is the sightn
Prayer then offered by Rev. J. Edwards
and the following bymn given out by Mr.. Read was
sung:
kindred in Christ, for his dear sake
hearty welcome here receive"
DR.. Dosgett, the Lecturer for the evening then
rose and said u
With the hope of contributing in some asgree to
the interest and edfcaton of the Christian Associa
ton. and the audience who have honored q. with
their presence on this OCCASION propose to animal.
vent briefly upon several of the moral aspects Of mo-
deTn society In the treatment of his theme. he con-
tnued it to discriminate, so abundant
the materials Wit aud satire might arluse but
had never effected any radical change. He should
c the statement of certain evils which be conceived
to exist in modern society, and in the suggestion of
means for their cure confine himself the weapons
of the Christian moralist Among the evils of which
he proposed to speak, he mentioned first the relax.
a'ion of family discipline. He pronounced the +.
mily in its original design to be most wss and ex
cslen institution for preserving the order safety
and virtue of society Its, he said, Church and State
in miniature, training the youth by habit for the right
performance of this duties that belong to maturer
years. There is not among the strictness Of
former days in family government; Consequence
behold the disorder mpetuosty and ssfwli eff chill
dren! Closely allied to this evil is lack of reye.
renee for age Who had not observed the arrogance
and presumption of our youth! There were he said
honorable eyCeutioDa but the evil 10 xvida
His next theme was the superficiality of learning
in eur dsythe want notwithstanding the wide dit-
fusion of kno1ledge and the multitude of schools)
of robust and vigorous scholarship. Especially at
the South he regretted to say. lack originslity
not only printing and publishing but our thinking
| also.
He then edvertsd to the recklessness of opinion
end the disregard of established truths in msras and
| religion manifest at the present time. Nothine
too sacred for the attacks of misguided men,
| speak great swelling words of vanity" and vaunt
public mind is unsettled from the solid principles tina
lie at the base of society and alarming infidety
| il creeping over the minds of the young.
He considered the burning passion for riches an
Their strong mark of the times. Many will sell body
| and soul for gold The amount of real estate anc
not the standard of merit is the pa sport to favor
| The prevailing line of fashion was next portray ed
in striking lang age. Our houses must be palaces
and dresses sometimes cost estate. Silk satin
and brocade. not modesty and worth are current re-
Communications to societv. Uhen shoc takes the place
nations are rushing toTuia.
The licsntieusness of the press though hackneyed
theme, GOULD not De omitted he said. in this
to Bershebs, and are devoured with bid appe.
| tite by young men and madens, and frequently the
| old as well as the young. Many writers and many
publishers seem to be utterly regardeas of the eject
Of what they put forth, SO that they enrich them.
| selves with money.
He next spoke Of the demoralizinp tenden.v n,
our public exhibitions They are almost universsiy
corrupting: The appetite for excitement in such
things which grows by what it fee on ia
ed to by stronger and stronger displays He asserted
| that the dissertation of the Sabbath, the right oh
ssrvance of which he considered the corner.stone Of
the public safety, never extensive as at pre
| sent He spoke of the crowds who, on unhaIowed
pursuits, throng our highways on that holy day In
| age of extensive religious profession we find !
want OF respect for religious institutions and an alb
sence of deep religious feeling Where are the
powerful revivals of former days?
He then enquired, there no active agencies for
good, which we can bring into the field to meet the
| agencies for evil that are at work?
He would suggest such seemed suited to the
emergency. We need no new oues, the old ones are
better and are sufficient 1t Is consoatory to fleet
that the materials Tor efficient defence and aggres
intensity in our agencies. This an important se
cret to the churches w, need greater intensity OF
Individual spirit We want deeper baptism of the
| Holy Ghost, more of the Transforming power of per
sonal religion more of the enthusiasm of the Cos
pei 60 meet the enthusiasm OF the world; the world
is all enthusiasm, we shall never have done our du-
ty without the fire of newborn zeal the heayeniv
| auction in a greater degree.
We need intensity In another agency. We must
have asterner moraiity-a rigid and updsvstina .S
herence to what is right in individual action Ths
world, If he might uss the expression il wat;,s re
see 1t the churches will realize their hgh mote.
sion of Christianity. There has appeared 40 nm
that is apocryphal and deceptive that are tempt
cd to sceptcism. behooves Christians to set fnrtb
more rigid example, and show obedience bv wal.
log in his ways"
Next there is needed more selfsacrificiny .et;v,,
IN Chrlstan enterprise-an energy that emuates tn
energy OF apostles and reformeTs even amons the
iaty all must be apostles and reformers and if need
ba, martyrs ~
He conceived that are deficient also in enIsrs.d
and expanded ideas of the spiritual kingdom of
Christ Our vision here Is limited 1t il gre AZ
,eneily have even such views as we have; but we
have NOT yet come up to the occasion 90 a to have
our minds illumed to comprehend His word In il,
ADAPTATION to the signs of the times,
l we uust employ, too, more collective agencies
Inc ~orid and sin employ collective agencies Their
Gust DC corresponding unity among the people of
less divided 'front.' marshang our forces on the Mat
l form OF common Christianity,
inc ispse OF the nineteenth century and the IN,
OF the times call to Armae eddon to fight The RAT
Tie. on tne LORD. Oar identity Is to be demonstrated
oy the accumulated moral power of reciprocal ofce1
and regards and substantial unity of afection An
TINS can be done without surrender of our jn6ivps
/ preferences He meant not to blend All danomina
ons into one but to bfnd In In the spirit Of
Christ Under the same tlood-stainsd banner we
He looked the establiahment of 90 NAM Chr.
alan Union Societies hopeful sign; thew present
points OF approximation without neutralizns indvid
uai character. In addition to the peasures al sc
qusintapee and the exercise of Christian courtssies
which afford their members much delight In y
exhibit to the world resstibe logic In favor OF
Christianity. AID demonstrate that " ssua 10 the sa
ylour Of all men, especially Of them that believen
What beautiful spectacle had he witnessed On
two former occssionss and what pleasant one did