Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1856-01-24

Rev. DR.. Storrs' Lecture,

The lecture before the Lyceum of Tuesday
evening last, was brilliant display of genius.
The audience hung upon the words of the lee
turer with breathless attention, while he show
cred pearls of wisdom with prodigality that
betokened inexhaustible stores OF intellectual
wealth. Every sentence was picture COM
plete in itself, and in our anxiety TO treasure
up each as something richly worth remember
ing, we came away with recollections less
vivid and distinct, th1n from many lecture of
inferior order.
Mediocre lectures contain but few great
thoughts listening to them is like being
placed in a room with nothing to engage the
attention save two or three pictures we con-
centra,e our attention upon them, and gain
tolerably correct idea of each. The effect OF
Mr.. Storrs' lecture was similar to that pro-
duced by being obliged to traverse at rapid
rate, an extensive gallery of paintings, where
masterpiece greets your gaze at every step.
You come away dazzled and bewildered by
the beauty, sublimity, power and brilliancy of
those peerless productions of art.
j Presenting those few ideas we have been
able to grasp, TO the public, Invested of the
gorgeous word drapery he has thrown about
them, is like transferring the diamonds OF
princess from the costly brocade of royalty to
the frieze garment of the peasant.
The object of the lecture was to correct one
of the popular tendencies of the age-The dis
regard of Trihes The lecturer showed con-
clusiyely that great results spring frequently
from causes apparently trivial in the extreme
God, in the mechanism of the human frame,
has shown the importance he attaches to small
things, by assigning the most important func-
tions in the animal economy to the most MI
mute filaments and organs. That delicate
framework of nerves that pervades the human
system, was beautifully styled ''God's spirit
Jul thoughts stiffened into form"
That rustling sound heard when lady
smooths her silk dress with her hand (particu-
larly if the weather be cold) is caused by mi
mute globules of electricity, and is the same
power that traverses the Geographic wires,
bringing distant states and remote countries
into neighborhoods of intelligence. The va
por which escapes from the tea-urn is the same
power which impels ships across the ocean,
in defiance of wind and wave it is the blood
of the iron horse tina. thunders through the
length and breadth of our land, that tunnels
our mountains, and works our machinery, the
slave of man, but terrible in its power.
What guided Columbus in his discovery of
this new continent, the far Atlantis of the au-
clients, and what has contributed more than any
one cause, TO the prosperity of our own and
other nationsl The mariners needle-the
little prophet of the eye, the nerve of the ship.
What constitutes the endless diversity Of
human facesl Slight variations in the lines
of the face and figure, differences SO slight in
some instances, that the practised eye of the
painter can scarcely define them, but which
elfectually distinguish the individuals. And
all history stands, society is built on these
slight differences. Ii is a striking Illustration
of the design Of God 10 show the importance
of irifes, Tinest things are chiefest in i'm
portance, tri1es are the lords.
The lecturer then related the circumstances
which led to the discovery of glass, which has
not only given light to thrones, churches and
homes, but even the stars have celebrated lis
discovery.
He then spoke of the importance of single
words In literature. A certain writer in
speaking of DIR. johnson, observed it was not
so much what he said, but his bow-wow way.
This word seems TIC bring to our ears the ar
, bitrary, dictatora tone which awed Boswell,
provoked Goldsmith, and penetrated the ear Of
Sir Joshua. The speaker then gave several
appropriate quotations, in which the power OF
single word was strikingly illustrated. The
detection of crime by the most trifing circum-
stances, was amply illustrated.
In conclusion, the lecturer alluded 10 the in
fluence of woman. He thought that woman
Inexperienced the extent OF her influence
And such is the fact, and from such misappre-
| hension springs that desire TO share in those
pursuits which God seems 10 have designed
for man alone. The influence of woman
, mouds the character of those about her bu
because THAT influence is ever operating 81
} lently, she undertakes its importance. We
might as we'll deny the power of those grea
laws that govern the bodies composing the
planetary system, because there is no visible
manifestation of governing influence, save il
, the harmony of their motion. History ha:
) ever shown that nations prospered when char
! acterized by integrity, and the loss of public
virtue, the unfaiing precursor of ruin.
Greece and Rome were more enlightened
and wealthy during the earlier stages of the
decline, than in the days of their greatest pros
D perity, but the canker worm of vice gnawinG
at the core of manly virtue, caused their de
cay.
: And that great teacher of the past, show
also that the character of nation depends up
6 on woman. When Spartan mothers laugh
their sons that death was preferable to dis
. grace, men were brave. And iii that late
and far more glorious period in the world
0 history when weak people were struggling
to be free, the hearts Of its heroes were cheer