Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1857-01-24
TIE Lectures before the EGang Mems
Christian Association.

ne Dung men Christian ASSOCIATION
Of our town, in return for the well-Qireeted
efforts it has made to benefit the communi.
y, has not met with that encouragement
which it has deserved The Lectures which
have thus far been delivered before It, have
been, ID an eminent degree, both instructive
and entestaining-and yet, for the most
part, they have fallen upon an array of most
disoouragingly empty benches. We GER
taiuly do not attribute this notifying fact
to any aversion on the part Of our public to
popular assemblies, either by night or day
They are well known to be singularly aovo-
TED to stump speeches, and to entertain such
3 partiaiity for melodies and feats of slight
Of hand, that they gather readily in shoals,
upon short notice, to surrender their cars to
the former, to lend their eyes to the latter,
and to "deliver up their purses TO the per-
formers with ll-pleased alacrity. Nor do
we think the fact we have alluded to, at
tsibutable to want Of good taste in cur cit
liens, but rather to the circumstance that
their attention has not, perhaps, been suffi-
Gently drawn to the means Of Improvement
and entertainment which the Association
offers. We may be pardoned, therefore, for
yenturing few words in behalf Of this
praiseworthy organization, and FOR pointing
out the interest which every one has i'll ex-
tending to it countenance and support.
The good to be derived from the Associa-
ton as Christian brotherhood, will, of
course, be principally enjoyed by its men,
bers-but, as a vehicle of religious, moral,
and intellectual improvement, 1t appeals,
most powerfully, to all outside Of it. We
know Of no better means of popular instrue-
ton than that afforded by series of Lee
lures from men of character and ability
4 well considered Lecture, every week or
fortnight, from such sources, would be ole
OF the greatest boons that could be bestowed
upon our community. Their effect would
undoubtedly be to cultivate the intellect
elevate the morals, and refine the taste Of
cur people, and porchance, to impart many
wholesome religious truths to minds which
would regard them doubtfully if they came
aader cover Of sermon. One great curse
Ct al small societies results from a staena-
zion Of IDEAS, and a want OF proper recrea-
tens. They are visited by few local occur
reacas Of any public interest, ana hold out
nc innocent popular amusements, such as
large cites can and DO support-tho coase-
queneo is, that the ever restless mind must
be engaged Oh something, and is very apt to
find employment in too marrow scrutinies
into ether peoples eencerns-in idle and
frequently harmful coajectures into ones
neighbor's motiyas--in pluckiag feathers
from the wing Of some laudable and rising
enterprise, Or leading VITA leaaen donbts
rome oyer-burdened and already sinking
fortune. As a partial remedy Cor Ills evil,
and as preventive Of others not less sari-
Gus, which vacuity commonly engenders.we
would suggest resort to lie mental pabu-
lum furnished IN the Lectures before the
Association. Some Of the best minds in our
State have already contributed, and viii,
doubtless, hereafter contribute--if the So
ciety be sustained-to our advantage, ont
Of their abundance. From their well-stored
treasure-horses much of gain may be gath
cred. The fruits of their labors will furnish
food for our minds-will make us todiscern
more clearly between good and evil, and
heighten cur relish Of such feasts-while the
ts;umphs of industry in the field Of letters.
illustrated in the example of such Lecturers
as have heretofore fayoredus may, perhaps,
incite our youth to spend their leisure hours,
-'.not in toys or lust or wine
But search Of deep philosophy,
Wit, eloquenca, and poesy."
If results like these are likely to Gow from
the Assocation-and that such and others
not less valuable may be its issue there can
be no doubt-all who have concern in the
welfare of our community will no longer de-
lay to contribute whatever may be in their
power to its prosperity and permanence.
Su0W Storm