The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1858-02-20
0ttatua frte Grabtr .
LOCAL MATTERS.
substance and shadow.
A LECTURE BY REV. rHos. STARR KING

! LECTURE BY REV. TH0S. STARR KING
1t was our good fortune, on Saturday eve
ming last, to listen to the lecture from this
/ gentleman. On account of the unpleasant
/ state of the weather, the audience was small.
This is to be regretted, for it is not often
that we have an opportunity TO listen to SO
able and interesting lecture. ;,
I We took no notes and snail only TOUCH
upon the points which impressed US most,
/ enGeavoring TO give some lea OF the spirit
and intent of the lecturer, which must be
done mainly in our own words.
/ The speaker commenced by calling our
/ attention TO the difference in substance be-
tween a paving stone and slip Of paper.
At first thought the paving stone would
seem much the more substantial, but if the
slip of paper had written on it some great
truth eifecting the relations betw cen man
and his fellows, or men and their maker, or
contained a decree from high authority, the
paper nigh, be the more substantial, and an
instrument Of greater power.
We were told of an error into which some
of the ancient philosophers had fallen, that
from seeing the worth and power of truths
developed within the mind, they began to
question the reality of material things, call
ing them only mental conclusion, -
degcndine upon a certain condition of the
seHs,s- That as sound is but an effect pro-
due. upon the organ of hearing, from Vi
brations in the air. when there is no car to
receive the vibrations there would be no
sound; so they concluded were no in
teiligence to be impressed, there could be
no real material Substance in the universe.
What str-nge infdelity; faith in every
thing spiritual and intellectual, but doubt
/. ing the reality of the world of uatter. The
absurdity of such view WAS shown in &
happy manner By some pleasing and ra-
ther striking illustrations.
The comparative substantially and pow
er Of pondcrable and tangible bodies and
what are called uncomfortable agents were
next shown. Electricity which we can nei-
ther measure nor weigh. splits the toughest
oak, or, quick as thought itself, writes, our
news at the farthest corner Of the land
With what pumping and Juggling are the
streets Of our cities watered? but look at ma
lures economy for watering all cities and all
lands. The gentle invisible heat coaxes the
waters to ride IN her chariot through the
upper air ready to be distilled in gentle dews
and showers upon the earth. The sun looks
upon the waters and they glow and take
wings aud mount aloft in the air
Water is called an excellent servant to
a
the rnill-whecl is given TO Z water by the
Invisible hand of gravitation. But if dense
and heavy water is so good a servant how
much more strong and tractable in the high
" rarfied state of steam. Thus in the ma
tcral world we see that the most rare and
ethereal clements, and even the most sub
tie and impondcrablc agents, are the most
potent aud substantial in the economy Of
Nature aud in the service OF man. Arcai-
modes said II you will give me lever long
enough and solid spot outside the earth
| vii move the world. The Garth rests on
no solid lulcrum and visible lever, but sup
ported as ii were by the power that spske
il into being, leaning on the arm Of cravita-
ton on one side and holding TO the hand Of
co lr;fIGai force on the other, joins in a CO.
tilion with the sister planets on an ethereal
Il Dor to the music Of the Sun.
i fine dwelling, cipitai cathedral, are
substantial and durable looking structures,
bat after all they are only the result Of a
wish or purpose in the mind of man First
the mental conception then sometimes after
years and generations have passed away,
comes the material reality.
Al the forms which matter assumes un-
der the hands Of man, rising into steam
ships, ra lroads, colleges, assylums, churches
are but the induces of character and civil
cation. Had this country been peopled Uv
the Turks, we should see on every hand,
Mocques, Harens and slender nIinarets-
and all the indications of a lazy civilization.
But now The soil, the forests, mines of orc
and granite recognize the dominion and pay
tribute TO the superior energy, intelligence
and humanity of the Anglo Saxon race. So
that civilization and humanity are not mere
shadowy distractions; but are substantial
things.
The wars and great BATHS between na-
tons IN their progr,s IS and results are only
10 many essays upon the comparative force
and kinds oi character of the nations cu-
.aged. Tue iour wars and great battles be-
tween France and England, were cited to H.
lustiatc ,his position. The great charge by
the French under thc imperial guard at the
battle of " aterloo, was called the result of
highly nervous sensiblility, Hinging itself
against stony patience.
biologists tell that the crust OF the
earth Is composed OF several distinct strata,
ca h OF which WAS thousands of years III
forming, white the earth was yet Z" " iihOut
form au4 void, each one approaching neal
- 10 the state requisite To support vegetable
and animal life in their higher forms. In ike
manner all ihc precedi g ages and govern
nIcnts OF the void ia their progress and de-
ciiac have contributed to the laws, civiIiza-
ton and science which are the pride OF the
present age. The tyranny and injuStic prac-
tic,d by the strong upon the weak, and all
the poison Of passion and crime which have
led to the downfall of empires, have in a
measure persisted in the wreck, while what
they had known and practiced of the eternal
principles of truth and justice, have arisen
from their ashes to attain a still higher and
more perfect growth in the succeeding age.
So that the institutions, laws, science and
arts of our age have their foundation or have
taken root far back in the past.
A pleasing view was given Of the inauen.
ces which Keep communities in subsection
10 the laws. 1t is not the power Of stand
ing army, or any material force, but tie fine
and subtitle feelings of shame and love OF :p
prevail ruling in all hearts which hold the
swelling tides Of humanity in large cities in
order and pea eful subsection to the res
traints of law; just as the thousand threads
which the illiputans wove over the body
OF the sleeping giant bound him to the earth.
An instance was given of little constable
III Massachusetts who went to arrest a large
powerful man, and was told to 90 home or
he would get shaking, The little man
swelling with the dignity his office and
the state he served. replied. if you shake me
you will not shake five feet ten merely, but
the whole State OF Massachusetts,. it is saiL
that the strong man could not Withstand
| such An array of nnblic nninion and will