Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-03-25
The Orders of Nobility.

The Orders of Nobility.
LECTURE OF E. II. CRAPIN, D. D.-The Rev
DR.. Chaplin delivered his new lecture on the Or
ders of Nobility before the Library Association last
evening, in the Bank Street Theater before large
audience The lecture was enthusiastically re-
ceived, as it deserved.
DsChapin opened by aIusion to the men Of our
days who point TO their noble birth, and their
famed ancestry, as the sources of their greatness
and the fountain of their honor These are the
mere traditionary orders of nobility But true es-
sential nobility maniiests itself to the world in
three ways; the nobility of work, of thought, and
of the nobility of work, does his work cheerfully,
like a man, and not like a mue-he performs his
task well and heartily.
This is higher nobility than regal titles or mon
archical powers can bestOw, and yet in orr times
honest labor is depreciated-it is considered a
degradation. This forms the corner stone of slave
ry, and is ths preserving essence of vulgar and
false aristocracy. You may write it in sweat, and
it out with spade, but it is nevertheless bet
Ter to be a bootblack than gentleman lOafer, "a
fact which some of our Cleveland exquisites would
do well to pOnder) .-- ~
But professional men who constitute the brain
workers are not to be classed in this category
There is an over rush and an unhealthy food into
these professions of men who would have done
better if they had been casting iron or making
shoes, and yet what would these men give for the
sweet sleep which comes to the couch of the Ia
boring man. 1t is thought more respectable 10 go
into these "higher walks than to plane boards,
and hence idIeness is always associated with gen
tiIity.
The aristocracy of America consists in one man
having left of shoeing horses and selling snuff,
while another hasn't. The constitution of Amer
lean social life ignores difference of blood, and
hence the standard reared is wealth. But true no.
bility rests in the individual, and in what he is and
does. All work is noble when animated by duty,
and the most vulgar thing on earth is idleness.
Among the mechanics of the world are GHttem-
berg, Watts, and Fulton, who have sent forth the
artillery of the printing press among the nations
and the pennon Of the steamship as she speedsO'er
and through the ocean wave,
The nobiIity..o mind and thought has its appro
PIRATE sphere. A screw or legen may be more use
full than the picture Of Sstine Madonna or the
Aidsummer's Nights Dream. and yet 10 the order
Of nobility the creations of genius stand far higher
than those Of the hand. There are no degrees in
the nobility of thought. Newton stood high inthe
exploration of the celestial world, but no higher
than the miner who sacrificed his cwn life to save
that of companion, or the man who burnt his fin
ger to the bone that the field piece might not 60
of and destroy his companion at its mouth. The
young Washington and the Maid Of Orleans are
living names in the nobility of thouPst- The grand
element Of nobility of thought is readiness Of mind
Fidelity to truth must go behind the counter must
find place in the market, set in the pew, and
preach from the pulpit and run ahead Of the party
ticket
Next the nobility of life. This consists Of un
consciousness, communication and aspiration
Inconsistencies does not imply ignOrance-in tha
there may be consciousness of power but il is sci
6shness. The men who aim to be great are like
advertising wagons covered with show bills. Gen
uine nobility Of life communicates its spirit, max
ing man better and extending its influence al
around. The enobIing influence Of art is nsces-
sary to the formation Of the American mind
We want the development of higher order of hu
manity than the ''rOwdy." A free gaIlerey of ar
would do more for US than moral lectures, or lie
gion Of policemen.
The modern style of American literature wa
severely handled asfulsome, nauseatng intellectual
food, while beautiful tribute was paid to Homer
Dante, Shakespeare, Milton and the bards of thi
scriptures. gHF 5t5tf.t
The lecture was Of the usual high character Q
Dr.. Chapin's discourses. and presented many hom
truths which all would do well to consider. Itwa
full ofbeautiful imagery and eloquent passages.