Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-03-11
LECTURE

Dslivsrsd before the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton Of R1orriNs.
Mn. EDIToR;-Monday night last although sOmeuhat
unaEorahe afforded the KnOxvilsns the treat Of
fine lecture the frst brought before the public by the
Young Mems Christian Association It is 10 be hoped
this is the beginning Of better things the dawnng of
glorious day when the talent Of cur town shall be
brought out fer the general good.
1t Is happy faculty when s able to present
grand truth and mighty facts before with that life
smphAses which psnstrates the natural inera Of the
mind, and rssche, the quick of tbs heart until {.
thoroughly imbued with their vital Importance. Not an
suditor stsnsd to the able speaker but felt better and
grateful for the evenings entertainment.
At the request of a friend we report Rev. Ms. Now
brays Lecture best can. The Lecture began bis
introduction, these associations Swinging DIP North
aud South, East and West we're like beautiful rsinbcwl
Of promise propheying blessed fata cot to our
tnent alone but to every cline. Ha asked, how has
principle been upheld science cultivated knowledge
acquired and dused IN every age7 Simply by assoeia-
ton True the Church Of God like blessed PharToY
has held the lamps Of truth for about I thousand
TO world that loved darkness rather than light and
sent out its hslloBnE influences uIon the surbeaten
prOmOntores the bsssting bOw ard along the cragss
cliffs Of society planting the beaeonE and social guidance
foT all.
The earliest notice in history, sacred secular, Of
young men assocatns themselves together in Est
saml. x Chapter, about one thOuHand years before
Christ, when aboRt fifty yeung mon Of Prophets
formed society for mutual improvement and general
usefulness throughout the country Samuel the prOPhsi
sent Saul before be entered upon his kingy power,
10 them to catch their tpr and breathe their nspira
ions Two centuries later the same association CO.
a
his sgc.
Then followed the socisty of the soma Of Rschab
proving does not live BY bread alone but by nobsE
purer slsnents obedieaes and ss denial The middle Of
the fourth century before Christ, Plato formed the
academy at Athens. Here he youth taught virtue
a. sisDes end alone consistent with manly aspirations
and practical reason. somewhat similar school was
founded By Aristotle to discuss the Oratca speculative
and philosophical subjects. All nations and ages have
thought spoke and reasoned BY the method alninstsd
By that school For two houEand years up to Bseons
tine that society led IN the field Of phllosopby and ruei
70 logic.
During the third century before Cur present era
| Ptolsmy Softer formed the celebrated Alexsndrins
Academy, whittier young mss Of all nations repaired
for merely literary pursuits Others subsequently
among the Arahians saa Jews solely for the promotion
Of learning. ThfezsA the DARK ages when HonssiCis
influenced the ndisidus sss isndAlism the community
found hut few 81 sush sssOeAtlonE Pliny however
writes 70 the Emperor TrsRaa Of society whose mem
bsrs under oath to do kiSd Of eE and this Ap
psars have been the frt chrissias Association. Yet
Plnys ideas Of she christian character very cir
subscribed for be must net 9sly, "csass 10 40 -sil
bat lsarH DO ss" About tia ninth Century Charlie
mAgne held such meetings In bis palace and hundred
years later the Moors in GEenedG and cerdoTs had the
liKs for literary purposes Then uatl the fifteenth
century, do fRd anything Of the kind, when undsl
the patronage Of Lorenzo sad Corne De Msdici thes
societies again prBs up. Since then six thousand
have been formed in Europe and America having
one object in view, and some another, but each and al
the snsirasiOn Of the condition Of humanity In on,
End the Of Erasmus, another those Of Luther
and Melsnohon leading to pErsy doctrine while hos.
Of Wesley and Whitfield usher In richer faith aholier
oonsscEsted life. No matter where or when such as
sosiaoBs formed, the object was stin the same
COED to the individual good to the esmmunity whether
the place Of meeting under the Casino in Florence
in some silent chamber in Rotterdam, IN the University
room Of wirenburg the noisy Coffee House Of Fleet
| Street London.
Motives which have prompted TO band themselves
together have bean various aad Tsry numerous. The
history Of clubs societies Rnd associations Is not only
curious but instructive At rst the aim might be simply
protection pelitcs or economy then the arts science
and general literature Now there exists the royal So
ciey Of LOndeu The society Of AntigaArisns Of elias
gov The Asia tic Society, the Royal Society Of Know
ledge Al Gotinger, Bible and Tract Societies every
where Members Of the Academy Of Design The Dus-
ssldOrf Art Association, and last but not least 1s
| Young Meas CArisiaH Association.
The FIRST regular duty or work Of the Young Mems
| Arsn.iafioN ss 20
dsnons, such type efregion susk an illustration Of the
beauty strength, and value Of hslinsss, that he that
s Of contrary nind may be ashamed, having no evil
hing to say Of you. This win imply eeAiast pro.
ssslor Of goduess Piesy must give tone to your bust
ness sanotiy your conversation and refine your
nsrs. Il win constitute you ncu Of public prayer Of
generous synpsthiss and impulses fu Of good works
It win make you careful daily Bible readers sFs1 to
rstsoon on your inner lives and 10 stated meditation
On the character and attributes Of eod Yeu aust a.
members Of the body be what you profess represent
yourselves, for herein lies the us Of power,
the secret Of your The eject Of holy consistent
living was beautifully illustrated BY young mechanic,
who by humble earnest prayer the entire Remuneration
Of The worlds prdss and foies and by LppropTia
ting faith in the pleased stOnsnsnt had been elected
child Of Heaven, Priest Ct tho Most High, and Joint
Heir With Jesus Christ Walking always in full view Of
the Rsdoensr AID abiding under the shadow Of the
cross, this loEly disciple was the happy instrument In
the hands Of his Master, Of teaching whole family Of
wealth and Positon who where merely asaliaai pro
ie'sor The saving ssaey OF the truth as it Is in Jssus
seoondly Il Is the day Of the Association to reach
every young man in the town and nsighborhOod,
| peoisly those out Of the Church. This is no snail
work II should Be done BY systsn, committees should
consult a. TO Who Ia best adapted b. their deep psy
souna judgement and culture to visi certain persons
The proper tins and right place should be considered
but in every instance the consralning love Of chr
should and excite the parties aetsn and aone
I however pervesse obstinate should he given up
The speaker related circumstances q perssA Who'
an. .o.i.tx Of HE place we're fasting and praying