The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-10-15

vention of the art of printing Surely, IL mas
been long time about. Which is the most
material object - the farthing tallow candle
that win not give me light, or the flaming gas
that will :? [Cheers.1 Now don't let us be
discouraged or deceived by vain, vapia,
empty words The true material age IS
the stupid Chinese age, in which no new
and Grand revelations of nature are granted,
because they are ignorantly and insolently re-
pelled, instead of being diligently and humbly
SOUGHT. TCheers1 The difference between
the antique fiction of the mad braggart defy,
ING the lightning and the modern historical
picture Of Franklin drawing it towards his
kite. in order that he might the more pro-
foundly study what was set before MIN 10
study, Tor it would not have been there,) nap
PLY expresses to my mind the difference be-
tween our much magned material sages ana
the certainly, in one sense, very immaterlal
sages of the Celestial Empire school. Consider
whether it is likely or unlikely, natural or un-
natural, reasonable or unreasonable, that l,
being capable of thought, and finding my
self surrounded by such discovered won
question sometimes, and put to myself the
solemn consideration, ''Can these things
be among those which might have been
disclosed by Divine lips nigh upon two thous
and years ago, but that the people Of that time
could not bear them ?" But, whether that be
so or not, being so surrounded on every hand,
is not my moral responsibility tremendously
increased thereby, and with 1t my Intelligent
submission OF myself, as child of Adam and
of DUST before that shining source equally OF
all that is granted and all that is withheld,
who holds in His mighty hand the unapproach-
able mysteries of life and death !? lCheers.
Let me give the students Of the industrial
classes generally a short motto In two words,
Courage, persevere." l do not give them
49, fI,n Of Lrrrn n
upon them, for | do not in the least believe
-[langhter]-nOr because the eyes of Eng
land are upon them, for do not in the least
believe that either; nor because their doings
will be proclaimed with blast of trumpet at the
street corners, for no such musical performance
will take place-[laughter]-no because self
improvement Is at all certain to lead to
worldly success; but simply because it is good
and right Of itself, and therefore, Will assuredly
bring with it its own resources and its own re-
wards. would further commend to them
very wise and witty piece of advice on the
conduct of the understanding, which was given
more than half o century ago by the Rev. sgd
ney Smith-wiscst and wittiest of the friends
have lost. Speaking to circle of voluntary
students, he says: ''There is piece Of fOppery
which is to be cautiously guarded against, the
foppery ofuniversality, Of Knowing all sciences,
of excelling in all arts s-chemistry, mathemat-
les, algebra, daacing, history, reason, riding,
fencing, low Dutch, high Dutch, and
natural philosophy. In short, the modern
precept of education 7ery often is-take the
Admiral Crichton for your model, and be
ignorant Of nothing. My advice, on the contra
ry, Is to have the courage to be ignorant OF a
great number of things, in order that you may
avoid the calamity Of being ignorant of every
thing. [Cheers and laughter To this lwould
superadd little truth, which holds equally
good Of my own life, and of the life Of every
eminent man l have ever known. Ihe one
serviceable, safe, certain, remunerative, at
pursuit, is the quality OF attention. My inven-
ton or Imagination, such as 1t Is, can most
truthfully assure you would never have served
me rs it has but for the habit of commonplace,
humble patient, daily toiling. drudging at
tention. [Applause.] Genius, vivaclty, quick
ness of perception, and brllllancy In the as
sociation of ideas-such mental qualities, IKE
the secret of the apparition of the armed head
in Macbeth, will not be commanded; but atten-
tion, after due term of submissive service, al
ways will. Like certain plants which the poor
est peasant may grow on the poorest soil, 1t can
be cultivated by any one, and 1t Is certain In Its
good season to bring forth flowers and fruit.
[Applause.] / cannot but reflect how often
you have probably heard within these walls
one of the foremost men and certainly one OF
the best Gf not the very best) speakers in
England. [Cheers.l | could not say to. my
self, when began Just now in shakespeare's
line, g will be bright and shining gold j"
[laughterl- could and did say 10 myself,
II will be as easy and as natural as possibly
can, because my heart has long been in my
subject, and | bear an old love towards Bir-
mingham and towards Birmingham men and
women. The ring I now wear was Biz
mingham gift, and if by rubbing it | could
raise the spirit that was obedicnt to Aladdin's
ring, assure you that my first instruction TO
the geni on the spot would be to place himself
at Birmingham's disposal in the best Of causes.
[Cheers.1