Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-01-29
Lecture last Evening.

The nature and properties of earnestness.
Between man who is man in form only,
and Milton or kossuth, the contrast is al
most too great for belief. Among the char
acteristics of earnestness the Impotence of
control and confidence in results were dwelt
upon and illustrated by reference to Napoleon
Bonaparte, Admiral Nelson, and other illus
trlous men. Luther on his way to the Diet of
Worms and one of Carlislc's presentations of
human stupidity, would indeed offer worthy
field for the skill Of a panter--or the sturdy
reformer ncrved for the desperate encounter
with his enemies, though they were as many
devils as tiles upon the house, and a man, or
rather sort of hybrid between man and the
vegetable kingdom, the whole circle of whose
ideas is confined to the hours of eating and
sleeping and the surest methods of saving la
Dor. There is difference between earnest
ness and decision of character. Both quail
ties, fully developed, are indispensable to the
highest style of man. Louis XVI of France
had no lack of WILL but yet feeber character
never figured upon the page Of history. Had
it been his chief study how to bring his own
head to the block, and precipitate upon his
subjects the frightful torrent of blood which
flowed through long years of gloom and ter
ror he hardly could have contrived the thing
more adrotly. A contrast was drawn between
him and the mighty Napoleon, laundering on
in his car of victory. OF all the qualities
that gave success to Napoleon, was the cleo
oc
quick decisions. Nelson chafed and fretted
at the distractions of cred tape" Il have
fought" said he, contrary to orders, and
shall perhaps be hanged. Never mind let
them" This audacity becomes great only
when it is supported by great abilities. In
the recent war, if Napoleon had been
brought to the surface instead of a Grant,
while his arm would have been too strong for
the rebellion, it would also have been too
strong for the liberties of the people.
| The nature of earnestness was farther set
+ forth by reference to the sentiments with
which mankind commonly regard it, especial
ly when it combines with other great qualities
and rises into forms of bold daring and sub
lime achievements. 1t is admired sometimes
] as the thunder and tempest, for its terrific
might, no matter for the ruin il causes There
are men for whom Millions satan would have
unspeakably stronger attractions than the
most harmless saint in all the calendar The
self-reliant nature which had rather .'reign in
hell than serve in heaven" has its admirers.
In this sense, we often admire what we cannot
bat 4 i
ness bids us hate. An earnest bunder has
more interest for men in general than tame
propriety. 1t is the vehement earnestness
that attracts and fixes attention. But there
are charms in earnest goodness Here the
speaker referred to the life of Jesus, who at
twelve years of age went about his fathers
business. The character of Howard and
other glorious martyrs of philanthropy, libcr-
ty and religion, were dwelt upon. They
were great and earnest souls, and their names
are watchword to those who battle for the
truth. The names of Florence Nightcngale
and Dorothy Dix will stand for the thousands
upon thousands of the weaker and better sex
who are fulfilling the ministry of angels The
speaker then descended to the lowly vale. and
closed this part of his subject by giving ex-
amples of true heroes and heroines.
The lecturer then considered, secondly
upon what does earnestness dcpends 1t de-
ponds lst, upon mental constitution I'd, up
on physical constitutions Sd, natural scenery
4th, habit; 9Th, the part OF our nature to
which the existing cause addresses. The
n .u IL
bodies; one body may be no better than a
prison. while the other furnishes abundant
accommodations. Earnestness depends large
ly upon the texture Of the animal frame.
After giving in an interesting and able man
ner illustrations showing the outward mani
festations of earnestness, DIR. Kicker pro-
ceeded to the last point in the dscussion-,he
Importance of giving it right direction. 1t
is evident that earnestness is very desirable,
but when once possessed its great value de-
ponds upon giving it right direction. I'm
fortunately it has been too commonly misdi-
rected, as shown by the characters of Byron,
Georgey, Voltairc, Paine Mirabeau and Burr.
Abundance of opposite examples were given,
such as Washington, Lincoln, Wilberforce,
Newton, Franklin, Brainard, Hall and judi
! son.
New England character is eminently earn
est; its pent up forces must be constantly
breaking loose and taking firm, if not in one
direction, then in another. Hence the re-
sponsibility of those who have in charge the
education of the young. Woe to them if
their energy exnends itself in dissipation.
Give them true notions of what constitutes
real success in life; not the seeking of money
not the serving of self in any form. If
goodness be not the principal aim, life is just
as certain to prove failure as that there is
any uniform connection between cause and
effect. For the young, and indeed for us all,
Cardinal w olsey's dying counsel to Thomas
Cromwell has force and meaning not often
found in compass so narrow
MARX but my fail and that which ruined me-
Cromwetl, charge thee fling away ambition