Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-03-17
Our Boston Letter.
BosToN, March Z, 1870.

i.
in the Horticultural Hall was Instituted
by those who are known as leaders in the
Liberal Christian party in this city ana
vicinity. In these lectures, each of which
was by different lecturer, was treated va
rious topics of moral and aesthetic charac
ter, and the various aspects Of the reform
which they are engaged in carrying on al
the present time. 1t is almost needless tc
say, what is quite well known, that the
. spirit an animus of these lectures, one
and all, were in opposition to religious
views held in this city, known as evangel
ical. These lectures have been continued
this winter, with nearly the same lectur.
ers, and, perhaps, with nearly the identi'
cal audience, both in numbers and per-
sons.
The lecturers this season, being twelve
in number, furnished an opportunity fol-
the New York Independent to give briei
article of the life of each; the whole list
being headed, probably, in irony, The
Twelve Apostles of Heresy." Among
these lecturers are Mr.. Weiss, the lineal
successor of Theodore Parker; Mr.. Long
| fellow, the brother of the poet, a Unita-
rian by nature; Mr.. Garrison, Mrs.
Howe, Wendell Phillips and Mr.. Abbott
of Toledo, Ohio, who represented the ex-
elusive christianity of Christ aud who
believe that Socrates was the greater man
t.f IL \ fh,+ I ha~ aI
Christianity dates back to Socrates.
These lecturers, mea and women, prob
ably choose their own subjects, which are
quite varied III character ; the character
of the day not necessarily calling for re-
ligious treatises But however much they
may differ in many things among them
selves, they are harmonized in common
antipathy to Puritan Professionalism the
"superstitious" believers i'll the divinity
of Christ and inspiration of the Scrip
lures. It is II fact there seems to be no
bugbeur 80 great to them IN the Author of
Christianity; and no people are SO blind
to them as his followers. There is some
thing about the first principles of Chris
tianity that does not suit them. 1t seems
to be their mission tn reform the former
universal faith, and improve humanity"
generally.
This intellectual, talking. writing, agi-
tating free-thinking spirit is quite conta-
geous, and there are few public undenomi-
national institutions in this part of the
| IL hno h
Der in it who may not at any time break
out of sudden, and join the general
chorus in aid of humanity"
1t has been the fashion with this party,
in years past, to laud the advanced think
ers of Germany and so much was said
by them, and implied, that the general
public might well have got the idea that
most other clergymen and scholars in this
country were really ignorant of German
literature, and the different forms of be-
lief and unbelief aud speculation which
the continent of Europe has furnished to
the religious world.
In opposition, partly at least to this
spirit of infdelity and loose religious
d
phicsl character. or more properly soien-
tific aim, have taken place, at the sugges-
ton, probably, of the Orthodox Congrega-
tionalists. These were delivered on Monday
afternoons in Freeman Chapel; latterly,
for more room, in Mr.. kirk's church.
These houses being in the vicinity of
the business part of the city, were filled
by professional men of all classes, and all
shades of religious belief We're represented
among the hearers. Among these lectur-
ers were Professor Fisher and Prof.
Woolsey, of Yale College, Professor Pea
body of Harvard College, Prof Smyth OF
Andover, and others. These lecturers
have been dispassionate, methodical, and
comprehensive in their treatment of the
chosen or assigned subjects. And for a
respectful regard for the religious senti-
ments and feelings of all others differing
from them, and close adherence to the
rule and customs of scientific thought and
method of procedure, their lectures have
surpassed all others, given upon this gen.
era Su b]eet, IN THIS CITY.
Twelve members of the American So
ciul Science Association give each one lec-
ture of course of twelve before the Lo-
we'll Institute, some of which have taken
place Mr. G. G. Perkins of this city, a
connoisseur in art has lectured on Art
and Education in the United States. He
favored tho establishment of our public
art museum in this city, and would en-
courage art schools, free and otherwise,
that should be accessible to the working
people The fact that the French and
exhibition in Paris far excelled the En-
glish in regard to taste, without sacra-
fcing utility, was found to be owing to
the fact, that in Paris one is surrounded
of art schools are taught as public pol
icy, and also.by private enterprise. AS
this has been long continued it has pro-
duced its effect, in raising the tone of the
people generally. AS a proof that this
superiority is not all a national charac-
teristic, but acquired, he says that the
French artisans who come to New York,
find that their tastes degenerates quite
rapidly, for the want of the favorable
surroundings which they left at home,
and many of them soon return to France
under this encouragement. Among the
lecturers to come are those of Prof. Pierce
ON Coast Survey, Prof. Pampelly on
Chinese Questions, Pres. Woolsey of Yale
College, on Police Power, and David Dud-
ley Field on Representation OF Minorities.
A REMARKABLE INCIDENT.-The Port
lane Argus gives currency to most re-
markable incident. 1t says that few
evenings since, as freight train, behind
time, was passing Oak Hill Station, in
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