The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-01-23
Lyceums and Lectures.

Arepublic Is the noblest field for the lee
turer and the essayist They are popular
educators the importance of whose work is
gauged precisely by the secular activity and
political power OF those whom they influence.
For, IN such case, the need of instruction
! is urgent, while the time that can be devot-
ed to intellectual recreation and culture is
very short. Tue raople need to know. a
thousand things which they have no leisure
and little inclination to master by the slow
processes OF study. And, therefore, they
| have reason to esteem the teacher who con-
denses and reproduces the results Of study
who interrupts the monotony Of practical
life with passages oftruth and beauty-as a
public benefactor.
We regard the lyceums and other literary
clubs, established for the maintenance of
popular lectures, as we'll worthy Of encour-
agemeut. We cordially commend those in
stitutions because they ore doing, however
unobstrusively, o great work, and are sup
plying, not without self-sacridce, great
necessity. And among the institutions Se
take especial pleasure in saying good
word in behalf OF the Cheraw Lyceum, which
will celebrate its fifteenth anniversary N the
22d day Of February.
The first lecture before this society was
delivered by tine lamented w. Gilmoce Simms.
who, ever after, regarded it with animated
Interest, as model institution. A course
Of lectures has been secured during every
subsequent year, with the exception Of the
two years Immediately after the war, when
the exercises were suspended on account OF
the want OF a room, the lyceum hall having
been sent heavenward to be out of the way
Of Sherman's army. From time to time, lee
lures have been delivered by some OF the
ablest and most distinguished men in our
State and from North Carolina. The plan
has been never to invite second rate men,
but to summon to the desk persons of posi-
ton, OF learning, OF oratorical power, or OF
public influence. In this way the lyceum
has obtained reputation, and it has been es-
teened by some as q compliment to be in
yited to lecture before it. The list Of lectu-
rers for this year, as reported to US by the
chairman OF the Executive Committee, dis
plays the traditional policy Of this admirable
institution. 1t is as follows: Right Rev.
P. N. Lynch, D. D., Charleston; Hon. jas.
Chesnu:, Camden; Rev. D. Mcqueen, Sum-
ter; Hon. John E. Carew, Charleston; Rev.
Whitefoord Smith, D. D., Spartanbcrs;
Right Rev. Thomas Atkinson, D. D., Wit
mlngton; Hon. John A. Inslis, Baltimore.
The course conducted by such men cannot
fail to he deeply interesting.
We would he rejoiced if, by this little no.
tice, we could direct the attention of our
people to an important slhject. In these
dayA OF depression and hard work. we need
some relief from the pressure OF material in
terests-some recreation that shall instruct
while it entertains-some pure pleasure to
quicken. the intellect and stir the blood.
Aud we know nothing better for this pur-
pose than the Institution OF lectures under
the patronage of literary associations in the
various cities and towns OF our State. II
conducted with the prudeace which has con-
trolled the Cheraw Lyceum, such an under
taking could not fail OF success And 1t
would be beyond all question, OF the great
est public benefit.