Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-01-18
"Names and Surnames"-AL Lit
erary and Musical Treat.

The first Presbyterian Church was
filed last night by one of the largest and
most select audiences assembled during
the season in this city. In accordance
with previous announcement, a grand
concert was given in aid of the Protestant
Orphan Asylum and the Confederate
Orphan Asylum at GAINESVILLE, and an
able and instructive lecture was delivered
by Rev. DR.. Moore on the subject,
'tNames and Surnames. About two
hours were occupied in the various exer-
cises, yet the audience gave no signs of
WEAKNESS, and paid the most respectful
attention to the lengthy address. OF DR..
Moore's effort it is unnecessary to speak
in detail, as q very full report of the ad-
dress is given below, but it may be said
that his remarks were well received, and
that many of his humorous anecdotes
excited the disabilities of the audience.
Had the lecture been delivered elsewhere,
and with less solemn surroundings, he
would doubtless have been greeted with
frequent applause.
OF the music it does not become US TO
speak in detail, for it might seem invidi-
GUS to psrticulsrize where all were so
worthy of commentator. We may
safely say that the selections were taken
from the celebrated productions of the
great masters, and that they were render
ed in style worthy of the occasion and
oreditsble to all the choir. Some of our
best amateur vocalists took part in the
exercises, and their rendition of the
conceptions of Hayden and Rossini
evinced great musical taste and ability.
From the large audience we should
Judge that the receipts were very satisfac-
tory; and the concert may be pronounced
in every way success.
At half-past seven o'clock, after vol
untary, the exercises were opened with
prayer by Rev. DR.. Price.
The remaining exercises were cOnduc-
ted according TO the following:
/. "Sanctus, from Mozart's 'Twelfth
Mass, Choir.
si2. "Gloris in Excelsis"-Quartette-
Buck-Mrs. johnson, Miss Bailey, Messrs.
Molengrsft and Stewart.
8. Lecture-Rey. T. V. Moore, D. D.
Subject: Names and Surnames.
4. Solo, 'tOn Mighty Pens" Haydn's
'CreauOQ' MIS-. OEalG.
8. '1nfammstus, Rossini's "Stabat
Mater"-Mrs. Craig and Choir.
LECTURE OF REV. 7. V. MOORE, .. D.
DR.. Moore then delivered very inter
esting address on 'eNanles and Surnames, 4"
some portions of which we present in
full, while others are condensed.
The Doctor said: A very distinguished
authority in the world of letters has said,
"What's in g name9 That which we
call rose, by any other name would
smell as sweet But there can be little
doubt that the great bard was inwardly
chuckling at his own sophism, when he
wrote these words, and imagining how a
rose would smell if called by some of those
malodorous names which he could much
easier think than we could pronounce, In
such a performance as this. Indeed, we
have not the smallest doubt that Shaks-
peare could have invented name for a
rose that would have kept it in bad odor
as long as the name chung to it; and that
would have been as long as it existed.
No one knew better than Shakespeare that
there was a great deal in a name; and no
one would have beer further from call
ing hero "Sir Andrew Aguecheek, or
a dignifed jurist, ''Dogberry or Shallow. I"
Names are things, as many men have
found to their cost, when, like their I'M
fortunate brethren of the canine family,
of whom the prOverb speaks, they have
had bad name fastened on them. But
names have not only a significance in
the present, but also a relation to the past,
that makes them to be histories as well
as biographies in epitome-histories that
are sometimes, like Egyptian hieroglyph-
les, wrapped in mystery and enigma.
When We think of the importance of
names, il is a matter of surprise that his
tory records 50 little concerning their
origin aud significance. Our nameis our
self. As far as all communication with
our fellow creatures Is concerned, they
know US and think of US by our name;
we know and think of ourselves by our
name; and if there is to be any memorial
of our personal existence after we have
passed away, it is TO be by our name.
1t is the existence of names that makes
society, indeed, the interchange of Ian
guage, possible; and the use of names
constitutes some of the most potent spells
of influence that we can exert on the
human mind. A name will kindle a ma
ton to enthusiasm as it is uttered, and
become the battle,cry of armies. A name
will rouse people to rage, and become a
target for its eXecration and hate. A
name will bring the tears 10 a mother
eye az she thinks of its little bearer in its
cold and narrow bed. A name will