New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-09-21

waited down for our instruction and comfort from we
know not how gray antiquity wherein the prophet
mourning for his gourd that had wtthered, as Also
for his faed prophecy that the great city should ex
plate ts sins by utter destruction, until God 30 forcpv
demonstrates with him "Thou wouldst have spared the
gourd, which up in night and perished IN mgnS
ana shall spare great Nineyeh, wherein are more
than sx-score thousand persons who know not their
right hand from their left and also much cattle Phow
could we give up such precious gimpses OF what may
call the reenting tender phase OF the DIVINE NATURE
that which IL from the towering glacier ana
mantne rock and shows that our kinder human
impulses are but shadows Of emotions far nobler pure
higher, which were from the beginning ana shall cnuu
when Time shall be more Z
This then, Is my thought To the moral edneaion anu
development OF race, vivid conception OF Coos &C
tive presence and conscious intelligent Interest III nu
man affairs is Indispensable IL was such ooncep'ion
which made the Hebrews peculiar people-nay, IN spite
of their conspicuous faults, great people 1ne ihV
chile vitality, their distinctive, unconqueraoe, honoge
nety against which many tyrant prosecutors nave
hurled themselves in vain. would nave pech meiEu
away in the course Of any two OF the ast 20
had theirs been Pantheistc conception OF God Their
euryival people, though long dvesteu OF country
and even q chief, striking PROOF OF the conserva
tive force that inheres In the idea OF God to whom
those who will may draw practically, consciously nearer
than are those who know Him not though those, too
arc subjects OF His care The bloodess speculation
which vaunts itself Philosophy and Enlightenment has
rarefed the ether wherein 1t works, until the undevout
astronomer" alone can tell what 1t believes or aims TO
teach with regard toour theme But whatever else may
be affirmed or denied thereof it hardly be doubted
that the general drift of this speculation is toward
weakened Of moral responsibility. 1t inspires no
such horror Of dread of Divney decreed and ad
minister ed retbuton do the canons of ancient Faith
Choosing rather to suffer affection with the children
Of God than to enjoy the pleasures Of sin for season.
in he
philosophy which precludes all retrbution which Is not
the necessary consequence of violating benefeeDt laws
whose regard punishment is but another phase OF
gravitation In such philosophy selfdenal finds no
alment conscience spur and the love and practice OF
virtue no safeguard in that "fearfu looking for judg
ment" which pursues and overtakes the transgressOr
In the education Of the intellect, mankind have made
great strides since the birth Of this century whether
regard the number taught or the knowledge impaired
progress made has been marvellous Science ana Lit
erature alike rejoice in augmented treasures which they
prefer with open hand TO ALL But there's no correspond
ing progress in our average moral culture nay the
number Of those who blend the knowledge OF Humboldt
with the ethics of Dick Tupin Jonathan Wild would
seem TO be rapidly Increasing That one Is master OF
many sciences and many tongues affords no trustworthy
assurance that he may not at moment stand forth
an Aaron Burr in lack Of principle, and Rulof in re-
voting hideOus crime. Hence the higher education OF
daymost wisely in purpose If not always III meth
Odsessays base its institutes and processes on Re
gon and TO ground the character it seeks TO form on
the firm foundation Of Christian Faith and Love. 1t
realizes that the youth is but half educated at best
whose intellect is developed and instructed While his
moral sense remains dormant, his conscience asleep II
not perverted They eminenty right who hold the
soul by far the better part of Mans immateal nature
whose health and training far essential than
the due unfolding and nurture Of his mind In highly
educated beasts the world already abounds, while 1t has
never yet been amply blessed with devoted reverent.
sanity loving men. TO develop intellectual abi
ties far less difficult and less useful than to persuade
their possessor those powers ntedty to the
highest good Of his fellow-men
This then. I approhend, is the proper work of the
College, To appreciate, and measure, and undistrust'
fully accept and commend, the gigantic strides which
Physical Science making in our day. yet be not swept
away by them; TO lend attentive and appropriated
ear to the bold speculaons of our Darwins and Hux
leys wherein they almost to lay confident finger
on the very heart Of the great mystery of e without
fear that they will eyct God from His universe or
restrict Him 10 some obscure thereof TO welcome
all that is true and benehcent in the mpetuous currents
of modern thought but not exaggerate their breadth
and depth, nor accept their direction as authoritative
and final to prefer genial and gracious hospitality to
whatever nobly yet hold fast and from time TO
time assert the grand old truths which are grounded IL
the nature of Man and his relations TO the universe
the firm assurance that discoveries in science adj
vances in human knowledge, can invadate
bete the Golden Rule, and conclusion OF philoso-
ply ever equal in Importance that simple affirmation Of
the unaught Judean peasant who long ago perceived
and proclaimed that God is Love-