Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-12-14
LETTER FROM CAMDEN.
LECTURES - TEMPERANCE REFORM - SHIP
Br1Lp1xG.

CAMDEN, Dec. IL.
The lecture going citizens of this village
are to be favored during the winter with a
course of lectures, under the auspices of the
Congregational society. The pastor, Rev
II. A. Shorey, announced last Sunday that
Rev. W. H. H. Murray, Governor Perham,
Rev. VIM. B. Wright of Boston, Prof living
of Portland, David Barker, the Maine Poet,
Hon. Nelson Dingley Of Lewiston, and others
were expected. Last night we listened to the
first on the course, Rev. W. H. II. Murray,
on "My Creed" He said many surprising
and sensible things. He said that what we
thought to-day somebody would think to-
morrow. Our crseds were the result of pub
lie opinion, that element which is stronger
than laws, stronger than the press, and
stronger than the church. The speaker said
that he never would preach a ere ed that an
other man had formed. For ten years he had
studied the problem Of a creed, aud had not
as yet found one that expressed all the
thoughts of the brain and soul One humane
principle down deep in the heart is worth
more than all the creeds. What we need,
said he, is the spirit Of brotherhood and unity.
Let the graves back ofu have their triumphs,
my eye searcheth not for an arena, but for a
common platform The pulpit is no place
for verbal thunders, but place to bandage
up the broken spirits of humanity, instead of
keeping alive the old antagonsm that may
have served in the past. My creed, said he,
favors mirth. l love fun and admire wit.
Every man must be law unto himself. The
speaker believed that our religion would be
better if it were heavily fringed with the
colder tassels Of mirth. Every man, woman
and child should have a perfect physique.
The vice of America is seeming to be what
we are not. Other nations have their vices.
That of France is fckleness, Spain, bigotry,
Italy artistic Incidence Germany, skepticism.
Ireland, rashness, and England, selfshness.
In this brief abstract we give your readers
only an outline of Murray lecture-ailecture
not only highly entertaining, but one that will
do much in moulding public opinion as it is
delivered from place to place.
We have had several temperance meetings
here of late, and much interest is manifested,
but no measures as yet have been taken to
stop The sale of intoxicating drinks. The
county sheriff does not find any one guilty of
selling, but men and boys are seen drunk in
our streets every day. Men who had once
reformed are drinking again. Legal suasion
is all that we need just now to put stop to
this wicked business. The incoming sheriff
is republican and temperance man. We
hope he will be faithful in executing the laws.
Public sentiment is lectured up to reform and
legal suasion. All that we ask for now is the
enforcement of the laws. The County Lodge
Of Good Templars meets here the 18TH
Ship building, an important branch, which
has suffered for many years, will be revived
the coming season. Three vessels have al
ready been launched within the past two
months. The firm of Carleton Norwood
Co., now talk of building two chips, one of
fourteen hundred tons and the other of eight
hundred. number ofsmallcr vessels will be
built by other parties. This enterprise will
give employment to large number of men.
Camden is destined to be noted as a ship
building, lime burning, anchor making. and
car manufacturing town. These enterprises
now in their infancy are growing rapidly.
KAPPA.
Attorney General Williams, with the con-
sent of the President, proposes to the conflict
ing bodies in Alabama, claiming each to be
the legislature, that the officers of each Or
ganization tender their resignation, and that
on a day to be named all who have regular
certificates Of election, in House and Senate,
shall meet and organize, but those whose
elections are disputed shall take no part in
the organization, their cases to be decided in
the House and Senate by an actual count Of
the votes cast for them, or by the evidence of
inspectors, and those who are found to have
had the highest vote cast for them to be adj
mitted to seats.