The New York herald., 1873-11-05
THE GALAXY LECTURES.
Rev. Henry Ward Bcccher fn the Church
of the Disciples.


of the Disciples.
In the Church of the Disciples, Madison avenue
and Forty-ifth street, there was neither sitting
nor standing room last night. 1t was densely
crowded to the door with most fashionable and
discriminating audience to hear the Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher lecture on the in
terestng subject OF the "Wastes and
Burdens OF Life." The lecturer commenced
by stating that civil society is necessity not a
convenience; that the common interests OF the
human family impelled mankind to 1--we together.
Society was, in fact the result Of the needs OF our
race. Whatever there may be in Darwinism, it is
a fact that man Is an animal, and that he is
longer than any other genus in acquiring the
means and ability of defending and providing
for himself Men are born helpless, and have
to 90 through all the gradations OF life success
sively. Step by step must man progress to meas
urabe perfection, depending upon his surround.
ings and natural abilities. Education is the in
spiration OF intelligence. The best educated
nations furnish the most intelligent workmen. The
English stand highest, the Swiss and French next.
II the scale were tried in America, the American
would stand at the h cad OF the ladder.
The weakness and waste from misdirected efforts
in lie arise from an injudiclous selection OF the
way in which men should employ their funda-
by parents In miseducating their children; wish
ing to make out OF an idiot brilliant lawyer,
as ast Of an ALDER Whistle or as Enough aas
spindle-shanked, narrowed-browed weakllng
could be converted into an orator or minister,
with all the heavy cares OF o congregation of
precious souls. Men choose their professions now,
as they have done before, without any regard TO
with useless nonentities. People viii learn
vances. The misadjustments in societies OF
talents to trades produce deplorabc results. Many
men are brokers and nnlD bankers whom we know are
are the chief essentials OF success. 1t requires
man Of steel, with heart-perhaps conscience
Hnsie' %sn feels himself % 100 high oisSen6i for his aD
nss ss ss s eHe & stsp men until as
do Some men have gone through Life without
touching the reservoirs OF their faculties. Con.
idence in man is to society what the attraction OF
gravitation is to the globe. Therefore, lying, the
fourth weakness, as stealing, away the confidence
Cody w polite Lying freezes ' '' the common IN ION
wealth OF prosperity and takes away the brightest
OF many allie. Dishonesty, next, is the bane OF
is medium of circulation-"'Twas yours It's
mine. tits his, and has been slaves to thousands"
sop pT awhile Ss of
but do not destroy wealth. Individuals may
benefited Contraction and economy at last take
the place OF imitation and extravaganza. Dis
honesty makes all kinds OF business cautious and
to guard wealth, are the product OF the
theirs existence. Dishonesty compes the enor-
against the housebreaker and the robber. Should
dishonesty die tonight New York would not know
itself IN the morning, And Heaven knows what
would happen II IL died ont in the national capital
Dissipation IL another OF the wastes Of lie.
Artists, students, orators, men Of genius-these.
active minds are those who mostly suffer from
dissipation. The whole body OF society is marred
by It's sears. whenever, In the lower forms, men
are given to dissipation, it taxes away from
10
1dence in workmen or employees who are
afflicted with the fatal disease. AS the fruiterer
picks out every apple tnat Is specked, so the pot-
ical economist should reject rom the heap OF So
cety every man who Is tainted with this disease.
into the veins OF youthful scions OF noble
trees 1t is the curse OF France that her
population don't grow-she that spends eighty
per cent on the army and navy, sixteen per cent
education Of her people. Nations have not yet
forgone the insanity OF war. Hate is stronger
than love-wine is stronger than blood; which
latter men love whether we wish 1t or not.
man who can hate and destroy his
enemy Is the respected among men, while the
man who loves the Lord is a useless waster. Here
the lecturer rected in detail the war debts OF the
count Of which the nations are mort
saged for hundred years to come
collecting their strength. Preparation Is long;
consumption is short We are preparing mighty
going backwards; 1t is progressing and will surely
reach for food the cultivated spot beyond
the desert In which we stand. The animal
man Is fighting the angel man, and
the result cannot be doubtful. First,
we must be men, then citizens. Afterwards, can
we easily become lawyers, physicians and men OF
businessf A republican government can only live
through love OF the people; and these to be citl-
zens, must be interested and partake In the
cares OF government. man must not ex-
pect to be excused from his turn at the
pump when the ship Is In danger. lie
ought not to think himself privileged Ike the Bird
to build securely his nest In the cleft OF tree, and
when the social fabric Is rocked and shaken by the
winds OF adversely, say to himself "Ah well, let
it blow, am secure any way.n The lecturer con-
cuded by expressing his earnest wishes for the
advancement OF education among women-the