The Cecil Whig., 1873-04-05
The Lectures of Hon. c. Chauncey Burr.

liNereu at the Odd FellOWS Hall IN Elkt0T
on anthropology, by the distinguished nat.
uralist, Hon. c. Chauncey Burr, was con-
cluded on Monday night, with the lecture
on the Fossil Remains Of Man. These lee
lures were the only scientific lectures ever
delivered in Elkton, and as it was rea-
sonable, perhaps, to have expected, did not
receive that patronage which a more culti-
waited community in the sciences would
have accorded such remarkable, and learn
ed discourses. But deep interest was
awakened in portion of the thinking and
inquring part of our citizens, which is not
likely to pass away and be forgotten, in a
short time, as is the case with lectures on
some lighter, but more pleasing subject to
the mass of persons who prefer to be anus
ed for an hour, rather than instructed.
Like all new sciences which institute
inquiry into the nature and character Of
man, and the earth which is his home, the
lectures Of Mr.. Burr seem to have created
excessive uneasiness in the minds of many,
doubtless well. meaning people, who appear
to be haunted with species of supersti-
tious dread at the thought of inquiring
philosophically into mans nature and dis
tinguishing characteristics; historically,
anatomically and physioiosically consider
ed. If the proper study of man is man,
as the poet declares, the inquiry into his
origin and physical nature, by the lights
of history and science should constitute one
of the most interesting, as we'll as protita-
BILE studies possible to engage in.
1t is impossible to attempt to give
sketch of Mr.. Burr's learned lectures in
! brief newspaper notice, more than refer in
very casual way to the fundamental prin-
ciples developed by the study of anthropol-
ogy. Science adduces overwhelming proofs
which are impossible of refutation, that the
different races of men found on the earth,
have not changed from their original type,
in the course Of five thousand years, so
much as the bredth of hair. Each dis
tinct race is fairly proven to be now exact
| ly as it existed at the earliest dawn of
Egyptian history. Here the science of
comparative anatomy and physiology step
i'll and prove some half dozen or more
races to be SO entire and distinct, each of
his kind, that the customary belief of
common origin as popularity understood, is
invested with serious doubts, if not conclu-
sively disproved. At this point, many
religionists who have settled down in their
own minds, on an unalterable theory re-
specting the Interpretation of the Bible
account of creation, as given in Genesis,
take alarm, and declare that such doctrines
are pernicious to the public mind, and serve
TO create doubt in the average mind, of the
truth of Bible records. Science has met
this objection in all ages. Astronomy was
confronted with this objection, and con-
demned as an infidel belief, and at war with
the word of God. Geology, at later per-
iod had the same grave objections urged
against it. Chemistry was black art
and denounced as veritable child of Satan.
But these sciences being truths that the
minds of men were capable of grasping,
and when fairly considered, denial became
not only did not tend to weaken the truths
of holy writ, but served rather as lamps to
the feet of the inquirer after gospel truth,
dispelling much of darkness and error that
had before clouded the mind of men.
1t has ever been found a vain task, as it
is foolish one, to deny without inquiry,
the truths of science. They have always
asserted their power and claimed recogni-
ton; and when at last it has been discov-
cred that views have been entertained
of the meaning of scripture texts, which
the revelations of science make i'm
possible; it has been found that neither
science or revelation was at fault, but that
mans understanding alone was in error.
And so it will continue to be with every
truth which science ever unfolds. 1t is
mans moral nature, as it is his physical
nature, to close his eyes and blink at the
first rays of light that break upon him.
But after little while he becomes filled
with the light that surrounds him, and the
beauty and harmony of creation break
S
And as the history of the past has proven
that all attempts to deny the truths of
astronomy, geology, chemistry, and in
fact, all the sciences, from an erroneous
Bible stand point, SO it will prove in that
of anthropology, or any other science
which is clearly established to be true as ex-
pounded by its teachers. Nothing less
than truth will withstand the research and
inquiry of years of patient investigation;
and when truth once asserts her supre-
macy, all beliefs which conflict with it, no
matter how fondly cherished or hugged to
the heart of man, must go down before it.
The last lecture of the course concluded
with a spicy little debate between Rev.
Mr.. Johns and the lecturer. Mr.. Johns,
attempted to deny the facts advanced by
Mr.. Burr in reference to animals of pecu-
liar type being confined to particular zones
or portions of the earth S surface, and more
especially this theory as applied to the
human species. The reverend gentleman
questioned, with good deal Of boldness,
many of the theories advanced in the lee
lures, and denied not few of the facts in
toto; but he found his antagonist pano-
piled as Achillas, and fortified by the
experiments of the acknowledged lights of
science, and highest authorities in the
world, on the points in dispute.
In this issue we publish very temper
ate article dissenting from some of the posi-
tions of Mr.. BUR-, and questioning the
policy of delivering lectures of this charac-
ter as popular discourses, which probably
Mr.. Burr will reply to.
Mr.. Burr proposes to publish his lee
lures in numbers in the course of few
months. The publications on the subject
necessarily treated very briefly in the form
of popular lectures, will be amplified and
made as exhaustive as the Importance of
the subjects treated require. The work
will be profusely illustrated with maps and
drawings. The publication when complete
| will doubtless meet with large circula-