The Portland daily press., 1873-10-23
DE-. Hollands Lecture.

DEs A~CsurC.
DR.. j. G. Holland, the distinguished author,
stood before an immense audience in City Hal
last evening, and for nearly an hour and half,
held the closest attention to his utter
ance, He is man of slight build,
medium height, dark featured, and wears a
black moustache. In delivery he is some
what nervous, yet graceful and free. His into,
nation is rapid and melodious, though rather
monotonous.
He began by referring to society as contain
ing various elements of good and evil; of NOR
al progression and retrogression, AMI out of
these eliminated his subject, which he announc-
ed as The elements of personal power in legit-
innate and personal forms have their basis in
natural laws" Honesty is the first grand ele-
ment. make distinction between honesty as
merely power, and honesty as an action. The
strongest temptation an ambitious man con-
tends against is the tendency to lie. The poll
ticians and leaders of society of the present day
are rotten. Everything is running to riot, IN
trigue and rascality The man who holds the
winning cards is the greatest rascal There
are exceptions to this rule, as in the case of the
overthrow of the New York rings. Sooner or
later, all the fabrics of power that are based up
on dishonesty will crumbe and fall. The inn
portance of honesty cannot be over-estimated,
and it should not be tempered with. He Illus
trated his point by a reference to the ntrigu-
ing character of Douglas, and contrasted it
with that of honest "Abe'' Lincoln, whose
name will go down to posterty more on account
of his honest character than for any other
greatness. (Applause.) Many noble man
gets into the yoke of dishonesty, and finds it
guillotine. The men who have sought for the
Presidency, have sought in vain, and died from
disappointment. Dishonest men cannot rise to
the highest pinnacle of power
The second element necessary is will Will
is the vital sap that persistently and perman-
emily flows through the social system. The man
who SAID 81 propose to fight it out on this line
if it takes all summer reveals in that utterance
the secret of his great success in life. 1t is by
this predominant power he has been able to
maintain his high position since the fall of
Vicksburg No man can be strong who is not
1--WE make way for the will that pushes by u.s.
In the family this trait is seen in the child who
rules the household. This rule holds true in
every. form and organization of society; in
will be associated with benevoence, it will prove
beneficial in its results. Luther had it strong
and it is seen in the reformation of the 10Th
century. Christ exercised it when He said II
will be though Clean. The true source of the
will is from God. 1t is indeed the matrix of
power
The will of man maybe so strong that all con-
tiguous wills flow into his. A man born with
weak will can never have strong one 1t is
an original and fixed endowment Some men
uafC Iuey GILL WILL IL 10 OulN Wllllul-
ness, A pig has this largely. None but fools
ever mistake the won't in them for will.
The third element if self possession. / do not
mean self knowledge, self mastery, self COM
fdence, though few men realize how little of
these qualities they have in them. Self pos
session embodies every available moral recourse
in man, leading him to know and handle
himself. Such man cannot be shaken from
his purpose. To be Intellectually self possessed
is necessary for the exercise of power over
or rafA y, nod, &,,l
it difficult to draw others from their cups So
the teacher of youth must, succeed, be strongly
endowed with this element. In the orator it is
the key to his control over his audience. Men
cannot preach virtue, while keeping mistress
King William conquered France and accom-
plished the uniication of Germany by the pos.
session of his power of controlling himself, and
his freedom from vice. We should not con-
found this quality with self respect or self
conceit. general who vaciliates can never
lead an army. A man must believe he is right
before he can inspire others. Many men fail
because they esteem every mans opinion above
their own. Teach men to reason and assume
responsibility if you wish them to succeed.
Another element is courage. We all bow to
the hero, whether he be warrior or the cham
pion of an unpopular cause. Cowardice is
looked upon as an objectionable sin. In the
battle OF life we send the poltroon to the rear.
In mob courageous man excites respect
Such man wins the leadership in a moment.
The foolhardy enthusiast at Harper's Ferry
won martyrs crown. Our progress as ma
ton is slow towards manners and morals. The
pulpit silent on intemperance, the greatest
curse that is now overshadowing the land
Our politicians are crafty, polite and full of
intrigue. A man is brave intellectually whose
search is solely for the truth. Men who be-
lieve and teach we are descendants of the mon
key, must perceive some of the monkeys traits
In themselves. (Applause.) He who plants
courage of any sort raises free man. The
speaker referred to the law of personal mag
netism and illustrated it in various ways Jen-
ny Lind possessed it largely. Snch as have this
trait largely,we love to listen to but never read.
Another element on which the speaker dwelt
was expression-the grand power of express
sion: He took ground against the study of the
dead languages to the exclusion of ths study
of science. Another element mentioned is ear
nestness and enthusiasm, which was dwelt up
on at some length. Faith, he said, was the
capstone and crown of honesty Faith in man,
in God. in revelation and in the immortality of
the sonl.
In conclusion he dwelt upon different degrees
of skill and methods Of displaying it in apply
ing these principles, and in beautiful language
urged upon the audience to find their speciality
and stand nobly by it,doing well whatever they
undertake to do.