, 1873-05-21
LECTURE DY REV. ]. 0. PECK.
- Pluck VerNlln E0UG LllclI.s


Tho Centenary Church, last ovoning, VIVA
crowded. both below md nbovo, with Nil intolii-
gont aulonoo Tint convouod to lloar the Rcv. J.
o. pock in the character Of lecturer. Az raator
Of tho Contonnry Church his reputation ia
already most favorably established. but this WAS
bis first lecture Hnco his arrival In tho city, 1t
is fair to presume tho expectation Of tho largo
audience was that they wero to enjoy rich ro-
past, IN which, it ia likewise Just to say. they
wero by no moana dtsappontod.,, Aftor few
4eoctions upon tho organ elegantly roneroa by
H. E. Colo, Esq.,, tho audience responding with
hearty applause. h1r. Peck tllon opened, With .
clear, ringing voice md a consciousness
TINT Showed the mystery Of tho thom1,
In miniature. A word ia ofton d mtcroooHm OF
character. 1troprosoutB tho whole orb Of rnntl-
hood, and no language is 80 full OF thoso micro
eosmio words as our 1nother-tong1e the tough,
Of these words at tho head Of this lecture for dis
ouasion, "psNcE."
It is q homely word, and 80 arc most people
(preaent company excopted), [laughter] but be-
powor. Eloquonco and beauty arc agreeable
powor and pluck nro Indispensable. Pluck is q
mnsterly quality. No torn carries moro man.
hood init: It has the strength that ia wanting
nep II h i. It hos ths pSrs'tsne0 ss e xei' is
It las q maaBiyonoss not found in :" daBh." It
1acks tho mulishnoss Of staotornness."', It has
IL: obstisaacy." It adas nchiovomont t. decision;
It is the whole of manlinoss-" naan- 1t
is tho full synonym Of that grand word. horo-
lam md heroism Is only anothor term for high
hero; modol woman . horoino, and pluck
is tho distinguishing quality iu every such
chnvacteY It Ia greater than faith, greater
than hope gronter than enthusiasm, creator than
patience, greater than mnj jeBty; thore ia but
ono attribute abovo it and that is lovo;
"Lovo the tivinost Of tho train,
And sovereign Of tho rcst."
| A noble uncompromiBing life, q tr11o, ,unBordid
1fo, generous, Sacrificing lifo, Is agrar,dcr epic
poem than oyer yet WAS atlng IN verso. The
tho truo and beautiful, the good that lives
aneh a sentiments, in Is Essentially poot{o It thinks
and foola and lives and cats In MI atmosphere
electrical with poetry. SUCH Afo flows IL
| torod III immortal cantos. a life tint moves
| withythe dull, ihoayy tlud Of sel0shuess and
lordlinoss, ovorawod by power, and bribo BY
promotion, straitened by fear, or reekloss ,,
sqsnaer to heroo G5 paek IN It m
poetry, no inspiration, no sublimity. It ehal
longes no followers but camp-followers: But
life Of gouuine pluck lifts q man into the realu
of grand achievements and Of commanding
|
don't, is inventive, can never Do takon OF 1T
guard, and Is capnble Of tho Bublimost actions
The propagators Of Christianity achieved thei
wonderful triumphH under its frequent inspira
tiong. neformorB who have upheayod old sys
toms have attested its power in ail that waa no
bio in thoir lives and lnbor.
Tho lecturer viewed his thome from eyor
standpoint, and finally enthronod its attributes
Lumnnly spcn1sing, as tho oonquering powor Q
tic world. Apt and timely, and ottou witty, il
Illustrations characterized the whole discourse
mud not unfrequontly came tho full force Of
genuine oloquonce, all Of which called forth fre
quont applause.
NJ. Peck is u man Of flno address. and
blessed with voice TINT il worry flexible, and c
largo compass and pleasing to tho car. Ho con
bines tho elements Of popular speaker, a1,
Chicago is to be congratulated that another Sta
; ia to 10 added to the galaxy Of hcr great lectnl
crs IN tho person Of tho hev. J. o. Peck, wllt
like Robert Oollyor,, though it il not generall
known, long worked as smith on thc anotl!