The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-03-07
Spasnls.

Rev. G. w. BicknelPs lecture on ''Spasms'' at
Fluent Hall las evening. The people assembled
were people who evidently came to be instruct
ed as well as entertained and they were thor
oughly delighted with what they heard. The
lecture was light and graceful effort, evinc-
ing careful study of the spasmodic in church
| and State. and enliyened with kindly sarcasm
| and touches of broad humor.
| The lecturer commenced with defining the
term ''Spasm" as he proposed to employ it,
changing Websters definition to sudden and
more or less violent agtations arising in vari-
GUS relations of life, producing sometimes de
sirable commencements, but usually disastrous
results, because short lived. He did not believe
in the spasmodc efforts of men in any relation
of life, for by the time they are fairly under
way, they are given up. They do not hold on.
The course of business men teaches us a differ
ent lesson, They do not expect to gain great
results all at once. They commence steadily,
and push on to the end. This prnciple-begin
as you can hold out-keep at work on any good
obiect-shoud be the principle of life. The
course of the clergy man. who breaches his
grandest sermons when candidate, and loses
his reputation when he gets down to his aver
age work, should be a warning. Spasmodic
| work is different from enthusiastic, in that the
| latter grows as the work progresses, and does
| not cease until the end sought, is gained.
| Sometimes men of spasmodic ideas overdo the
| work; they endeavor to impress their ideas up
| on people in manner that kills the effort.
The lecturer condemned that work which
stops half way, but earnestly commended the
! spirit which accompishes an end The way to
| success is in steady pushing ahead. No man
has been successful who has not been compel
ed to push forward increasingly and enthusiast
tically. The command press forward should
be heard every where, inspiring the active, and
awakening the sleeping and INDECENT
Having thus generally considered his subject,
the lecturer proposed to consider his subject
under different heads, and spoke of spasms in
conrtship and marriage-in society, education,
politics, and religion Generally speaking,
| cOurtship was spaSm of love; marriage was
too often its cool or lukewarm condition. He
thought that every faculty which was necessa-
| ~ to win affection, was and is necessary to re-
tain it. He denounced the hypocrisy too
extend through life. With true
marriage it was all courtship. 1t is
| because masks are worn and deception
practised in the outset, which masks are
| thrown aside in marriage, and the deception eX-
| posed, which renders so many homes unhappy:
Man and woman have their special work to per
form, to make the fireside attractive. Let the
devotion and loyalty of the first relation be car
ried into marriage, and homes would be inf
nitely happier. There never should be a season
|
that it is no consequence about polteness or af-
lection, simply because they are ''old married
people," Faut-finding jealousy, strife are al
ways to be avoided.
The effects of spasmodic action in society, is
seen in the readiness with which people fall in
with the rulings of society to-day, and change
with;ts within tomorrow. Socetysstarts Quito dc
something religiously; but if the minister urges
individual effort, there is an end to interest.
Too many religious societies are simply religi-
| ono e. o. a a 1,,o
tors are to be pItied. Society has its regular
spasms for something new---and its keeps the
pen and press, platform and pulp busy tt
meet the demand. 1t is gushing over with liberty
and yet is bound slave to custom. 1t has it:
spasmodic groans over amusements # INDUCED
in by anybody connected with the church, bu
cries out ''be> Free and yet in pol
itics, religion, almost every where
| man is slave. The lecturer advocated living
more in accordance with the true spirit of free
dom. He believed in independence.
| Then in educational matters, there is much
said concerning completed educations. Toe
many think when they can rattle off para
educatons are completed. A great mistake,
only commenced. We are never too old to learn,
| Education should not end in a commencement,
but continue through life.
Passing on to spasms in politics and reform
the lecturer alluded to the tendency to run al
party measures upon the high pressure princi
pie, designed to do every thing up in hurry
hit or miss, and the result was, miss. He
liked anything alive, but he wanted it lasting
There many important measures being present
ed before the people. The great wal
cry now is, reform, 1t sounds we'll
At certain seasons, ideas of reform are brough
out to be laid aside after election. There i.
the temperance issue-the financial question
aud other questions of greater or less moment
but they soon die. Congressman deliver elab
crate speeches reform-principles ar,
manipulated, until they get 50 thin that thu
people see the corrupt rings underneath. Mei
though they care nothing for the principles
Too many want office for self or friends. Th'
people are getting weary of men for leaders
who tremble when brought up to the bar of in
yestioation. The reform lies in the hands o
the people, and they are to blame if they d1
nut use If. Even Tammauy Ring must fall
and aristocratic thiefs be compelled to wear the
prison garb, when the people rise mp in thei
might.
The lecturer plead only for purity in politics
We would have wrong extermnated. An!
thing which is wrong any where else, is wrong
IN party and politics, They should be purified
NOT by violent fits, but steadily and, Away!
having Que great aim in view-the inseparablt
uu n9 vi politics and morality.
Line iecturer closed by some pointed hits or
hypocrisy as seen in words and RELIGION. in
when Those people who use religion for un.
worthy purposes, making it cloak-who
poast VI tne, o lazy, who are very sensitive
and are always finding some fault IN RELIGIONS
soc cites, who contine their religion to TIN IN,
meeting house instead of taking it to tbei
homes aud business-who ere pompous in thei
religious adyancemeS,ttM;were shown up in n,
heavenly, and it is mans duty to crush ever U,y
thing which may degrade it. Having for il
object ohie the unfolding Of our noble lives the ee
walton and the salvation of the soul, it shout,
be cordially received, and every thing whicl
wonld deoyade or PROSTATE its work, shonl
find in man uncbaLging and determined .enm
/. ty Its work has been glorious, in the pas
NAV it continue He urged all to commend
the works of growth and advancement IN ever
| relation of life where they are feaqlred-nt
stop when the first interest is over, but moi
steadily forward improving every opportunit.
energy, and faculty, in the erection OF Tn
: grand and lasting edifce of individual, socia
q political and religious perfection.
T The Alhambra from Halifax is expected Il