The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-02-23

L. IrAnmet lectufed IN the fopTln EESs
byteFian Church last evening TO an audi
ence Of good dimensions, We regret
that Wehaye not the space TO publish. the
lecture In full, and can only give par
tial synopsis Of Il. The proceeds Of the
lecture are to be given to the church,
and no doubt handsome sum was realiE-
ed.
His Honor announced as his subject:
Agencies which have Contributed TO the
Elevation Of the Individual and Social
Character Of Man." and opened his Ad-
dress by remarking that there are those
who, standing UPON the elevated plateau
OF the 10Th century, tell us that the age
Of heroes and heroic greatness has long
since passed away, never 10 be reproduc-
ed. With suchthe glamour Of 4 belief,
which Is not the result Of personal inves-
tigation, has colored the teachings OF the
partial and prejudiced with the DIVERSE
hedhue Of afeyered Imagination or Of 4
diseased fancy. Mighty changes and revo-
buttons have taken place Of = chArac-
ter radically efecting the very
foundations Of society. These changes,
however, were the result Of the
necessities, the wants and desires Of man
in his individual and social capacity;
for society had so long been encountered
with the chains Of yAssal bondage and
crushed with the weight Of feudal super
stitions that II had become effete. Just
In proportion as the human mind was
released from the bonds OF It's captivity
the character Of man shone with grow
ing brillia6cy and brighter lustre. And
as the lights Of religion, reason and sci
ence began slowly to pierce throug b the
gloom Of centuries, and the superstitions
Of the times, the vaSsal, the villain and
the ieudatory began to be made aware OF
the immutable rights belonging to them
respectively as men and individuals.
II was during these dark ages that
whatever inAamed the Imagination or
excited the passions was eagerly sought
after. This cultivation Of the passions
at the expense Of the judgment and un-
derstanding destroys the harmony and
equilibrium Of Nature and does not un-
fold the true character Of man in oil its
parts, but exhibits only its most deprayed,
iicentious and credulous side. One OF the
most powerful instrumentalities in effect
ing the condition Of society was the in
stitution OF Chiyalry. Human character
under the operation Of such influences
could not be otherwise than unsettled
and unreal. Ignorance is credrlous, and
so long as the lights Of morals and reason
are obscured, so long will the mind and
character be weak and impotent.
In the Feudal system society assumed
the shape Of 4 pyramid or cone, at the
base Of which was the yilleins, and grad
ually narrowing toward the top, until it
reached the apex, which was merged into
the Emperor, Pope or the King. The
two sources from whence II sprang were
first, the bestoWment by the King or No
bles Of gifts Of land on their retainers or
followers, in consideration OF which these
last found themselves to be faithful to
their lord and to yield service as men at
arms; and secondly, the surrender by
the owners Of the land, Of the same, TO
churches or powerful chiefs, which was
then received back by the giyers and held
by them as tenants for rent Or service.
The first OF the crusades began in the
year 1096, and the last was brought to a
termination in the year 1921. Their
entire history may be said to oc-
cupy a period Of two hundred
years. Before the end Of the 18th centu-
ry the Christians were driven out Of all
their Adriatic possessions. These cru
sades were greatly instrumental in con-
tributing to the elevation and progress Of
man in the individual and social scale Of
being. One Of the effects Of the crusades
was TO advance the power Of the people
and Of royalty ut the expense Of the no.
bility. The inception Of trade and the in
auguration OF commerce was also great
benefit flowing from the crusades.
Almost simultaneously with the rise
and spread Of commerce commenced the
revival OF letters and the cultivationlof
literature. The first restorers OF learn
ing In Europe are said 10 have been the
Arnbians- who with the sword in one
hand and the torch OF knowledge in the
other, disseminated their learning in the
course Of their conqgests- and founded
schools and colleges and established SEM
inaries in the countries they conquered.
Attic conclusion Of the crnsades there
was n wide difference in society from
what Il was at their commencement. In.
stead OF being scattered or localized Il
became concentrated and centralized.
Hence towns and cities began to spring
up, and the arts Of war were in a degree
supplanted by those, of peace. Man be-
gan 70 develop nobler traits and worthier
purposes by engaging in the peaceful
pursuits Of industry, trade and COM
meree. u
Another agency, greatly instrumental
in contributing TO. the elevation in his
individual and social relations, was the
Reformation. ALuther and a Huss, to-
gether with their 'coadjutors, were the
instruments chosen by Providence 70
break in twain the letters Of Monkish
superstition and Papal supremacy. An
eager appetite for Scriptural knowledge
was excited among the people, but prior
to the diffusion Of knowledge by the artof
printing this could only be partially graf
lied. The resistless power and influence
Of Christianity dispelled the misty doubt
fulness Of centuries and shed a, halo Of
refining Light and purifying brilliancy on
the dark passions and bigoted prejudiees
Of men. 1twas when de night Of Jew
ish intolerance, and the bitter yiruience-
Of its enemies most thickl y surrounded II,
that the lustre Of its character and the
purity Of It's power was most brilliant
and effnlgent. Personifed in the Savior
Of the World, earth was for time It's
dwelling place, the objects. OF this world
It's acquaintance, and the lowly ones the
subjects Of It's tenderness, pity and COM
passion. & trtef ~ Gf3
1t twas not long before the great work
Of the reformation received a fresb i'm
petus through the fundamentally Of the
art Of printing. It was the great moral
agent which rent the misty veil OF credu-
lily and let in food Of light. It was the
rainbow Of intellect, the sign Of the cove
nant between mind and matter, which
dissipated forever ignorance and servi.
tude. Through the influence resulting
from the discovery Of the art Of printing
knowledge was disseminated among the |
masses TO such an extent as to lift them |
into serener atmosphere, which eleyat.
ed them far above the fogs and mists with
which they had been enshrouded, and in
telligence and virtue became the frame
work Of society. A new principle was in. |
troduced into the social system which |
speedily generated power, the the moral |