The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-30
MASONIC TEMPLE.

SERMON ON sELF-cULTURE By REV. o. B..
FRoTHISGHAM.
Rev. o, rockingham preached yesterday in the
Masonic Temple .Self.Cullure the Aim Of Life. y
The subject he said had been brought to his attention
By young man who seriously asked him whether sell
culture could properly be pursued as the moral aim OF
a mans life. An objection was ordinarily raised TO
this IDEA that was idle 10 think OF selfcuture at nl.
II was pretended that man creature OF neces-
sity that what he was he was by and that TO
increase his faculties impossible, that, there
FORE he must do nothing but resign him.
sell 10 himself; that each one came into
the world gifted to certain measure and
that he neeo, indeed must, do nothing moro nor less
than within the scope OF these gifts as he nds them
and hence that nature has given US our minds,
hearts consciences and souls aspire despair as
our nature impeis US. TO this he answered that the
questions come, What is natureY And do We know
the limit and extent OF our iacuies? Are We not all
lull oil unsounded capabilities OF hopes, dreams and
aspirations? Does nature decree that none OF these
shall be utilized? Are calmly 10 float on the bosom
the stream OF lie, faster than It's tide, when
with natures aid, and by the sail she WA pro-
vide VIC seek IT, we may DO propelled much iasters
Who has sounded the depths 81 natureY who has
tested the extremity OF IT'S powers Steam and
electricity are but the agents mat oring nature 10 our
yAruKEs POSSIBILITIES.
Were our natures wholly employed no MIND could
conjecture the results no fancy could picture them
Only when our systems OF education have been per-
fected the hope begin to utilize our
natural powers. He who says that he will remain
what he insults nature which bursts with mpal encc
10 be utilized 10 It's extreme extent la considering
this lopc sell comes prominently into view. Dis
guse self We may, IL Is still sell. What
picture Of self-secrihcc he asked equals that
OF Il mother rcscuing from danger her sick childY
The intensity oil her solicit ude expresses tho poetry OF
se!t-sacrlcc. All her actons express The passion Of
her DEVOTION She allows her affection 10 chant us
own dew olon. But there no other lives IN peril?
lives more valuable, better richer than lhat Tor Wnich
she has much solictude Yet does she not struggle
10 save them nor rush TO their ala And why? Be-
they no part OF herself AS is that she watches
with so much care. The preacher next instanced the
disintercsed Efforts OF men who have oiea ana SUI.
Tered or their fellow men hnding their selfish reward
IN the Joy they ielt in the struggle. THIS was
the devotion OF The lower the higher
sell, as when tho sinner confessed his
offences and humblcd himself that he may
elevate his better nature There are two kinds Of
selingh and low, mean and glo ous. The one rs IN.
voluntary ana instructive. the other Instructed ana
controlled BY nielgence-tha! looks before and after
The preacher inquired how Tar II were best To
carry seli-cuure Of what nature should tins culture
bes All evangelical Religion regarded sell as The root
o SIM and would drown out all self IN hood Of SUI
pcrndtura grace. Forget yourself ~ the precept OF
evangelical religion preached IN all the churches
AIMS OF CULTURE
Mr. rockingham pursuing the inqulry--what
kind OF se-cuture man should pursue--instanced
of man who had studied to be perfect gen.
tlemun. HI succeeded being considered iaultess IN
dress and manners, courteous and without vces-a
good deal to say even Tor one who Is called gentle.
oil by all who know him. But he lakes no
active interest in The great measures Of the day.
The mere cultivation OF the gifts and graces
that commend 10 the circle into which
he is brought should not suffice II was necessary, be
said to far beyond this II we would have true self
culture. We should come to the consciousness that
we have minds. Mr. rockingham, after considering
what may be regarded as proper behavior said that
this great measure moulded by prejudice, and
prejudice u drawback the power OF seli-cuturc
The man wished 10 go rightly about the duty of
sell-culture must begin with determination TO en-.
courage the champions OF truth, the Tree press, the
bold thinkers, the good writer's, unless be would DO
buried out of sight In the tides OF ignorance and
prejudice In pursuing the requirements Of lu-
diclous and beneficial seli-cuiture the whole line
OF mans duty TO his family, has neighbor and society
was briefly considered. 10 pursue probably the idea
Of sell-cuture, must begin by cultvating their
conscences, and no man can do this without becom-
ing OF service 10 his fellows II was true that men
are in great measure the creatures OF circumstance
Opportunity makes the great difference between
people. Some born 10 glorious opportunities
which denied TO others who would be great
But knowledge to their eyes her ample page.
Rich with the spoils of tme did meier urroll;
Chill penury repressed their noble rage,
Ana froze the genial current oil the soul.