The New York herald., 1879-02-02
THE LECTURE SEASON.
HENRY WARD BEEcHER ON AdUsEMENTs-A BIO
AUDIENCE IN THE LEXINGTON AVENUE OPERA


AUDIENCE IN THE LEXINGTON AVENUE OPERA
HOUSE.
The Rev. Henry Ward Eeecher isctursd last night
in the Lexington Avenue Opera House. IN fiffy-
eighth street audience that crowded every part
OF the large auditorium. The profits of the enter
tainment were devoted to the Northeastern Dispen.
sary, and, being for this object. Mr.. Beechcr
offered to reduce his fee onehalf. Then when
check for the reduced amount presented
to him last night. he returned it indorsed to tho
treasurer of the dspensary. saying that he had be-
convinced that il was institution that needed
all the pecuniary support it could obtain. Post
master James presided and the platform were
number of the leading residents of the neighborhood
The subject of the lecture 'Amusem ments," and
Mr.. Beecher commenced by laying down the propo-
sition that happiness the normal condition of
man and necessary to his existence and that
pain and sorrow were but medicine admin
istered to bring man back to that condi.
ton, and not to be considered as
his proper food. Sorrow and suffering had dis
ciplinary effect upon those who were exercised
thereby. The object of amusement was, therefore.
the production of happiness. Nowhere moro
than in cities did men need those amusements
which relieved them of the overstran of their
daily life. This the case with overtaxed
lawyers overworked physicians and ministers of
there great Improvement. 1t was no longer
thought necessary that Clergyman should dress
and measure his steps like Clergyman. Clergyman
had come to be considered as teacher OF liberal
ideas. and he was worth Just as mnch as
his manhood was worth and more. That was
glorious relief to clergymen. tApplause) Good
health was essential to the full enjoyment of amuse-
ments and we could continue the getting and keep
ing of that by attendance the gymnasium.
Next to the gymnasium was the possession
Of a horse for exercise with horse was one of the
noble an animal was cruel and to under-ride him
was stupid Then there was the bowling alley,
likewise very heathful amusement, and the
billiard table, which latter ought to find its way into
every family. Every man should be able to unbend.
The longer man could retain childlike or.
in other words the art of being easily pleased into
his life. the better it would be for him.
AMUsEMENTs.
The first law that might be laid down by which
man should regulate or select his amusements was
1t would not be very sensible for letter carrier to
get his recreation by taking exercise in the shape Of
walking daughter For laboring mar. who had been
occupied all day in some sedentary employment,
society. walk through an. art gallery or
music would be healthful and congenial pursuits.
full life all day should find their amusement
in the form of bodily exercise, and should develop
the animal side of their nature A ballroom
was not generally very healthful place. for it was
crowded and badly ventilated. Dancing at balls in
volved late hours, and this was preJudicai to the
preservation of good health Some so violated their
health Sundays in their smusements that
they not fit to work until Tuesday. Then
were right. Some people said that thing right
il il harmless in itself But there was nothing
right in itself and there nothing wrong in itself.
That which produced good results in an individual
was right to that one. thought it might be wrong to
thousand other men, -. Lhere ere. were SO, some men
to light amusements Mr.. Beecher had been asked
if card playing was right. To people who had moth
ing else to do but play whist card playing was wrong
but to those who could nterlace their days with that
relief from other duties and occupations
whist was as good as any other amusement. 1t
/
playing all very well. and the way to pre-
vent men from playing billiards in improper
places and the most proper place was
the home. In reference to the controversy
time time to bring it to an end The pulpit and the
dsrent diasS ~0ia means The duty Of the % Church
was to raise the moral standard of tho
people. and when that was done the theatre took its
proper place in the category of recreation. MIR.
Beecher concluded by warning young men against
clandestine amusements and gong where they could
not take their sisters or their mothers.
ANTHRoPoIOGY IDENTICAL WITH CHRISTIANITY.
Professor Joseph II. Buchanan. of the Eclectic
Medical College. delivered. before the Spiritualist
Society Of Brooklyn. lecture on the Religion
of ofAnthropoogy. His object explained beforehand.
show that physical science taught religion.
but that the science Of anthropology. taught
a religion identical with the ideal Christianity--not
the Christianity taught in the churches Science.
usually understood, he sad-that is mere physical
science-appears to be beyond the sphere Of ethics.
foreign If not hostile to it. Religion is far above
science astronomy is above geology. knowledge
has no correlation with religion. except when
it enters the sphere of humanity and thus
comes nearer the divine. Spiritual religion
is the only power than meet and
overthrow with its own scientific weapons the
growing scepticism of the day. Whether Chrsten-
dom shall retain its Christ does not depend that
historical theology which has heretofore been its
sole reliance Modern science is superior to ancient
history authority. and the religion of history
is rapidly falling before the onset of science. which
is beginning to invade the Church and the pulpit.
as DIR. Robinson confesses. II can be met only by
higher science. Anthropology must assert its abso-
lutte control of vital science and drive back the pre-
sumptuous champions Of physical science to tho
laboratory and the factory Spiritual science. the
highest department Of snthropology. must demon.
strate that governing invisible world which athestio
physical ignores. for the intelligence of the
nineteenth and twentieth centuries will be
content with nothing less than demonstration.
Science is ready to give this demonstration
is cold and paralytic. aud the world IL becoming
cstranged from 1t. But not through existing forms
of collegiate thought will light reach humanity. IL
will IL is coming now. direct from God to
through oil the spheres OF spirit life. Medium
ship is the richest gift of Heaven to man. and they
who enjoy become centres of enlightenment to all
around them.
Religion relates to man alone. and there is in tho
colleges no science of man. anthropology. There
the departments of anatomy and physiology. but
they simply parts OF zoology. Man himself IL not
studied ut all To establish any relation between
and religion must enlarge the boundaries
of science. When claim that true science points to
true religion do not speak of the science Of tho
coegcs-I speak of the science of man. Anthro-
pology demonstrates that man is religious
being. The lecturer then spoke of the abuses OF tho
Church in different ages, and the consequent an
tagonsm that has grown up. He honored the icon
oclast. but conoclast himself. Ho was
unable in his brief time to explain anthropology in
from books woud come TO be matter of intuition.
This intuitivc power was already recognized III
medical science, and would be universally recognized
in the future. The good of the future is TO come
rapidly but at present there Is darkness and igno.
ran e. Education is q mere matter OF mental
culture and the world therefore, has to depend on
religion for the true advancement OF the world
Authropolory however. when understood, would