Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-07-21
LECTURE BY GOVERNOR PERKINS.

Governor Perkins lectured last evening Q
large and appreciative audience at tn
Seventh street NJ E. Church South, tor Tn
benefit OF the funds of that church. Ill
subject was George Peabody, the Phlian
thropist.n He looked upon this part OF th'
nineteenth century as remarkably noteworthy
for it's sysIematized charities and its exam
pies Of philanthropic action. He pointed tC
the vast charities of the day, the spread O
Christian civilization, the amelioration o.
many classes. the abolition of slavery, arc
Iother notable steps of progress made IN thi'
age. Among the many noble examples o.
individual philanthropic effort and accom-
plishment, he pointed to George Peabody,
New England born, as one deserving oul
gratitude and admiraticn-his own ideal Of
The true philsnthropist. and in many respects
the noblest OF his kind in modern times. he
was born in poverty, and his advantages
were very limited. Apprenticed to . shop:
keeper at II, he became clerk at 16, and
soon after was the trustee OF his uncle's mer-
camille business, and as such conducted
it. When the struggle with England
was renewed, Peabody enlisted in de,
| Tense of his country. With natural
| aptitude for mercantile pursuits, be was
| partner in good house st nineteen, when
within seven years established branches IN
several of the largest cities. In 1923 Pea
| body became the head of the fra, and sne-
| sequently, having emigrated to London, he
engaged IN banking. All his energies were
| devoted to success as a fnancier, and to this
end he adhered with unequaled persistence
| Conducting his own business on honorable
| and upright principles, he required the same
Of others. He pFacliced what he preached
| in his business. His bearing and habits CON-
handed respect. He was simple in his
habits and temperate, and wasted no energy
in friyolity, and tquandered not for mere
pleasure. lie had rare conversational pow
ers, aud in everything he manifested his IN
tel igence, gentilitY and nobility OF splIlt.
His regard for III: parents was of the highest.
He honored them in the truest sense, and
with the deerest affection. The speaker en-
larged upon this trait, and what it or It's
absence aignifes in any msn. de further
sketched the personality OF his subject, show
ing him to be cultivated gentleman, one of
the most genial OF companions and desirable
OF men. He next referred to Peabody's
money. getting powers, and declared all his
methods to be legitimate. honorable, and
based on those PRINCIPLES which ara necessary
TO true success. When Peabody was 20
years of age the world was shaken by finan-
cial crisis, and American securities were
especialIy deprecated. OF these Peabody &
Co. were large holders. His reputation com
manded for him hearing in the Bank of En-
gland and won for American securities a
confidence abroad that checked the tide of
disaster and saved his house. The lecturer
then glanced at the history of several of the
great givers in charity that have been noted
in history-those who gave while in life, and
those who gave only by willard considered
the varied motives which have actueted
rich men who have so given. He believed
it commendable to acquire wealth, and that
its only evil is the abuse of it. He directed
the attention Of the young men of the country
to the example Of Peabody, both in his &C.
uuirement of wealth and bis use Of it, and
quoted from Peabody's Dsnrers address upon
integrity in business and high moral prin-
cipies in all the transactions of life. Pea
body learned how to derive pleasure in giving
of his acquisitions for the benefit of others.
His benefactions were the result not of
pride, vanity or desire for applause, bat Of
long settled purpose, and sincere and
pessurable desire TO contribute to aids TO
progress rather than in direct charities. The
lecturer pointed out that Peahody's fortune
went to educate men, provide homes for the
poor and open up opportunities for Others to
gain competence. One Of his great objects
was to afford, so far az his effort could do it,
the advantages Of homes to the greatest
number Of people. But the distribution OF
Peabody's colossal fortune wss not effected
without struggle. He had to make war
upon and conquer selhshnsss and his natural
righteousness. He felt the pleasures Of gsin
and the longing to cling to purse, AID on this
point the lecturer elaborated upon the nat
ural tendencies Of money winners, the
temptations which baset them, and the
obstacles they havs to overcome in
conquerinr self. Peabody used his wealth
wisely. He did not use it to live luxuriously,
or merely to revel in its holding, For did he
wait for death. but chose to be his own al
moner, and enjoy the luxury of making 9th
ers happy he quoted from Girard to show
that wealth cau, Of itself, bring no happiness,
save in the use of it for good purposes,
and dwelt at length upon the powers Ct
wealth, and the blessings or the curses it
may entail From that he passed to Pea
bodys example to young men aiming to &C.
quire wealth. and to those already possessed
of much of earthly goods-an example which
all may follow with profit, and which points
the way clearly to the use of wealth as
means Of winning for its possessor the purest
pleasures, and the gratitude and love of man.
kind
The stand from which the Governor spoke
was decorated very handsomely and profusely
with rich cole ction of flowers, some of
them being worked into tasteful desiens-the
whole the work of ladies of the church. The
brief sketch Of the lecture only points few
Of the prominent features, and will serve to
indicate the general line of thought pursued,
which was elaborated and illustrated by ar
gument and simie, while the extended pero-
ration is not touched, wherein the speaker
dwelt upon this age as one Of progress, the
possibilities of the times, and the duty of all
true men Of these days. The Governor spoke
slowly, earnestly and effectively, carefully
avoiding evolutionary effort, and contenting
himself with a deliberate, conversational
style, which was well adapted to the method
aud practical character CT his address. The
Governors lecture was warmly applauded
The audience was thanked for its attention
by Rev. T. II. B. Anderson, who presided,
and in the name of the ladies Of the church
presented to the Governor very beautiful
basket of rare flowers, in acknowledgment of
his assistance 10y lecturine) for the benefit Of
the church funds. This again called out the
speaker, who received the present in very
pleasant, responsive speech.
METROPOLITAN THEATEB. The engage
ment of Baker ard Farrop, with their own
company, will be commenced this evening at
the Metropolitan Theater. It promises to be
successful comedy season. Messrs. Baker
and FarrOn are well kro vn ard favorite ar
fists upon this C. ast. They are specia' ty
character sectors Of ackn ,wledged ability la
| German, Irish end American characters, and
0