The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-02-02

now.
THE REV HENRY WARD BEEcHER
lectured in this city one evening last
week to large audience on "The Reign
of the Common People" He expressed
his opinion on almost every conceivable
subject, speaking for an hour and three
quarters, and holding the attention of his
audience closely for the whole time 1t
was very fine speech, and was an argu-
ment In behalf of Democracy and the
Education of the People. The fifty mil
lions of people in the United States, he
said, despite the infusion of 100000 of
foreigners and 100000 negroes, are
superior to any other fifty millions in any
part of the world-more intelligent, more
moral, and happier. The education OF
the people. he sail, was now the accepted
doctrine all over Europe, with the ex-
ception of Russia Though even there
there is system of public schools), But
Mr.. Beecher used education in its widest
sense. He said it is a curious fact that in
Europe the people are demanding schools,
and that at the same time, the governing
class in every State are anxious to give
hem to them. He said there are S,OOO,-
300 of men in Europe under arms, and
that it had been proved that in modern
garfare-where armies were not com
pacted in phalanxes, but where the men
were strung out in lines-the educated
soldier is superior to the ignorant SOL
her. That moreover, it had been found
that city regiment OF sharp. intelligent
young men experienced less sickness, re-
covered from sickness sooner, and march
ed better than a regiment of stalwart
lumbermen from Maine or Pennsylvania.
He said that rich men are not always
intelligent men, but that rich comnaun-
'ty is always an intelligent community.
That an ignorant people is never a rich
people.
There was not the slightest attempt at
any moment at fine speaking or oratorical
display, and yet he fully sustained his
reputation as prince among the plat
form speakers of this country. His Ian
guage is above criticism, and yet he never
hesitates moment for a word. He is
perfectly simple and perfectly clear, and
full of ideas, which he presents in such a
way as to have them understood by the
whole audience. He has also fine vein
of humor, and is an excellent actor.
Mr.. Beecher is very able man; we
do not rate him as very profound man.
We should rather call him a preternat-
urally smart man. He has thought
enough to make him very interesting
talker even to cultured persons; there
are many, however, who are his superiors
as philosophical thinkers. He does not
strike one as man who is bent solely on
the truth; he rather delights in appear
ing to be superior to those who teach
what are regarded as sound and healthy
opinions. He affects concessions to one
body in order to stick pin into some
other system of doctrine. He glorifes
the world as it is, and especially Ameri-
can society, and so bent is he on not al
lowing any shadows to rest on our earth
that he discards the doctrine of original
human depravity and contradicts even
the plain New Testament declarations
with regard to future punishment. He'll
is his aversion, and he will get rid of it,
if necessary, by theological rebellion
and gospel of Universal Salvation
Everything is lovely" we may imagine
to be the illuminated text which hangs
over his study door
Of reverence he seems to be uncon-
scious. A portion Of his desultory speech
was devoted to the "Greenback" issue,
and the question Of paper money, and he