The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1882-12-02
Rev. Joseph Cook.

ciatiye auditors.
Rev. J.. X. McLEAN in a brief introductory
speech said that Mr.. Cook has just returned from
a Journey round the world, and the lecture upon
the subject of - The Seven Modern Wonders of
the World was a result of his travels. Without
further preliminary the lecturer boldly attacked
his subject in the following language - God
be thanked, Mr.. President and Ladies and
Gentlemen. that IN our day there are no foreign
lands. Caesar could not drive his chariot around
the Roman Empire in less than one hundred days.
Now we can send a letter round the whole world
in ninety days. The FIRST modern wonder OF the
world, in my opinion. is the speed OF Intercom-
munication. Caesar could not have left Alexan-
dria and travelled on the broad basaltic roads to a
point opposite Gibraltar, thence through Spain
and France, by ferry across the Straits OF Dover
to England and Scotland, than back to tie Rhine
and skirting the Alps TO Milan and thence under
the shadows of the Balkans to Constantinople
and thence back to Antioch, and from there
to Alexandria in less than one hundred days.
Now, no point is further away from London than
the City of the Seven Hills was from the furthest
part of the dominion of that city. Since l have
Travelled around the world | have realized that
the world is round. l have realized, too, that it
is not very large. | can appreciate its dimen-
sions and Its comparative size az | never could
before"
A COMMON CIVILIZATION The second of the
seven modern wonders Of the world in the world
wide unanimity of civilization. There is becouI-
ing one standard of scientific accurancy. Prove
one fact in the University Of California and it is
proved for India and Australia. We are begin
ming to have one standard of etiquette. The
world is being Americanized. 1t is now less
rapidly Gallicized than for much time past. 1t
is becoming somewhat Germanized, but through
the English language. The opportunity a man
now has to speak in one TONGUE was never equaled
by the Roman or Grecian orators. Gladstone
has, and Sumner had, a greater opportunity than
had Cicero or Dem 0sthenes. There is a common
system of ethics, and there is one system of faith
gaining asceGdancy among all nations. III
Christianity succeeds it will succeed for the world
If rationalism shall conquer Christianity in the
great civilized centers of the world, then ration
alism will conquer the world. For good or Tor
evil there will be one common faith"
REFORMATION OF SECLUDED NATIoNs.-''Third OF
the seven modern wonders of the world is the
reformation of hermit nations. On the banks OF
the Ganges, in Ceylon, in China, in Japan there
is one feeling-that the hidden countries can no
longer remain in seclnsion. India is opening to
the advance of civilization Japan is also and
wants to, China is, and does not want to. There
is a time coming when China, ruled by young
men educated in America, will have n military
and naval force equal to her resources. Make
treaties with China which you intend to keep,
for China will be able to compel you to keep them.
After my visit to the British Islands l looked
back upon them and felt that | did not know the
British Empire. Alter speaking eighty four
times IN IOuld anu III O6ylOU i tDOug0C l. knew
something of the British Empire, but the Cape
possessions were still beyond. l visited Hong
Kong and Singapore. both fine cities under Brit
ish dominion and then sailed into the majestic
harbor of Sydney. In Australia | was in only a
dependency of the British Empire, and one as
large as the United States, exclusive of Alaska.
After | had visited Australia and New Zealand
and sailed away, | had conception of the British
Empire. The reVeille of British drum, the clarion
of British trumpet, follows the course of the sun
in his daily circuit round our planet. In spite of
this, Great Britain is not the leading English
speaking power of the world. America is the
least imperfect of all powers. The British Empire
is more likely to abolish an hereditary Legislature
than America to adopt one. In one hundred
years the Australian Colonies may be the great
federation on the American principle. If there be
a British George like one we had, he may be
their last King. | would rather be a citizen of
america, where Democratic ideas are paramount,
thin a Roman under Caesar or the proudest
Brit1n."
AMERICAS DEAD HEROES Many tombs were
erected in our country during my absence from
home-many noble men were laid to rest
Garfield, a martyr Longfellow, the poet; En-
erson, the philosopher. America is lonely to me
and to me Games the wieh that | may soon have
the privilege to pass to the majority Of souls.
At their graves the unity of civilization was
shown. | saw the sturdy freedmen of the Alps
weeping as they read the terrible news of the
death Of our President. In the center of Ceylon,
where | heard Of Longiellow' g death, the very
palms and bread fruit trees and gentle AeaeIas
and graceful creepers whispered to me sympathy,
n stranger in a strange land. On the banks Of
the inland Sea of Japan when | heard the death
of Emerson, the shores of that sea of matchless
beauty murmured to me their sorrow. There is
a unity of science, religion, politics. unity
based on a common Christian faith. If you wish
TO behold the unity of civilization go to India and
gather around you the missionaries. They stand
4 4 - L. - - - Ill
faiths OF they will be defeated. l have heard the
familiar hymns sung in Arabic, in a dozen Ian
guages Of Hindoostan, in Chinese, in japanese
and in the strange tongues OF the Pacific Isles. !
have seen this book (raising the Bible in his
handy on shores far from her under Ell Captain,
at Plymouth Rock, at the Elbe, the Oder. the
Thames and the Seine, and everywhere it Is the
same. ln my hand is the Fundamental Constitu-
ton of Christian civilization
An ALLIANCE OF ENGLIsH-sPEAKINe NATIONS
- 1t is true that science, commerce, politics and
the Christian Church are missionaries to increase
a unity of civilization. Let u mediate what
more can be done. l want a convention ofChris-
tan peoples to form not a union, but an alli-
ance, to makes arbitration the remedy for war
wherever possible. John Bright has said that no
war since the time of William Ill was necessary
except the war of the Northern States to pre-
serve the Union and cause the abolition of
slavery. This was the most righteous war waged
IA LIZ Il oOh = IA - ohA hhNOho wa. mn
civil nations should now have treaties such as
have been suggested for the Republics of this
continent to prevent war This thread of peace
full alliance will gradually increase until it be-
comes the white robe of peace encircling the
world"
ADVANCE OF EDUCATION AND POPULAR GOVERN
MENT.-' The fourth modern wonder of the world
u may opinion, is the unparalleled advance Of
education and democracy. 1t is the waited
impulse of the American atmosphere. The ex-
tension of the education OF the masses is the first
step. Democratic government will follow In
nearly all places outside of Russia and Austria,
the members of the lower house of legislation are
elected. Little by little England is extending
the franchise. Japan is eager to enter into a
government of the people. by the people and for
the people. Nobody believes that China will
long live in the feudaI system after her eyer are
opened to the Western civilization. There are
perils in democracy and you are called on to
solve the question. Democracy is lame in city
governments. Our country is watched eagerly
to detect failure t. prevent them following in our