The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-02-06
Matthew Arnold in Cleveland.-H.

The general thesis Mr.. Arnold maintain
ed in his lecture was that the majority Is
unsound, the remnant only is sound, and
10 il we must look for the recovery of the
majority. He said this was the doctrine
If Plato, and of the Hebrew prophets,
naming Isaiah. The latter excelled the
former in bringing the restoration OF man.
Kind actually into the world; but erred in
placing that.restoration at point far too
nigh. Indeed II could not come TO Judah
LOT to Athens, because they were both TOO
Jew in numbers TO afford remnant suffi-
GENTLY large to save them. He affirmed
further that morality is the quality in the
remnant which saves the majority, that II
was substantially those qualities described
N the New Testament, TO express which a
number ftexts he alleged offer themselves
lie chose Philippians 4: 8; Whatsoever
things are honest, whatsoever things are
lust, whatsoever things are pure, whatso-
ever things are lovely, whatsoever things
are of good report; if there be any virtue,
and il there be any praise, think on these
things"
To illustrate this truth he chose two
examples, the present Irish problem, and
The moral condition Of France. He said
frankly that England had gained Ireland
by conquest and conhscation. Justice was
lisregarded in opposition to the "whatso-
ever things are just" of the text. Then he
admitted that Englishmen are not amiable;
or, what he regarded as principally the
same, are not 80 considered, contrary TO
the whatsoever things are lovely (amia-
ble)" Of the text Perhaps at the present
lime IL the English were amiable, the
Injustice of centuries ago would not be
forgotten. II the injustice Of the past had
never been committed the present lack Of
lmiability would be overlooked. But ex-
sting together they form an obstacle all
Iut insuperable, though politicians think
hey will remove il. lis removal will not
ONE from the politicians however, but
rom the moral remnant, who will heal
and save.
In the case of France he was much
more elaborate. He introduced this part
,rettily by citing the example Of the town
...Ierix of Ephesus who cried out (Acts 49,:
~ What man is there that knoweth not
low that the city of the Ephesians is a
yorshiper OF the great Goddess Diana
This he paraphrased by asking what man
.,there that know eth not how that the city
L the French Is worshiper Of the great
GODDESS LubricityS lie alterward gave
lis goddess a Greek name, Aselgeia. The
haracter of the popular theaters, novels,
c., of France plainly exhibit this and are
iore likely TO spread 10 England and
.merica than the superior drama and
terature. lie explained that things did
OF come TO their present state at once, but
" degrees. To show this he exhibited
a analysis OF the component elements oil
'rench National lite. First, there was the
alive Gaul, gallant, gay; then after the
.oman conquest, the Latin, adding clear
,ess and strength of thought, nationality
ially came the frankish German ele'
tent which added sobriety, morality. The
hree elements in well balanced proper
ons produced the sound and superior
terature of the sixth century. Later the
.)briety and morality were lost and there
.,mained the Latin nationality and the
allie gayety, hence the brilliant immoral
literature of The XVII century. Added tc
,is was the growing worship Of the God
,ss Aselgeia, until at present every
tream seems setting In that direction
,eceut French writers had gone SO far as
o say Ithat mature does not. care fol
hastily. Now in view Of this state o.
hings in the majority, ruin is inevitable
tiless there be remnant sufficiently
arge and operative to save them. But II
.ase Of 50 large and valuable q nation Al
rance, destruction cannot be talked
bout regeneration must come,
He cautioned against infering tina
numbers alone guarantee saving rem
Aant Assyria, Rome, &C., had number
out have passed away, showing that The
saving remnant did not exist.
He alluded TO the national and pardon