The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-08
Actions FEAST OF REASON.
Hon. Will Cumback Reviews the Attrac-
tions Supplied from the ROstrum.
N, X. Griggs Talks About National Charac-
teriStics as Shown in MuSic--Dr. Bowman
on the Inspiration of the Scriptures.


Rev 5. l. Bowman, dean of the theological
school at DePauw University lectured on the
''The Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures" The
lecture was interesting and listened to With
close attention. The lecturer said that in spite
Of all that had been said by the most ingenious
skeptics, that the fact remained as firmly fixed
as the rocks that God inspired the men who
wrote the Holy Scriptures, and hence what the
inspired writings said God himself said.
The inspirations of nature, such as were
felt by the naturalist poet, DO not
belong to this class Wicked men had at times
prophesied events which were wholly contrary
TO their natures. However, none of the authors
of the Scriptures had been immoral men. Rev
elatlon and inspiration should not be COMPOUNDED.
Inspiration meant the understanding of certain
truths and revelations, and the communication
to others. All the writers of the Bible had DIFF
ferent styles and methods. No would have
associated the writings of John with those Of
any one else. The productions of Paul were
peculiar for their terse, scholarly style Each
man wrote in his own peculiar STYLE while under
inspiration, as his mental faculties were then in
state of the highest tension, but what they
wrote was communicated by God
In the evening Hon. VIII Cumback spoke
briefly, explaining the lecture at Acton
Park Assembly; what it had done, and what it
was proposed to do. Mr.. Cumback spoke as fol-
lows
The Acton Park Assembly is fixed fact and
permanent institution. The committee promised
you at the May meeting that this seasons course
of lectures would be the best ever given in the
West How far they have redeemed that
promise leave you to decide. The committee
have fear of the verdict. The committee are
greatly encouraged in the work by the deeper
interest manifested and the keener appreciation
of their efforts. When this lecture feature was
nrst introduced, some years AGO, you will re-
member that but small portion of tho resident
population attended, so that the committee
often deeply mortified in introducing some of the
abest men IN the country to very small audiences
To add to the embarrassment, the speaker
could see more people sitting at the doors of
their tents than he had in his audience. But all
this is changed. We have now better state of
things Not only all the tent-holders come. but
q better taste and broader culture is being
rapidly developed in this part of the State. and
grand audiences Of deeply interested auditors
greet lecturers
The platform is the common school for the
older people. We learn from what
hear people say than we learn from books. Be-
sides that. a good sneaker in one hour can create
such an interest in the topic ne discusses that
the best authors are sought for to learn more
than he can say. Lectures excite spirit Of
inquiry, create thirst for knowledge, and,
consequence, elevate the tone of all who hear
them.
This course that we have given would cost all
of you ga least $40 for tickets in any of your
towns and cities. 1t would be cheap at that.
All this large resident population have it free.
We have had the science of history from Prof.
C. Ridpath, the profound historian and the
a5est writer OF the age. We have had the
Model Wife" and How To Be Happy" from
that genial glorious, Christian spirit, DIR. Will
hits. That you appreciated him was manifested
by the hearty cheers you gave when | announced
that he would be with us next year. Pres
dent Jordan, in his graphic description,
took up the Matterhorn and brought down
again. Miss Mary Z. Rariden, on The Humor and
Pathos of Charles Lamb, was a beautiful and
carefully written production We were delighted
with it. DR.. Bayfss took US through Rome,
Pompeii, and up Vesuvius and back, and we en-
joyed the trip much more than he did when be
made It, 1t Is grand lecture. Professor Car
hart and the Indianapolis Cleo Club made US
happy all the evening. MANS Immortality" by
Hon. Sidney Dean was the best thought of
trained thinker. Rev. George W. Pepper gave
us an insight into Ireland and the Irish that was
fresh and new to most of George r. Wend-
ling, that prince of orators, made plea for our
Christian organization and challenge of battle
to intdelity that made the cross of Christ dearer
and our hearts warmer VIM. J. Marshall has
led US through the Yellowstone Park, Utah and
COlora6s, and we have now a better and clearer
conception of the West, it's rivers, lakes, geysers
canyons and lofty mountains. His lecture
he Mormon question was clear, concise state
JDent of the situation there. and we all compre-
hend it as we never did before. DR.. Alabaster
charmed US with his grand and eloquent eulogv
On Martin Luther. The Chautauquan day is a
new feature. We hope they come again, and
Cleave with them. 1t was a good
day, and will grow better and better.
DR.. Bowman's timely defense in these days of
Me materiasm of "Scrpural Inspiration" that
bod coff Il.
among the Jewels that crown the brow of the
Acton Assembly. and can promise you that the
address of my friend, Hon n. K. Grggs of
Nebraska will be of the same high order, and l
now have the pleasure OF presenting him to you.
Mr. Griggs then spoke substantially as follows
his subject being, The Harmony of Music and
National Character" He lectures in fine voice.
two voices in fact, for he sang bass and tenor
equally we'll illustrating the points of his lecture
with appropriate songs:
The character and music of people are in
variaby in accord The sounds that come from
the festivals OF babarlans wild as the man
beast that makes them, but civilization ad
vaaees harmony joys along by its side. Pope
said truly that the Indian is "A stole of the
woods, a man without tear" for even his
fapooso Will endure hunger, cold and pain
Eithcut SO much as single moan. The red
mau's never varying "H-ya, hi ya," therefore, is
just such song as one would expect TO hear from
such a savage machine a Chinamau and his
voice are alike harsh and nnfeene. The
musical performance In lis temple of worship
is very ME an old-fashioned wedding charivari
The line dividing solemnity from mrthfulness
IS equally difficult 10 discover in the Irishman'S
music and disposition. AS the collecting notes
of hornpipe and dance are mingled with plain
tive minor strains. so his humor draws in the
sunshine, and forms his rainbow of hope even
while his tears falling from his cloud of
sorrow IL he compose funeral dirge there
will be lively measures in it, and if ne be in
deenest noyerty he will joke about his rags
Only Atla1tlcs separates the Irish from the
Scotch but ocean wide is the difference between
the characters of the two people The Irish
man in disposition is tropical: the Scotchman
temperate The storm which would lash the
Irishman into a fury might not in the least dis