Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-04-16
AELFRED THE GREAT.

- 49,
Professor Cooks Lecture Before the
Yale Union AeIfred's Life and
Times His Struggles and DIM
culties - His Noble Character - A
Hint for Modern Education.
Following is a brief survey of an ex-
cellent lecture by Professor A. S. Cook of
Yale university before the Yale union on
"Aelfred the Great"
"When Aelfred came to the throne in
ST., he did not find single clergy
man who understood the prayer book.
He was twenty-five years old at this
time, having been married for three
years. The reason of this was the inva-
sion by the Danes. He could recol1ect, as
he writes, when religion was much more
common. Even then, however, there was
a lack of interest. But it was $50 years
since Augustine had first landed in Eng
land, nearly as long before Aelfred's time
as the landing of the Pilgrims to US. Eng
land had long been a missionary power.
Aelfred had dreamy outlook. He had
had no reason for ambition, had not
learned his letters till twelve years
old. There were no schools, and
he could hardly have hoped to
come to the throne, being the youngest
of five brothers. He had had some prepa-
ration, however. In the flower of his
youth he had wished to learn the COM
mandments of God. that he might restrain
his sensual desires, and he used to rise
early in the morning and go to the church
| to pray in secret. He had also twice
waived his claims to certain rights given
| l.. r. l.; 80 will fV,f nf
brothers. He showed pre-eminently his
wisdom and courage at the battle of Ash
down against the Danes when he had sub
| ordinate command and this was only one of
many engagements. He had displayed a
| meek and gentle character, and in his
earnest desires to subdue his appetites,
thus manifested in him that burst OF
kingly qualities which made him the
glory of England, and in the thirty years
Of his resignation he never lost them. He
| had definite views in ruling. The king tc
him was mind regnant, and the state 8
work of art, needing men Of
war, men of state, and men of prayer. HI
| was conservative in matters of law, though
he made new laws, so far as necessary, or
the basis of the decalogue and
the golden rule. He also trans
lated books. The worlds best liter
ature in English, he said, Latin after
| ward to those who need it. Here, indeed
| is a suggestion to us. The student enter
| ing college has read six orations of Cicero
but has he not read six orations of Burke
Aelfred taught men to build good housei
and to learn good Saxon books. He CAV.
| large presents, was affable and kind to all
He was the father Of English history, ant
the first to popularize philosophy. 81,
| was eager to attract foreigners to hi,
| court, and even interested himself in mis-
sion work in India. His virtues surpassed
those of Antonious, for he had more self
| control under more trying circumstances
and his legislation was more refining thai
| Lycurgus'.
| "When men deeply religious undertake
to revive letters and art there is no limi
to what they may accomplish. Such me,
owe it to the religion in which they ar
nurtured which is not expended in medita
ton and prayer. 1t is the same in our da,
with Holmes, Lowell, Whittier, Emerson
Aelfred is an example of truth so old i
needs no repetition. Art itself and civil
cation have no self-propagating power, blu
derive their impulse and perpetuity from
| the worship of the unseen. It is Aelfred'
| praise that he blended the two. His DOW
ers were all kept in harmonious play. H
shaped his life and time like an artist, ant
lived for others, humbly hoping his exam
pie might be left for those that came after
at once king over himself and the love
and darling of his people