Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-10-10
A FINE LECTURE
DELIVERED BY PROF. LYMAN P. POWELL,
LAST EVENING.
The Theme Of washington an Lincoln" an In
spring Ons-lhs Proposed Coarse Of
Lectures in This City.

I.
lean history for the American Univer'
sity Extension Society.
The lecturer was introduced by Rev.
DR.. VIM. A. Cooke, who presided over
the meeting. At the close of the lee
ture on Washington and Lincoln, which
was an able effort upon an Inspiring
| theme, the lecturer gave brief talk
concerning the aim, scope and method
/ OF University extension.
He said that University extension
aims to bring University education 20
| the people; TO convert the universities
I from cisterns in which intellectual
waters are stored up, into irrigating
canals which carry living waters OF
| higher ideals 10 the farthest lands.
University extension adds TO the Chau-
tauoua system of private reading the
vital spark OF an effective, inspiring
teacher. It's mission, like that OF the
church, is 10 substitute high ideals for
low ideals and to make the world better
by banishing village gossip and
giving people great men and great
measures to talk about. Every course
of university extension lectures consists
of at least six lectures dealing with
some great epoch of history, or some
series of economic truths, or some field
of literature, or some department Of the
natural sciences. The lectures are both
interesting and instructive. After the
lecture there is a class discussion In
which all may participate. Questions
are asked the lecturer, and in many
places the class proves to be the most
Interesting feature OF the work. a syl-
labus of the lectures is furnished
either free or for nominal cost. The
syllabus contains an abstract of the lee
lures, suggestions for reading, and
questions TO be answered in writing at
home by those who wish 10 take the
final examination. The majority in
every audience are people too busy 10
90 more than attend the lectures, but In
mauv places a considerable number not
only attend the lectures but take part in
the class discussion, write papers, read
books and pass the final examination,
after which they receive
certificate from the American Society
for the extension of university teach
more persons are now enrolled as at
pendants upon university extension
courses.
At the close of Mr.. PoWell's remarks
there was an earnest discussion. A
temporary committee was at once
chosen, with power to organize the
work in Wheeling. The committee con-
sists of such representative men as Rev.
DR.. VIM. II. Cooke, Mr.. +. w. Banner,
Prof. w. IL. Anderson, Rev. DR.. A. b.
Riker, Prof. John Birch and Mr.. Stan
ton, our city bookseller. The commit
tee will meet this evening, and at their
request Dir. Powell will be present TO
assist them in laying plans for strong
and permanent organization In Wheel
ing. Many Ohio towns and cities are
nLganizilg. and the Interest manifested
aud the earnest discussions OF last night
indicate an evident purpose TO, have
Wheeling set the pace for Reighboring
cities and towns.
The course in progress in this region
this autumn is Mr.. PowelPs course OF
six lectures on American Political His
I tory from l776 TO 1915. The first lee
American Revolution and the Confeder-
alton; the second, with the making OF
the Constitution, including character
| sketches OF the great mem bers OF the
convention OF 1897. The third lecture
| is an estimate of the services Of Alex
I andar Hamilton; the fourth deals with
! the great political duel between Hamil-
ton and Jefferson, as shown in the rise
and fall Of the Federal party; the fifth
lecture considers the strange case OF
Thomas Jefferson, and the sixth
issa vivid sketch OF the war Of 1872.
The lectures will be illustrated with
rare portraits OF the statesmen Of the
time, old paintings and charts. The
portraits Of Washington, Franklin,
Lincoln and others have been made by
the best American slide makers, and
with the aid Of Professor Stevenson
excellent lime light lantern will surely
prove one Of the most interesting feat
ures OF the course.
Mr.. Powell's lecture on Washington
and Lincoln was not made from the
standp point Of q carping critic, but OF an
enthusiastic, optimistic American, who
believes that Washington and Lincoln
reached the high water mark Of Ameri-
canism, aud deserve TO be followed by
modern Americans who would best
serve their country. He called Wash
ipKtou and Lincoln world characters,
worthy to be placed by the side OF Peri
ces, Caesar, Cromwell, Frederick the
Great and Napoleon. More than that
they were men supremacy good As
as we'll as sup-emeIy great. Their
unlikeness 10 pedigree, education and
appearance was stated and illustrated,
and their likeness in uprightness, stead
fastness, patriotic purpose, serenity,
magnaminity and wisdom was empha-
sized. Both were national, not sec
tional; independent, not colonial; demo-
cratic, not demagogic; both American
In the truest, no5lest sense. The diff
culties with which they had TO contend
were indicated. Many interesting an
ecdotes were introduced 20 set of their
traits and habits. Mr. Powell claimed
thew rank with the greatest world char
acters because they saw when their con-
temporaries did not that the greatest
struggle OF civilization is 10 establish
peace and orderly living for the world.
10 liberating America from England,
Washington assured the establishment
of peace 10 the western world. 10 saw
ing the union OF States Lincoln pre-
served peace not merely for America
but for the whole world. He, there
fore, like Washington was truly world
character.
The committee will make q report as
soon as possible, and Wheeling, ii is be-
lieyed, will have an opportunity 10 take
front rank among the foremost Of the
hundreds Of cities and towns engaged IN
the work. Towns. small as well Gas
large, are engaged in the work. One Of
the bes; centres last year was Penn
srIvaniR Village OF barely 400 people.