The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-10-12
TWO SUNDAY LECTURES.
Rev. sam Small Spoke at tho Academy
Twice Sunday 10 Large Audiences,


The Academy of Music was filled twice
with people on Sunday--at z. NJ. to hear
Rev. Sam Small lecture on Manhood
and at s Z. NJ. 20 hear him tell of what
his course was From Bar-RoOm TO Pull
pit"
Mr.. Small is thinker and observer,
and as interesting and original as any
man on the platform to-day.
Pathetic or humorous. as he was al
ternately, he held the close attention OF
and received liberal applause from ms
audiences.
lie said all ages and peoples had de-
finitive ideal OF what constituted supreme
manhood. Sometimes the ideal was ply
steal, and sometimes mental, but the only
true and eternal ideal is the spiritual man,
thoroughly furnished to all good works.
While physical manhood is desirable.
since the major part of the worlds work
and advancement is devolved upon physi-
cal power, yet the merely muscular ami
NAL, man, Is less and less the most adj
mirable type OF manhood. Yet the world
stll harbors streak OF admiration for
brutal powers, as witness the worldwide
eagerness to know the details of the Cor
-Fitzsimmons prize-fght But IL the
ability to deliver a Knockout blow In the
arena Is a token of manhood, / can find
Georgia mule any day who has more
manhood in his off hind-leg than both
Corbett and FitzsimmOns rolled into ono
mani
Nor is the mentally polished man the
true ideal. IL IS admirable to know
things, but as Josh Billings said 1T is
better not 10 know so many things when
most Of them are not so,' and especially,
also, when most OF them are worthless 10
the possessor. We Americans have made
a great fad Of universal education and are
pushing our schemes into the most exotic,
not to say QuixOtic system. from the KIN
dergarten TO the university.
our tendency is TO Over-educate and edu-
cate beyond all possible practcability 10
employ the education. The State, in this
free republic. Is advantaged by having an
intelligent. educated constituency, no
doubt. but public taxation should be
strained no further than 10 furnish all
the people with the elementary principles
OF an English education and leave the rest
to individual ambition and enterprise.
The financial ideal Is the worst one TO
which we have yielded recognition Money
mas become the standard Of valuation Of
men In social business and political fields.
it makes little concern for the social mob
or the political push how the man got his
money. whether by wrong, fraud. or un-
whipped theft. so long as he has IL and
will spend Il freely. Character on moral
lines counts for little in trade-thc qucs-
ton always Is can you give bond not TO
make away with the goods entrusted 70
you! God help us 10 change the system
and learn, as a people, 10 estimate men
by the credentials OF moral character
rather than the amount OF his reputed
wealth. his stocks and bonds. Let us give
youth an incentive TO perfect moral man
hood rather than 20 merely acquire insen-
safe money!
No time has ever demanded the highest
type Of manhood as the present time does.
The world Is groaning in great endeavors
and God and humanity need heroes in
every walk OF life In the public service
there Is a demand for moral. spiritual
statesmanship
Men who WIN lay
The States foundations broad and strong,
Whose acts via bear the light OF day,
Who have no faith in CHARTERED wrorgr
So that II II be true that our legislative
halls are crowded with men VINO won
Mace through money. who legislate for
private gain and sell the peoples rights
as In the shambles. these evils may be
abolished. The only remedy is in an en-
ughtened. spirltualizod public conscience
maj viii repudiate the trickster and the
trader, denounce partisanship without pa
triotism and bosses who rule for Doodle.
we need men on the bench-the courts
being the last refuge for the protection Of
the rights OF men-who Will do justice tho
the heavens fali-mcn who
would not natter Neptune for his trident,
Nor love FOR his power 20 thunder!"
We need n.cn--honest. fearless men, as
directors OF the press OF the land-that
great machine which is
.-'rhe mightiest OF the means
On which the arm OF Progress leans"
A venal press IS = blasphemy Of God
and curse 10 the people, but courage
Gus. clean newspaper is a blessing and a
buiwark 10 the community. ! admire
most among men. perhaps the editor who
il above public clamor and transient cur
rents Of opinion. like such a man as
the editor OF the Richmond Tmes-with
whom do not always agree in sentiment.
because ne is fair. bold and true to his
convictions Of right, facing Without fear