The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1899-01-23
THE SECULAR LEAGUE.
Professor kirlS's Lecture Upon "The
Conservation of the Memory"


Conservation of the Memory
The Conservation of the Memory was
the subject presented by the president,
Prof. II. c. Kirk. at the Secular League
yesterday afternoon. In conclusion, he
said:
Having referred TO the fact that each cell and
tissue probably POSSESSES memory, that portions
Of this vast field sometimes exhibited in
unconscious cerebration. that thus far little atten
lion has been paid TO the discipline necessary
10 produce deep and lasting impressions, that
exceptional examples indicate higher results pos
sble for ali. that this faculty is progressive in
chaTactcr-its varying grades being shown 10y
different individuals that the other mental facul-
ties, less defective in every individual.
improve the basis OF memory improves there
remains one further consideration: the differences
Of memory must be correct as to substance and
arrangement their reactions harmful and
destructive Accordingly, memory must approx
mate perfection truth is acquired and most
logically arranged.
Though Error, wounded. writhes with pain,
And dies among its worshipers;
Yet tolerated in the brain.
II takes the Life Of him that
Shakespeare calls memory ''the wardsI Of the
BRAIN; and many soldier has met his death
by installing forgetting the CountcTsiEn, 50
whatever is false in mental concepts, III pro
portion to its extent and Character. tends
react viciously upon the mind; and this results
from every sort Of error suppose We should
Of some great physical principle. As gravitation.
should undoubtedly ind that this error was all
along rractlng disisifousiy upon our physca! he
ing and progress.
Truth Is thoroughly a unity that advance
in any direction l. aIi advance In all while error,
like leak in the ship wherever located or how
small throaieTs the well being Of the whole,
and errors of arrangement may he injurious
errors in the subject matter Of memories \
logical arrangement II what >c learn i in accord
with the method OF nature, which always tends
toward equilibrium j. VI. Charcot, the great
authority cerebral localization, says The
Cnccphalon does not represent homogeneous
organ. unit, hut rather association, or 4
confederation, composed Of certain number of
diverse organs. To each of these organs belong
distinct physiological properties. functions. and
facuties.'' Neither is the brain the sole seat OF
memory, but the whole organism is: and whatever
tends to conserve the whole organism tends to
conserve the memory.
Keep the tissues. therefore. plastic and healthy:
develop the muscular system, by which the brain
and connections also Strengthened fix
thoroughly by careful attention the most valuable
truths only. arranging each subject in logical
order. and the memory cannot fat to improve or
attain the highest state practicable at any given
time.
The discussion which followed was par
ticipated in by Prof ". NJ. Coleman. Miss
Henrietta Morrison. Nj Hogariy. Major
Maurice Pechin, DR.. David Eccles Pro-
fessor Burbage. Mrs. Woodward, Mr.. John
son, and others.
Resolutions were adopted at the meeting
protesting against the passage of the bill
now pending in Congress to exempt the
property recently acquired by the Young
Mems Christian Association from taxation.
The following committee was appointed
to appeal to the District committees to
protest against the passage OF the bill:
Gen. William Birney, Prof. Hyland g.
Kirk. Or. w. A. Croffut, Dr. William How
ard, Prof William Cheshire Messrs. Maui
rice Pechin David Eccles. W. d. Burbage.
Clifford Howard. W. II. Burr. C. C. Carter.
H. w. Selah, ". L. Watson. Edward Dor
relle J. l.. McCreery. c. a Snow. $ NJ
Baldwin. Mrs. Susan Woodward. Misses
! Hattie Morrison, Gertrude l.. Metcalf and
May White W. NJ. Coleman. Dr. l.. II.
Klemm, DR.. Vickers Fell, and Major John
! McElroy.