The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-01-12

A large audience was delighted With
the lecture delivered at the First
Christian church last night. by Hon. q
4. Sweeney, Of Columbus. Ind, on The
Golden Age" All the good words Of his
ability that had preceded the lecturer
were verified. The lecture was elo-
quence personihed, It vas elevating. In
structive and entertaining, and the FREE
quent flashes Of humor and pathOs.
couched in homely dressing. combined
to make 1t a rare treat and well repay
ing the auditors for Drawing the stormy
weather.
AIr. Sweeney. who is a clergyman Of
the Disciples Of Christ, or as It is also
known, the Christian church. was min
Ster to Turkey under President Harri-
sons administration. and he Is pecu-
larry well Informed on public affairs.
In appearance he resembles John G.
Carlisle, and he has magnetic pres
enee with a charming. fluent delivery.
HIS lecture abounded with practical
suggestions as to making life better
and his views were highly optimistic.
His tribute to America and its institu-
lions elected liberal applause, especial
~ when he eulogized ''the little red
school house"
During his lecture. Mr.. Sweeney
scofred at the cry Of imperialism"
raised by critics Of the administration,
saying the critics knew not whereof
they spoke, and he illustrated his ar
gumenr by showing how insignificant
was the armed force Of the United
States compared with the nations Of
Europe. This country's strength lay in
the fact that 1t allowed the liberty Of
the individual. he said, yet more vigi-
lance was required TO maintain the
purity Of the ballot box and to resist
any encroachments on the public school
system. In noting the progress Of the
world as represented By the telephone
and other inventions, Mr.. Sweeney felt
certain there were other wonderful
unitarian appliances to follow IN the
unexpIored realms Of SCIENCE.
The speaker said, in part:
IAN religious teachers and philoso-
pliers have regarded as the object Of
all teaching the end of all effort. To
this agree Confuclus and Zoroaster. So
crates and Buddha, Mahomet and
Christ. Even science in the person OF
Humboldt, declares AL the world is but
a platform upon which to erect man
hood. AS the aloe plant tolls patiently
for ninety-nine years, that on the hun
dredth it may shoot up spike Of glory
and burst into a spray OF beauty and
splendor and thus the energies sub
lime of a century burst ll-blossomed
from the thorny stem Of time. so the
long train Of ancient earth-life dragged
It's way through the detritus Of ages
past TO find this flower and fruitage in
man the climax Of Gods creation and
masterpiece Of His handiwork.
1T is better to be a man than the At
lantic ocean. or the Rocky Mountains.
Kepler tells US that man is the only
thing created that Can think Gods
thoughts after Him" Man is more
valuable than what he has acquired, or
what he has organized or achieved. He
was made for mastery and the first
command given him was Have Do
minion."
"All this being true, the Golden Age
will be reached when everything in
the world serves man in the highest
possible degree.
mo profession or calling should be
practIced or followed that does not
minister to man.
1.-THE golden age Of government will
be reached when 1t ministers in the
highest degree to man.
Likewise the golden age OF the
church. the true church, in the future
win be known like It's master by going
about doing good.
Likewise the family will reach It's
golden age in its highest service to
humanity.
Service is. the great law of happi-
ness and is the only way to build up a
character worth saving"