PROFESSOR ALDIS' LECTURE AT EPSOM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7319, 4 May 1885, Page 3

PROFESSOR ALDIS' LECTURE AT EPSOM.

Professor Aldis formally opened the winter session of the Epsom Mutual Improvement Society on Wednesday evening last, by delivering a lecture on " Some of the Advantages and Dangers of Mutual Improvement Societies." The hall was comfortably full ot members of the society and visitors. Sir Or. M, O'Rorke, M.B.R. for the Manukau district, was voted to the ohair. The Chairman expressed regret at the absence of Mr. Gardner, President of the society, whose absence was caused by indisposition, of, he hoped, a very temporary nature. Professor Aldis, on being introduced to the meeting, was well received. He commenced his eubject by explaining that he had hardly promised to give a lecture, but hitd simply promised to deliver an address to open the winter session of the Epsom Mutual Improvement Society. It was therefore some surprise to find it publicly announced that he was to deli ver alecture. Commencing hi* subject proper, he in a most lucid and interesting manner traced the history of education during the past, and showed the effect it had produced upon the state of society, entirely changing wnat was known as the good old times, when the distinction were for the most part marked by lines of affluence and poverty. Nevertheless, there never was a> time when knowledge was not recognised as a great and powerful agency, and the learned priest Thomas VBeckit, though finally a martyr, was a greater real power in the land at the time than the monarch in whose reign he lived. He gave a graphic description of the way in which many valuable and important discoveries had been made, mainly through the close observations and intense appreciation of individuals in the humblest walks of life, and then by a natural and happy gradation obtained the full sympathy of his audience by showing his own heartfelt sympathy with those who were unable to secure the benefits of higher education on account of the pressure caused by the necessity of leaving school at an early age to engage in some branch of labour. The subject more expressly directed to the Mutual Improvement Society was given under two aphorisms—(l.) That knowledge is power; and (2.) that a little learning is a dangerous thing. The first of these topics was beautifully illustrated by the description of a heavy pillar whioh the ancients in the East had carved out of solid rock, but which they were after* warde unable to move from where it lay; and alflo by another pillar or obeliik of greater weight, which modem engineering skill had moved, as though it were a feather, from where it was carried to where it stands triumphantly erect in the city of London. In dealing with the second topic, he said that there was some misapprehension about the proverb, as though it said a little learn* ing is a hurtful thing, which was a totally di&Aent matter, as it only became hurtful when a person poiseised a little learning, and then atrove to show to the world that he possessed a great deal; illustrating this part of his subject by quoting largely from Socrates. He also urged upon his hearers the absolute necessity to the attainment of success to start upon a solid foundation, and not to apply concrete rules to any branch of science without a knowledge of the fundamendal principles of the whole, just as some persons talked about agricultural chemistry without any knowledge of the great principles of chemistry. He also spoke at considerable length on the matter, manner, and motive which should be dealt with and adopted by auoh Bocieris as the one addressed. Of the first there was not much difference what it

was -if thorough. Tha manner most be fundamental, systematic, and orderly; and the motive should lie the glory of God and the sincere desire to help one another. The lecture laated about; an hour, and was concluded amidst great applause. A hearty vote of thanks to Professor Aldia for his eloquent, interesting, and instructive lecture wu passed unanimously. Sir G. M. O'Rorke, in tendering the of the meeting to Profesuor Aldia, spoke with pleasure at the part he had taken ill obtaining the Profecnon for the Auckland University, and expressed the gladness he felt that, beneath the Professors' garb, there manifestly beat the isettlen' heart. A hearty vote of Ikhanks to the Chairman terminated the interesting proceedings.