LECTURES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9155, 10 September 1888, Page 10

LECTURES.

As one of a course of winter evening lectures and entertainments, the Rev. J. Chew, of ford-street Congregational Church, delivered a very interesting lecture on the 21st August in the Congregational Church, Parnell (The Oddfellows' Hall). The weather was very unfavourable, bub there was a fair attendance, and the Rev. H. M. Livens presided. The subject of the lecture was " Query : or Notes of Interrogation," and the Rev. Mr. Chew kept his audience amused and instructed while treating of this novel subject.

Ft. Bond delivered the final lecture of his very instructive course on ambulance work at the Young Men's Christian Association Rooms on the '21st August, and there was a large attendance, mostly of young men, who listened with great attention to the instruction afforded them. Dr. Bond dealt with burns and scalds and their remedies, also with poisons (narcotic and irritant), and then gave useful information as to the best means of removing or assisting a person tiering from accident, such as a broken leg. A cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Dr. Bond at the close of his interesting and instructive course of lectures.

At the Young Men's Christian Association Lecture Hall 011 August 17, the Rev. C. H. Garland delivered a lecture upon " Character," to an audience that was a good one, when the inclement nature of the weather is considered. The rev. gentleman's lecture was a forcible urging of the great importance of a good character, which lie considered to be a man's only real property, all other wealth being of a transitory nature. He illustrated what he designated manufactured character, showing that a man's reputation and his character were separate tilings. A man's reputation was what he was understood to be ; a man's character was what he was in reality. The usual votes of t hanks and the Benediction closed the meeting. The chair was taken by Mr. J. L. Wilson. At the Auckland Athenaeum on August 16, Rev. E. H. Gulliver delivered a brief address upon " Nature's Plan of Education," which was appreciatively listened to by those present. The speaker stated that in opposition to the natural plan of individual development, by drawing out the faculties of children, there was in the present-day educational system, too much of the pouring of facts into the brains of children. A gn at fault of the present system of teaching was that they dealt with words and names, which were but shadows of facts, while nature's plan was to bring the pupil face to face with the facts themselves, and teach by experience. Competitive examinations were one of the greatest curses to our nineteenth century life. They were prevalent everywhere, and the entrance to nearly every profession and sphere of labour was being hedged round by them. There was no objection to a pass or test examination, in which only a certain standard of merit was demanded from all, but a competitive trial in which the prize was given to the highest, was quite against the laws of nature. Drs. Moore and Girdler, and Messrs. Newcombe and J. McLachlan also discussed the views contained in the paper, and Mr. Gulliver replied. On Friday evening, August 24, Mr. Rees, headmaster of the Point Chevalier District School, delivered a most interesting lecture on India before the Mount Albert Mutual Improvement Society. The lecturer introduced is subject by giving a general outline of the size and extent of the country, its lofty range of mountains, its rivers, population, races, and languages. The sub-divisions of the country were described, and the peculiar manners and customs of the various nationalities. Having resided in India for a period of twenty-eight years, and taken an active part in avenging the atrocities committed by the Sepoys, the lecturer spoke with authority, and was listened to with rapt attention. Musical selections were rendered by members of the class, and at the close a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer.

Mrs. W. J. Harris, better known to the reading world as " Jenny Wren," delivered an interesting lecture on the '2*2 nd August in the social hall of the Young Men's Christian Association rooms on the subject of " Love, Life, and Labour." There was a fair attendance, and Mr. Lilly presided. On the platform with the chairman and the lecturess were Mrs. Lilly and Miss Leucham. Mrs. Harris was received with applause, and as the lecture proceeded, her thoughtful and sometimes strong opinions on certain subjects showed considerable study, and her pure and excellent choice of language stamped her as a woman of great culture. In the course of the lecture Mrs. Harris gave a great deal of useful advice. On the motion of the chairman a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mrs. Harris for her teres tins nail instructive lecture.

A lecture on "The Spanish a* T~ was delivered on the 27th Au« u «t -T' City Hall by Mr. H. Worthing,, in V,"* bration of the tri-centenary of the v' C / e " over the famous fleet of the Kin" r ,f I There was but a moderate attend 13 ' Ihe lecture was an excellent one h~n-Ce-been carefully prepared, and the hUrt!'"". the expedition of the Armada was «i. J- l cally told. Mr. Newcoinbe presided ß l " On the 28th August the Rev Mr' c; geon delivered a lecture on " Sleep' t pa . r " Tabernacle Mutual Improvement R -l" 2 The large schoolroom was well tflfe an appreciative audience. Mr. E. J;!.n, ', the chair, and Mr. Spurgeon opened th* proceedings with prayer. After aW • troductory remarks from the Chairman 'T lecturer began in his well-known hum,', " ie style to teach his audience how to ' 1 while he kept them wakeful, showing,?' l '' the advantages of the "beauty Men" i of early rising, instancing Milf.n u- i ling-ton, and Frederick the tiriUr examples of early risers. On the 'n of Mr. Cleveland, seconded hv M i*. j? a a unanimous vote of thanks was'piU*,.,] Mr. Spurgeon for his very hble'wt t0 which was suitably acknowlf-d,<-.-,i* ""'v similar compliment was paid to th'>. (■(, • man, and a short prayer brought a ve-vT' joyablc evening to a close. " "" fcn " At the Young Men's Christian Assoc-;- <: Rooms on the 28th August Mr. .John v'" a physical instructor to the gymnasium'r?*) an excellent paper on " Physical )•',]„ tion." There w:is a fair iiU-iirln ... "ayoung men, and Mr. Brakenrig, the fc-v-M secretary of the Association, pM.Vjrj'." Mr. Moss showed the great value 0 f i-"'-' cious physical training to public si,*and singers in increasing the jrirth ofVv! chest and lung power. He ave en"* valuable advice to young nien with re'"- 'l to the benefit to general health to~Y' derived from prudent exercise, svstemt'" bathing, and regular hours,' W . S ,,J laid down some rules for the «uM-7* of beginners in athletic pursuit-' ' \- the close of the paper, Mr. Wii.'.v'"-- 1 ' on behalf of the members of th,. ' nasium, presented Air. Moss with" .!'* excellent photograph of li) number-' in a group, enclosed in a beautiful crji-' frame, as an expression of regard ami esteem for Mr. Moss by those who have been under his tuition during the last irV months. Air. Moss returned thank* in - ew words.

Mr. Josiah Martin, W.M. of tin; Masonic Lodge, Prince of Wales, delivered the (-oneluding lecture of the course on " _\j. and Mystery," at the Sln.-onie i[~if Princes-street, on Augu-t SO, and although the evening was cold and wet theie ua-\ good attendance, including a large number of ladies. Dr. Dawson presided. Th,> lecture was most profusely illustrated 1.-,' limelight views, and was treated in a verv pleasing manner. A lecture on " Tennyson " was delivererl at the Young Men's Christian A.-soeiatioti Rooms, 011 the :51st; August, by Dr. .Murray Moore. Sir William Fox presided. Dr. Moore gave a brief and inleresu.-y sketch of the life, ) >ersonal appearance and habits of the Poet Laureate, at; I quoted largely from Ids works in order to show the power and sweenies* <( his poetry. His literary encounter with Christopher North (Professor Wilson) and the attacks made upon his work bv other hostile critics were referred to, and the lecturer went on to instance "The Princess" and "In Memorial!), as amoiii;.-; the finest of Tennyson's productions, the latter being characterised as one of the noblest religious poems of modern times. Dr. Moore remarked that tin admirable opportunity for the display of Tennyson's gift of poesy was offered in the landscape scenery of New Zealand, but a visit to these shores was now unlikely, especially in view of the poet's advanced age. During the evening some of Tennyson's songs were rendered. .

Heir Tutschka delivered an interesting address before the Auckland Athetutuiii on September G on "Schubert." There was a crowded attendance. The I Lev. C. M. Nelson presided. A vote of thank* was passed to Herr Tutschka and the ladi i and gentlemen who had performed at the concert. With the exception of Messrs. Eady and.Keesing, those who assisted Herr Tutschka are his pupils.