MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE.

Auckland Examiner, Volume 1, Issue 27, 18 June 1857, Page 3

MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE.

Lecture on Self-education by the Rev. R. Ward. Ever since Dr. Channing delivered his Discourse on Self-Culture, to enlarge upon ahe importance of such culture many large and liberal.-minded men have earnestly devoted themselves. No higher, because no worthier, object is conceivable. Bu*. the success of these earnest self-culture advocates has scarcely been commensurate to the extent of their efforts and sacrifices. Even in highly-civilized •countries, Self-Culture as preached by Dr. Channing, is still a desideiatum—Why ? Because the Channing idea of Self-Culture runs before* every known popular wind. Perhaps Self-Chilture or Self-Education advocates are themselves in part to blame for this. They ask of human nature too much, and quite naturiiliy get very little. What revolts human nature, by asking too much of it, cannot stand. This sin was committed by the Rev. Mr. Ward, whose lecture was rich in admirable maxims, but whose philosophy leaks a liitle. Much of his eloquent advice to young men might, if acted upon, make them very stupid. For example, he would have them so fearful of not sufficiently stuffing themselves with the dainties to be found in some book as to read at meal times. What be said upon that score, reminded us of Sir Boyle Roach, who, writing to a friend, said —I write with a pistol in each hani and a pen in the other; for h& would have self-educationists in such a desperate hurry to be knowing as to dine fork in one hand, knife in the other, and book in the other. Few pedantries more absurd than the pedantry which thus displays itself. While eating and d linking, to think on ought else but eating and drinking, is physically wrong. Books are admirable, but hard thinking at meals spoils digestion. The Rev. Mr. Ward would have young; men always anxious, and as it were, in a hurry to get book knowledge. We would not; and advise them to care less about what is to> be read in books than what is to be seem in society. The Rev. Mr. Ward is of opinion that young men should not waste time in rending novels. We tell them that out of novel s may be gathered more valuable knowledge of ‘ Nature and Human Nature,” than out oil all the books even written by pedantic form?,lists and cramming philosophers. The Rev. Mr. Ward advises young men to become exceeding wise; but on no account to immerse them selves in the muddy waters of politics. We, on the other hand, consider politics the science of sciences; and that telling young men they can well educate themselves while in utter ignorance of it, is to tell them what neither young men nor old men should accept. These fallacies, notwithstanding, we listened t# th<s Rev. Mr. Ward with mtuA pleasure?; fad

regretted that so few attended to hear his lecture, which, in elegant phrase, developed many valuable truths.