LECTURE ON MUTUAL IMPROVE MENT.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 79, 16 May 1871, Page 6

LECTURE ON MUTUAL IMPROVE MENT.

The Rev. Father Royer delivered a lecture on Thursday evening at Kidd's Cromwell Concert Hall, in aid of the local cemetery funds. Mr Patrick Kelly occupied the chair, and remarked that the cemetery, a " city of the dead," having fallen into a state of great neglect, Father Royer had readily consented to give a lecture, the proceeds to be given in aid of the funds of the cemetery.

The Rev. lecturer explained the reason why he was unable to arrive in Cromwell on the previous day. His clerical duties had detained him elsewhere. He pro ceeded to expatiate on' the advantages of mutual instruction, which would enlarge persons' knowledge and extend the horizon of intelligence. Knowledge was power. It enabled men to look into and understand the past, the present, and the future. The tree of knowledge would yield perennial fruit: thus it was that the great fabric had been built up, and made to brighten, beautify, and bless society ; elevating men's natures and creating social delights. He referred to Michael Angelo, the architect of St. Peter's at Rome, to Mozart, to Milton and others, as examples of the value of mental culture. From small beginnings great events arose. Knowledge had been instrumental in peopling regions previously unknown ; had revealed the histoi-y of pre-Adamite existence, and given life Alii reality to a longpast period. All departments of science, and the respect for government and law, depended on the diffusion of knowledge. Ignorance was a great power for evil; but the possession of knowledge—mental superiority—was the glory of a man. He advanced several arguments in favour of the formation of Mutual Improvement Societies, as they served to promote all that was good and beautiful. Their watchword should be "Perseverance." (Applause.) Mr J. Taylor proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer, which was carried by acclamation.

The Rev. Father Royer, in acknowledging the vote of thanks, farther urged the desirability of establishing a Debating Society, and getting together a library.

After a few remarks from the Chairman, the assembly dispersed. The sum realised by the Lecture was, we believe, £4 17s Gd.