TRINITY DEBATING SOCIETY.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 16 August 1901, Page 3

TRINITY DEBATING SOCIETY.

Ah intellectual treat was afforded the members of Trinity Literary and Debating Society last evening when the Rev. R. Stewart delivered an eloquent and instructive address on *' Books, and how to read them.”

The Rev. G. W. York occupied the chair, and in his opening remarks alluded to the wideness and importance of the subject, and the well known capability of the reverend lecturer. He then called upon the reverend gentleman to deliver his address which lasted the best part of two hours, and was listened to with deepest attention throughout. The lecturer began by tracing the evolution of books from the monumental period when writing was graven on the stones and rocks, then later on written tablets, papyrus, parchment, to the paper period and the present elaborately bound and handsome volumes. He then briefly reviewed the whole wide realm of Literature, History, Political Economy, Poetry, Philosophy, Romance or Fiction and Biography. Touching briefly on the pre-fiistorio period, he said that authentic history dates back some 4000 years and everyone should endeavour to make himself acquainted with this heritage of human life, efforts, and experience, otherwise he was like a man who attended a meeting when it was three parts over. He was liable to form an incorrect estimate of the matter under discussion, seeing he had not beard the first part. Ancient history gathered itself around Jerusalem, Athens and Rome and could be studied in the Bible and the classics.

Political economy was a necessary subject, and he advised toe reading of such books as Adam Smith’s “Wealth of Nations" toe two Mills, Marshall, Walker, and Kidds’ Social Evolution. Poetry, which spoke to the heart andflashed glorified images of things before the mind, was eloquently treated by the Laoturer. Ho apaarently revelled in the thoughts and fancies begotten by such names as ‘Homer,’ ‘Vigil,’ ‘Milton,’ ‘Dante,’ ‘Shakespeare,’ and ‘Tennyson.’ Philosophy's best exponenents were Plato and Aristotle, Cicero, Thomas Asquinas, Duns Scotus, Bacon, Newtown, and Lock.

Romance or Fiction, the popular style of reading in these days as evidenced by circulating libraries was not outside the Reverend gentleman’s omnivorous appetite for books, for he proved to be a great admirer of Scott, Thackeray, Kingsly, Carlyle, Dickens, and for most of the writers of to-day with the exception of Zola, who writings he strongly reprehended.

Biography was only history in another form, and should be extensively read as it was more reliable and beneficial than aim-st any other part of literature. He conclnded his lecture of which the foregoing is but the barest epitome, by giving some useful hints on reading 1. Have a plan. 2. Devote and economise time. 3. Bead with attention. 4. Cultivate speed. 5. Criticise as you read. Lives of great men all remind us, We can make our lives sublime, And departing leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time. Mr Edwards proposed, and Mr Kendall seconded a hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer, which was carried by acclamation.

It was agreed to accept the challenge of the Kumara Club to a friendly debate on September 10th, and the subject selected was “ That New Zealand should not join the Australasian Federation.”