THE 19th CENTURY: ITS POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2023, 22 February 1883, Page 2

THE 19th CENTURY: ITS POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS.

This was the subject of an interesting lecture delivered in the Wesleyan Church on Tuesday evening, by the Rev. S. La wry, Wesleyan Minister, of Hokitika. There was a fair attendance. The reverend gentlemen introduced the subject of bis lecture by reference to the facts that different periods of history are marked by features which give to each a distinct individuality, and that our estimate of the value of the distinguishing features is likely to be influenced by the general view taken of the tendencies of the age, as illustrated in the extremes of radicalism and conservatism. The distinguishing features of 19th Century political life were sketched under the following headings : A widespread and overgrowing interest in political affairs among all classes of civilised society; a rapid growth of democratic principles; a marked decrease of the warlike disposition among the civilised nations of the world. These points were illustrated by reference to historic facts, and attributed to various causes, which have not only influenced the past but are likely to influence the future still more, and to secure for all the full blessings of equally-distributed political rights and privileges. The social movements of the century were shown to be closely connected with the political, and were ranged in two classes—those bearing on the cause of freedom, and those illustrated in the enterprises of benevolence. Of the former class there were noticed the conflict between capital and labour, the antagonism of classes, and the abolition of slavery. Of the latter class, attention was directed to the growth of charitable societies for the relief of the aged, the afllicted, and the destitute, to the various schemes for avoiding poverty among the working classes; to efforts in the direction of sanitaiy reform; and to the much-needed efforts of Temperance organisations. The lecture was concluded with a brief reference to the social prospects of the English-speaking nations of the world, and the recitation of a portion of Tennyson's " Golden Year." It was listened to with marked attention, and at its close a vote of thanks to the Rev. Mr Lawry was accorded. A musical selection was given by the choir. The takings for admission (Is each) were applied towards the building fund of the parsonage now being erected.