MR. HEALD, M.P., ON MECHANICS' INSTITUTES.

New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 554, 6 August 1851, Page 4

MR. HEALD, M.P., ON MECHANICS' INSTITUTES.

[From the "Watchman," Feb. 5.] At a Social Party of the Members and JFriends of the Stockport Mechanics' institution, James Ileald, Esq., VVesleyan, (the President for the Year, and one of the Members for the Borough,) addre&sed the company at some length, on the objects of the meeting and the obstacles in tho way of intellectual progress. We select a few passages — He would now briefly direct their attention to the objects of their institution. It was to supply the means of mental impioveinent, aud upon terms the most easy and accessible to all desirous of it. It supposed, however, that desire to exist, as well as a proper estimnle of the advantages likely to accrue to eveiy poison vh)

aspued after it and attained it. Without this principle bis young fuends now present, to whom he wished particulirly to addiess these observations, weie not piepaved to avail themselves of, or to jtiofit by any opportunities for the cultivation of their minds, and the discipline and exercise of die mental faculties. Nothing external could supply the lack of an earnest desirp and determination to improve — to make piogress> and ad\ancement in the pursuit of knowledge. (Hear.) '1 hey must make up their minds to submit to discipline — to combat difiiculties — to appreciate every conquest gained as far more impoi taut than the cost of labour and self-denial by which it had been won — and still per^eveie, with the assurance that a certain amount of success was suio sooner or later to reward their pains. Nor let any of the promoteis of these institutions be discoumged, though their progress be slow — look at the foimidable difficulties by which they weie surrounded, and the lntlucncis of which were felt by all, and ought to be taken into consideration in their plans for the improvement of mankind. He would just notice two or three which would demand their patient and continuous efforts Ignorance, Indolence, and Vice, were hindrances of a formidable laud in the way oi mental impiovement and superiority. Ignorance must be met and counteracted by education and discipline such as became their high destinies. (Applause.) The mind must be aroused out of its slumbers — and dreams give place to realities — the fallow ground must be broken up and prepared by education to receive the precious grain of truth of every kind, before they could reap the gladdening harvest. Glad be was to find that the mind of the nation was awakening to the duty of attempting- and providing for the people's education, and much of the advantage of this and similar institutions would ha held in abeyance until the education of the rising generation had been realised, and the adult population had been taught the superionty of knowledge over ignorance and its results. These institutions weie intended to assist those who had been educated at the time when a taste for knowledge, science, and literature in general was felt and could be appreciated, but when without them its gratification could not be well or easily, if at all, secured. They take the young person by the hand and surround him with appliances suited to his circumstances. Some persons objected that the religious element was not provided for, but on a late occasion, when attending the annual meeting of the Mochanics' Institution in the Borough of Ashton-under-Lyne, the Loid Bishop of Manchester drew a distinction of great importance in his (Mr. H.s) judgment, between the principles and duties of institutions like the one before them, and those of simply educational establishments. As far as he could recollect the sentiment, it was to the following effect, that in education they were supposed to implant in the miud all those principles which they wished to see combined and developed in the future character and conduct; while these institutions were supposed to lead on the mind so prepared to an acquaintance with the fundamental principles of science, and of the useful arts, as well as of literature in geneial. The presumption was, that these institutions erected a superstructuie upon a foundation already laid, and sought rather for points of union than those of difference, without giving up the truth already deposited in their own bosoms, or departing one iota ; from the principles which they already held. (Applause.).... Nor was Slothfulness a less difficulty in the way of mental improvement, for it was the besetment of all minds, and showed itself not only in idleness, inaction, and negligence, but in the amusement of light and tuning reading, to the neglect of the sterling and valuable woiks of the day. He rememhered that at a meeting held in Carlisle a £ew days since, to celebrate the first anniversary of tho opening of an operatives' reading-room and library, the Dean of Carlisle (the Rev. Dr. Tait,) late Head Master of Rugby School, and successor to the celebrated Dr. Arnold, took occasion to say, " He had bad to do with young men and boys for a long time, and he had always found that not even the idlest were inclined to pats their whole time without any reading. Both at Oxford and Rugby and every w here else, he had found young men would read even when they did not like to think ; they would read the most frivolous and foolish books, rather than pass their time in doing nothing at all. (Hear.) There was no good to be got iiom leading silly and frivolous novels." (Hear, hear.) The fiothy and evanescent litwature of the day, instead of bracing up the mind, and eliciting* and exercising its poweis by ) ejection, | and pondering the great facts and principles of science and sound knowledge, enervated and enfeebled it, and acted like stimulants upon the human frame Let him also direct their attention to the duty of fleeing from rice and licentiousness in all their fascinating foims, if they would succeed in their attempts at mental cultivation and growth in knowledge. (Great applause.) The habits of the former were totally incompatible with the latter, and must be shunned as their deadliest foes. Let them remember the examples set before them, and which &hould be used as incentives to virtue, to hope, and to diligence. The gifts of Providence were not restricted to sex or class ; genius never was confined to any limits of human creation ; it was the gift of heaven, and often had it come forth out of the cellar or the garret, and burst forth and shed its blaze of light for the advantage of all. Let them, remember, too, for their encouragement, that no other countiy under the sun was so ennched with the recoids of men who have sprung from the gieatest obscunty, had surmounted the most appalling and discouraging circumstances, and, by the force of genius and diligent [ and persevering improvement of such means as they could command, risen to the highest eminence, and taken their places while living amongst tho elite of their race, and then left their fame behind them as an imperishable record of their worth. Independence, self-reliance, and unwearied application, would, by the blessing of Almighty God, render their course a prosperous oue, and bring them within sight and reach of the goal, at which it was fair to presume, from their attendance, they were all aiming. (Applause.) In. conclusion, he would only add, thanking them for the attention with they had listened to him, that the knowledge of God, in his word and works, was the key and the end of all useful knowledge. (Hear, hear.) Let them, therefore, ply (he one diligently and keep the other steadily in view, and their footsteps would be ordeied with discretion, and their pathway conduct them to wisdom, happiness, and peace. (Great cheering.)