HEROES AND THEIR INFLUENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4525, 21 September 1875, Page 3

HEROES AND THEIR INFLUENCE.

Last evening the Rev. James Paterson delivered a lecture in St. John's schoolroom, on " Heroes and their influence."

Sir J. L. C. Richardson occupied the chair, and in a few harmonious remarks introduced the lecturer.

The Rev. Mr. Paterson was received with applause ; and he commenced by saying it might be complained that he should have spoken of great women, but the fact was he preferred to see women gentle, unassuming, and sympathetic, rather than great Speaking to his subject he said, if all were not heroes, all could at least appreciate and admire true heroism, and in this alone there was much that was good, for it had an elevating and ennobling influence, inspiring a man with better thoughts and nobler purposes. The lecturer dilated at some length on the power of sympathy, describing it as one of the deepest and strongest principles of our nature —one of the most influential in moulding our character and in directing our energies and activities. It was through this feeling of sympathy that people were so powerfully influenced by dramatic representations, or by reading works of fiction. Suppose a person entered a theatre, which, however, he (Mr. Paterson) did not wish any of his hearers to do, for on various grounds he thought theatre-going a bad thing, and believed it had had a pernicious effect even in this city—but suppose a person to enter a theatre, as the play proceeds and as the plot developes itself, as dangers gather around the hero, and he is seen involved in the meshes of villains who design to destroy him, the whole heart of the observer goes out towards nim in deepest sympathy. During the course of the performance almost every passion of the human breast might in turn be aroused — anger, hatred, love, hope, fear —and the very awakening of those passions and bringing them into play, even though it be under a delusion, would have an influence upon the observer either for good or for evil according to the nature of the passions thus stirred up, and the objects to which they were directed. Hence the necessity of having noble and worthy objects to contemplate—objects that would kindle an admiration and enthusiasm lor what is good and noble and that tend to purify and elevate man's nature ; and hence the importance of having the mind directed toward the true heroes of history, for, as Carlyle said, " One comfort is that great men taken up in any way are profitable company. We cannot look, however imperfectly, upon a greatman withoutgainingsomethingof hiin,"&e. The lecturer then passed on to notice that admiration, growing into veneration, for great heroic character, was the root-principle of much of the pagan religion. The gods were heroes while they lived, and were admired ; and that principle which led men unconsciously to exaggerate the greatness of those departed was the origin of many of the deities of the ancients. There were two ways in which people were brought under the influence of heroes. First, sympathetic admiration for what was great and good in their acts on man's character, and he was far more powerfully influenced by goodness and virtue when presented in a living form than when merely inculcated in abstract principle. The abstract principle might approve itself to the mind, but the living embodiment of virtue commended itself to the heart ; and by thus appealing to the sympathies it exercised a plastic power over men, and tended to mould them into a likeness of itself. Secondly, heroes influenced not only man's character but his circumstances and condition. Having dwelt upon the fact that the conduct of every man had an influence upon that of his neighbor, he said thus it was that the great men—the heroes of history — had an influence, not only upon the age in which they lived but also on subsequent ages. If, therefore, we must from a very principle of our nature admire heroes, surely it must be of importance that we should inquire who are true heroes—heroes worthy of admiration. He then turned his attention to the question, what constitutes a true hero ? and declared it to be, to have the mental and moral capabilities, and the will and power to use them in accomplishing great and noble purposes. Not one solitary act, but a series of acts of valorous achievement, constituted the true hero ; and not Bimply the act or acts, but the motive or principle from which those sprung. A brilliant exploit, performed from a mere love of display, or love of danger and adventure, would not constitute a hero. It must be done from a light motive, with a right end in view. It must be the accomplishment of a wise and good purpose. A true hero was a truly great man, and a truly great man was one who devised and accomplished noble things. There was a tendency in the present diy to worship mere genius, no matter how unworthily that genius might have been applied, or with what base moral qualities it might be associated. Now this was wrong, for it led to a confounding of good and evil, of true and false. History told of men of the finest genius but of the meanest character, men of the most original genius and of the most powerful intellect, who wielded a mighty influence in their day, and who left their impress on the age in which they lived, who yet were men of no large heartedness, of no exalted views or aims, of no generous sympathies, of no noble impulses ; men who did evil, and who did it on a large scale, who prostrated their genius to the vilest feelings, and whose influence only tended to cast a blight on the noblest feelings and dearest hopes of man. He referred to Voltaire as an instance of this truth, and said that brilliant though his genius was he nevertheless was one of the meanest and most worthless of mankind. Goethe, the prince of German literature was also cited as an illustration ; also Bacon, Byron, Napoleon I. In contrast with whom were mentioned Schiller (of Germany), Newton, Shakspere, Scott, Wellington, Nelson, Lawrence, Havelock, Clyde, Outram (of Great Britain), Washington and Lee (of America). When one read of men like these, and like that great and good man, Commodore Goodenough, whose last touching words were so full of love and Christian piety, at once he recognised true heroes—men of true greatness of character, whose influence for good was deep and widespread and lasting, and whose memory could never die. He urged his hearera to cultivate this true manliness of character, a chivalrousnes3 of spirit that would do or dare anything in the cause of truth and justice, that would scorn to do anything mean or selfish or cowardly. Let each have a brave, true heart, that would never shrink from danger, nor fear a foe, nor fail a friend. Let each live in the fear of God and have no other fear, and in His strength strive to lead a pure and useful and noble life—

Lives of great men all remind us We can make our Uvea sublime, And departing leave behind U 3 Footprints on the sands of timeFootprints that perhaps another, Sailing o'er life's solemn main, A forlorn, a shipwrecked brother Seeing, shall take heart again. Let ns then be up and doing. With a heart for any fate, Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait. The rev. gentleman resumed his seat amid cheers.

The usual vote of thanks was moved by the Ven. Archdeacon Stock, and carried by hearty acclamation.

The Rev. Mr. Paterson in acknowledging the vote, said he hoped that Mr. Stout, M.H.R., would deliver the next lecture. He had promised to do so if his other duties would permit of it.