LECTURES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2214, 25 June 1891, Page 3

LECTURES.

In connection with the missionary services at the Primitive Methodist Church, Geraldine, the Kev. W. S. Fetter (President of the Primitive Methodist Church Conference) delivered a lecture on Monday evening on "Moral Heroism." The rev. gentleman said there were three kinds of courage. The first he designated ".Reckless Daring." Men of this class were indifferent to danger, and would put their heads into the lion's mouth out of mere bravado, asd disturb him in his den for the sake of his skin. Theirs was simply a brute courage, that did not include the finer feelings of the truly heroic man. The second form of couroge was displayed by men, who, though not insensible to danger, from love of country, devotion to duty, or feelings of friendship, overcame their feara. The third, and highest form of cemrage, was that which adhered with unvarying consistency to duty, truth, and conscience, in spite of opposition and hardships, and irrespective of affection, friendship, patriotism, and all opposing forces. Jt was that spirit which said "I could not love thee, dear, so well, loved I not honor more." hpecimens of this acme of all moral heroism could be found everywhere. The lecturer went on to refer to those who had given time, talents, and even life itself, to the work of lessening physical suffering* In this connection he paid a high tribute to the medical profession, and also to hospital and other nurses of . the sick. He next referred to those who had displayed heroic conduct in righting social wrongs, and gave a brief sketch of John Howard's prison reform work, and of the abolition of the slave trade in America. He said no class of men were more deserving of the prayer and sympathy of all right thinking people than the Prohibitionist Licensing Commissioners of this colony. He told of one poor man who had been offered a cheque for £SO if he would cease to work for Prohibition, but be V spurned the offer. The next class of ' heroes he referred to were those of the mission field. The names of Carey, Livingstone, Drs Moffatt and Morrison, were mentioned, and special reference was made to Yolkner and others who had sacrificed home pleasures, and even life itself, in the interests of mission work in New Zealand. Another class of heroes referred to were those who had resisted

errors in science and religion. The lecturer declared 'there was no real antagonism between religion and science. Family heroism was not uncommon, and some notable instances were given, such as the heroism of Sarah Martin, Miss Nightingale, Lady Huntingdon, and Grace Barling. The latter part of the lecture consisted of a s eries of word pictures illustrative of the evils of intemperance and | gambling, and the speaker asserted that the social evil and corruptions of modern society were largely due to moral cowardice. In concludiog he pointed out that it was necessary to cultivate the heroio spirit, and that there was no position in life, however, humble, in which moral heroism could not be displayed. The greatest of heroes was Christ. As a hero, Christ was inspired with the grandest of all dispositions. The heroic spirit of Christ was the great want of the present age in the parliaments, in the pits, in Bocial, and all other phases of life.

On Tuesday evening the Rev. Mr Potter delivered a ■imilar lecture in the Primitive Methodist Church, Temuka. There was a fair] attendance and all listened with the utmost attention to the lecture, which was very interesting. The Rev. Mr Wood occupied the chair and made a few remarks on the subject of Missions.