LECTURE ON "AMERICAN EXPERIENCES."

Tuapeka Times, Volume VI, Issue 270, 3 April 1873, Page 7

LECTURE ON "AMERICAN EXPERIENCES."

A lecture on this subject was delivered by Rev. Henry Bull on Thursday, at +he Blue Spur. Mr. M'Lelland, ■who occupied the chair, after some prefatory remarks, called upon the lecturers to address the meeting, Mr. Bull began his lecture by taking a brief survey of the immense territorial possessions of the United States, their magnificent lakes, and vast resources ; qnoting Allison's opinion, without accepting it, in regard to the probable decline of British power compared with the. increasing grandeur, population, and influence of her North American neighbour. The social condition of the Americans was next passed in review, and several amusing anecdotes related roappcting the resources of their vocabulary, their humor, and smart dealings. The leotureroommented upon the heroic deeds of the Pilgrim Fathers, and the lasting murks they had left upon the Hew .England State*.. These I wore seen at the present day, in the existence of the various philanthi'opic . institutions, whose timely charity did much -to alleviate human suffering and woe, Mr. Bull referred to the fertility of the United States iv tbe production of eccentiie development ' of religion. A merica was the seat and stronghold of the Mormons, the Shakers, the Tinkers, the Spiritists, the Come-outers, &c. A short sketch was given of Joe Smith, Bri ham Young • the rise, progress, and j resent position of Mormoniain, The Shakers and the doctrines of Shakerisua ' were next reviewed. The founder of the Shakers was an Ann Lee, who professed to- be the Apocalyptic Bride

spoken of in the book of Revelation. She held that Christ had actually appeared on earth, and that the command to multiply had ceased. Hence every Shaker was a monk, and every Shakeress a nun. Their form of worship included marching, dancing, and singing. They, took no part in politics, gave no election' votes, lived in district settlements, dined iri' silence at a public table, after the Spartan fashion. The followers of Ann Lee numbered about 7,000. The lecturer related some laughable incidents in illustration of Spiritualism. The creed of the Come-outers was a very simple one. They had two articles of faith. One, social equality ; the other, that every church besides their own was either dead or dying. It might be enquired how it came to pass that so many were found with so much credulity as to pin their faith to so many opposite, defiant, and monstrous creeds. But there was no accounting for what men would believe. Any new creed only required a bold and confident leader and, however ridiculous it might be, it would soon obtain credulous believers and valiant defenders. This point was illustoitsd by a touching incident respecting the loss of a thousand sheep, an account of which lately appeared in the newspapers. ■ The bellwether having noticed an open window in a covered bridge — 500 feet above high water mark — which was being crossed, and recognising his destiny, leapt through and descended to his fate: The others followed. For hours it rained sheep, and never ceased until the brief tail of the last sheep — as it passed through the window — waved adieu to a tronblesome -world. In some respects men were like sheep, and were only too ready to follow a bold leader, and to embrace any new creed he might present to them. The lecturer then remarked upon the free institutions of America, the abolition of slavery, giving some humerous illustrations of African character ; and closed by reading Charles Dickens' description of his visit to the Niagara Falls. '

The usual votes of thanks were moved by Messrs Carey and Luke, and to the chairmaD by the lecturer.