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tmam

trUE A.C3-E

AND rra

YOUNG MEN".

A LECTURE,

DELIVERED BEFORE IIIB

gourig ^m's %istisn gssfltiation of falifat

ON THE OPENING OF THE SESSION 1857-8.

BY THl!

REV. JOHN HUNTER,

CRAIiHERS' FREE CHURCH,

HALIFAX.

. > • • t

». • • •

t • •

• • • . • ' 1 \ ■ • « "

'• ".l.T* «

HALIFAX:

FMllrrED AT TOE WB8LBYAN OONFBBENCS STBAJI FRBBa

1857.

• * Tbw Locturo woa norcr mtcndod for publication, and is now

Bcnt to tho press without muoli-uo<Hlcd cornxiUon.

J, H.

: :'"■'••'.

« « •

- . - . - • " - •

' « 4 • • • .

•

Mb. President, —

The invitation with which your Association has honored me to ^ve the
opening Lecture of the season is a cause of no slight gi-atification. Yet
there mingles with the pleasure a sense of weighty responsibility, a pres-
sure of thoughts that long for utterance ; a solemn questioning with my
spirit as to how this present duty may be faithfully performed.

It is with tlie earnest desire to speak truths that may be pennanently
useful that I enter this evening on the consideration of some point*
oonnected with

THE AGE — AND ITS YOUNQ MEN.

The terms are somewhat indefinite. Perhaps, too, they are not very
•easy to define. Yet every one has a tolerably accurate idea of what is
meant by them without any formal explanation. All are familiar with
such expressions as the Augustan Age ; Ago of Louis 14th ; Age of
Charles 2nd ; — without fooling the need of nny research we attach at once
dititinct notions to those phrases. The first we at once speak of as a period
distijiguishod by tlie pcrtbction of its literature ; the second as a time that
exhibited tlie mingled glories of arms and of letters surrounded by royal
pomp ; while tlio third lias in point of space a more limited reference to
the land of England; and to a time when her cliaracter was disgi'aced by
the prevalonco of open unblushing profligacy. Thus we can understand
how a distinct notion maybe formed of what "this Age" means, even
ihoiigli the nunil)or of years over wliit^li it spreads may not be specified;
and also how it may present to the o})server a certain form or character if
lie can only roach a true point of view from wliicli to mark its fast fleeting
features. There is no doubt a considerable difficulty in a contemporary
forming an opinion of his own times. Ho lives too near the events, it
may bo, to ptu'niit him to look at them on all sides with philosopliic candor;
and his own character may be too much moulded by thuir influence. He
may be disposed to take too bright or too desponding a view of the state o
matters around him. Ho may exaggerate or diminish unduly their im-
portance. Novertheloss the very attempt to consider thom is practically
benoliciai; and if rightly conducted must lead to the cstabliiihinent of pro-
per principles of action,

58171

Wm AQSI AND ITS TOUMa MEM.

When I speak, then, of Young Men and of this Age let me be undfei^
Btood to mean by tlie former those who commonly go by that name ; those
whose characters are not yet fully formed, or their position iii society fully
established, — who are in the period of growth and enthusiasm, and who.
are, therefore, peculiarly liable to be affected biy the plastic influences
around them, fey the age let me bo understood to mean not simply a
certain number of years or given period of time, but also the habits, opin-
ions, literature, tendencies of that period. It is not necessary that these
habits and tendencies should be fully understood or set forth in distinct
language in order to produce an effect on the character of men. The
viewless air around is continually doing two mighty works of an opposite
nature. Imperceptibly and impalpably it is wearing away the rocks, eating
into tlio strength of the everlasting hills, crumbluig into ruins the once
solid walls of ancient castle towers ; while at the same time it is renewing
the face of the earth with the verdure of each succeeding spring, paiiting
the dreara-Uke beauty of the flower and building up the enduring strength
of the forest. So, imperceptibly, silently, the thoughts and habits of an
age may be wearing down, the manhood and character of a poeple, or may
be building them up into confirmed vigor.

It is of no small importance, then, that we should not allow the mighty
influences working on society around us to go on unmarked, unreckoned,
or unguided. It is of not less importance that we should come to the
consideration of them possessed of some right criterion of opinion and
action ; that all men, but especially young men should learn to measure
their age beside Eternity — nor allow the near and the little to shut out the
great and the abiding — nor thuxk as the untravelled or unread that all tho
world lies in sight of their own door, but rise to the contemplation of moro
extended views, of higher truth, of more permanent influences than can
be given by any limited views as to place or tune.

The river rises amid unseen mountains. It rushes on its course through
rifted gorge, or sweeps over tranquil plain. At one time thundering down
through rocks that offer opposition all in vain, at another gliding through
the fertile valley— now leaping with wild might from the precipice, again
spreading in majestic flow its many winding course, to hide itself in the
distant sea. Beside its banks in many quiet reaches whither it bends its
wandering wave, are cities, villages, and the scattered abodes of men.
Those who live beside its banks camwt behold the beginning or mark the
ending of its race. To them tho river is sunply that small part within
view bounded by the opposite side and the curving bend on either hand ;
and by far the greater number find in that narrow space their living world
of hope, fear, desire, influence.— Such is time. A stream flowing from
the heights of the bye gone Eternity untraversed by creature step, unseen,
by angel ken, and ever rolling on to join the unbegun Eternity beyond. Its
beginning is hid behind tho curtained darkness of chaos, its ending is lost
in the bnghtness of light inaccessible. Its course is varied, yet ever on,-
and on with resistless power to reach its destined goal. The generationa
of men dwell on its banks and the windings of the river hide each succeed-

* ♦^

'■*/*. :

^ HflB AOB AND ITS FOUNG MEN. 5

ing race from the other's view. Aaitirae curved round that headland your
inliuit life began ; when it rounds that farther point you will have sunk
beneath its waters. I'he most of men dwell witbia these reaches of the
river failing to think of the past even as they fail to see the future. Their
present time — its occupations, cares, ambitions are all in all to them. They
seldom rise to headlands of thoughts that they may look back where gene-
rations once a« active, as busy lived, who are now all silent and gone ;
seldom turn their gaze to the vast illimitable beyond, that dreaded point, so
as to feel how small the Present Now compared with the Hereafter.

I shall now invite your attention to certain statements which stand in
close connection with the foregoing general trutlis. You may call them
principles or facts whichever you may choose. JMy first fact or principle
is that the Age necessarily influences its Young Men. My second fact or
prir«We is that Young Men necessarily influence their Ago.

Wmn we consider what the Age really is — that it consists of the habits,
opinions, literature, tendencies of the time, it may seem almost a truism to
say that it exerts an influence on its Young Men. How can it bo other-
wise ? A man must be affected more or less by the moral and intellectual
atmospliere with whii-h he is snnoundod. Every one is aware of the
influence exercised on him by the daily companions of life — how insensibly
liis opinions are moulded by theirs, liow their habits of conduct, modes of
life, fashions, mannerisms, all hstvo some eflfeet in giving direction to his
thoughts and tone to his feelin,2s, so as to make him the man he actually is.
There is a natural dislike to aj)|»ear singular, which readily disposes many
to acquiesce in the views and customs of the multitude. Besides there is
a real power in the continual reiteration of the same opinions which none,-
not even the strongest minds, can wholly resist. This constantly enforced
expression of the same views meets us not only in ordinary conversation or
in the intercourse of business but in the more tangible and impressive
form of literature. 'Wq books — the current reading of any jxiriod are
genuine offshoots from its Ao^y'v hidden tendencies and thoughts. We
cannot imagine, certainly never heard of a literature which was read that
ran counter to the prejudices of its readers. And then how vast its effect,
especially on the y<.>ung. 8traiige thought I — the dead affect the living !
A book — a printed page ! a still and silent thing convince and sway tibe
living mind of man. Y'et so it is — and who has not felt the magic tonch
with "which the silent words have swept his heart strings, rousing within the
minstrelsy of feeling. Not that the cold inanimate fonn can wield this
power ; that form is but the medium by which minds hold converse. Thus
whether it be by outward act — such as public fashions and national habits ;
or by the language of the living tongue of man, or by the printed page,
the aggregate opinion of the multitude necessarily must exercise a vast
inflnence on each memlicr of society.

It is not always enough to know a fact — ^we must also sometimes know
the reason of it in oi-der riglitly to comprehend the fact itself. Would we
have power to counteract or to guide the influence which the age exerts on
the individual, we must have some clue to the secret of its strength. It is

{

THB AGS AND ITS TOUNQ UlOr.

not simply that men are imitative animals, there if« a deeper reason for ihi»
wide spread imitation. Man does not copy blindly or without a plan, but
in accordanoo with docp-seated principles of his being. lie is so consti-
tuted that thau which is generally admired, excites within him a kindred
feeling of admiration ; and ho is forthwith impelled as by necessity to strive
after and imitate that which he has learned to admire.

I shall now ask your consideration of the fact or piinciple that Young
Men necessarily influence their Age.

Tlney form a large and an active part of every community. Perhaps of
all the classes of which eacli conununity is composed they are the most
likely to receive the impress of their time for good or for evil. If they do
nothing more than reflect in their own individual characters the character
of their period, then, like the mirror placed behind the Lighthouse lamp
that intensifies the blaze, throwing its beams over a greatly extende<^ sur-
face, they increase and continue the power of tliose tendencies which they

not origniate.

did

When the citizens of Athens grew in wealth they began to depart from
their former simplicity of living. The youths caught tne example, and
not content with mere invitation they advanced as far beyond the first
innovators as they had before their ancestral hardihood. Thus the Young'
Men intensified the evil of their tune by accelerating the downward course
of luxury and vice, which sunk the mi^ht of Athenian greatness and hid
the lustre of Athenian genius.

Up to this point I have been engaged in setting forth general views, and
no one can feel more fully than I do how meagre has been the statement of
tliem — they have ratlier been hinted at than unfolded. Let us now enter
on the more special investigation of what this Age is in relation to those
who live in it.

It would be trite, indeed, to talk of this as the Age of Progi-ess — of
the rapidity with which men travel and information spreads. Yet these
are great and influential facts. It is not less tme that men now-a-day»
live too rapidly, — ^there is a hastening to be rich — a hastening to be wise —
a hastening to be foolish — there is a break-ne(ik race of emulation or com-
petition in which not a few of the mnners stumble.

This is peculiarly an Age of combmation, of associated effort. For-
merly men trusted in Heroes — in great men, — now they look for help from
Joint Stock Companies or Afiiliated Societies. Is tlmre any new or great
thing to be done in Church or world ? then ther'; is a gatlioring together
of many heads and many hands, and the individual man is merged in the
Society or Committee of which he is a part.

This is an age of expediency and of materialism. There is a tendency to
make success the standard of excellence. Men strongly incline now-a-days
to let circumstances mould their principles rather than make prmciples
mould their circumstances.

This is an Age of great scientific attamment and of profound investigar
tion, — yet also of the most trivial superficiality, — the few dig deep for
knowledge — the many are content with a mere smattering of information.

■■■P

THB AQB AND ITS TOUNO MZK.

}n for Uii»
plan, but
so consti-
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hat Young

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id the first
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dig deep for

information.

. Yet think not that I wish to give sm tvil character to our Time. There
tre many an^?.ncie8 ut work for good — many for evil. There is much that
is ominous of danger — much that is full of h()[)e. The Ago is active —
earcest — practical. There is no time for dreaming, for inaction, for
triviality. All around may bo heard tho rusii of onward progress or tho
fiound of coming changes. They are heard in the (Jhurcli and in tho
world. Mercantile opert^ons are not now conducted as in fonner tiraesy
there is a pressure of competition, a hurry of occupjvtion and an intense
anxiety onco unknown. Political parties are brealving up before the growth
of new opinions, which are sweeping men onward they know not whither.
Social relations are changing, education is spreading, and the cndb of the
earth brought into unwonted contact are exerting a frosh influence on each
other. In the region of opinion things sacred and things profane are under-
going examination. I am not sorry for it. Men will nut ;eceive anything
as true simply because formerly believed. Miird is re.«tless in en(iuiry.
And yet with all this activity and power, betokening hardihood of thought,
there is a feature of the Age which presents a strange contrast to tho
foregoing. Tho general Literature most read is in character strikmgly
different from the general course of action. It is for tho most part light,
frivolous, relaxing in its nature, — nothing in it to brace up the mental
strength and fit it for genuine toil. And on that symptom I look with
alarm, for it betokens mucli of feverish, unhealthy excitement, in connec-
tion witli the active, vigorous striving of our time. It tells of a dangerous
undei-current which, if not counteracted, will drift the s<jcial vessel among
tho breakers. There have been plain signs given of its existence and of
its course in the alarming disclosures of reckless living and utter want of
principle, combined with singular skill and daring in the pecuniary frauds
of the old and new workl, — frauds that have stained the sliield of proud
names in the aristocracy of Britain — that have shown bad faith in the circles
of her merchant prhices whose very word was once inviolable — that have
eaten as a canker into classes of inferior name — that have spread as a
festering sore over whole districts of a great ueighl)ouring laml.

Now is there not cause for alarm when these two facts are considered in
their connection — that there there is abroiid in active exercise a spirit of
the most unsparing enquiry, at the very time when the great majority of
youthful minds are rapidly disqualifying themselves, either for thoughtful
examination or for intelligent reception of its results ? I repeat that I
rejoice in free unfetterred thought as a glorious privilege in itself, that as
a Minister of tho Gospel I am glad to behold on the one side scientific
research questioning the secret workings of the Creator, and on the other
side critical investigation trying and testing each fact, each doctrine con-
tained in the Word of the Kedeemer. But I should wish also that the
mmds to whom these results are to be presented should at least be capable
of mtmly thought. And it is not for readers of novels, or light skimmers
of magazines, for those who have emasculated their mental power by
frivolous engagements, whose knowledge of mankind is gamed in the ball
room or at the cai-d table, who, by yielding to luxurious desires, havo

rnrr

wm^mm

THB AQB AND IT8 TOUNO MHN-

Btrcnn;tlicnc(l tho Imhit of indulgent and wcakoned the power of Belf^
control, —it is not for suoh as these to look upon tlie inajostu- fuce of Truth
through the dark fogs of jMiHsionate prejudice, or the drifting clouds of
opposing argiun"nts.

We live not in an Age of Peace but of War. T speak not of tho
op[Hjsitton of contonding hosts, but of the great strife of opinion, of that
ancient feud lietween truth and error vfhicb has been so long an affair of
outyK).stH, but wliich now is ending in elose and deadly strife, — of opinion
which shall yet liuil the monarch from his throne and pluck the tiara from
tho priest, which sliall overturn Empires, remoulding the ha})its, the
characters, tlie destinies (jf their populations. It is a strife so tremendous,
that it resembles not the contentions of men but the unrestrained boister-
ousn(>ss of elemental war. On the one side we have the onward sweep of
infidelity, su|M.'rstilion, luxury, all united in one surging tide, the roaring of
which is as tli<; waves of the sea, while behind their front we may behold
with the j)ro[»het clouds of darkness and shapes of fear, tribulation and
anguish, the degradation of o\u- race and the rise of relentless tyranny.
On the other hand we beliold Christianity spreading her silver waves.
Hope sits enthroned on (he foremost bi'low, peace foUows serene behind.
Above, the An^ l having the everlasting (losjjel in his hand si)eeds on his
way, while once again we hear the voice of blessed immortals singing
there shall be glory to God in tho Highest, ou earth peace, goodwill to tho
children of men.

Now I address myself personally, to you Young Men. It is with a
feeling of intense s)ini)athy that I do eo. Yon have honored me with an
invitation to address you this nigiit as an Instructor. JJelieve me that
while doing so, I take you to my heart with a brother's love. Let me,
Mien, claim the privilege of affection and speak to you with all honesty,
and all boldness.

First, let me recapitulate. We have already found that tho Age neces-
sarily influences its Young Men. That Young Men must necessarily
influence their Age. Thei'e is ever going on a constant flow and ebb of
invisible power, 'J'liere is a continual acti()U and reaction of mighty
agencies that are affecting the interests of our race; and the question
before you is this. Who is to be predominant, the Age or i^s living Young
Men? Are your circumstances to mould you, or will you mould your
circumstances V Are you to be mere passi'e atoms in the midst of active
agencies around, taking your habits, characters and opinions from others,
reflecting and perjK'tuating them without the exercise of any res[)onsible
influence of your own 'i Or will you rise up to tlie height of your true
dignity as sharers in the lordship over this lower world ?

Deem not that I speak to you of impossibilities when I call on you to
do your share in moulding your age, and not to permit it wholly to
influence you. It is no visionary scheme of Quixotic enterprise that I
set before you. The opinions, habits, character of an Ago arc but tho
aggregate of its Individuals ; and you, each of you, the youngest, feeblest,
leaat influential, owe a duty to your generation, and are able to benefit it.

r of Hftt^

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ise that I
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benefit it*

Tin AG! Alts ITS TOUNQ tfKN. 9

But, in order that you may do bo, you must learn habits of mental hardi-
hood ; you must resist evil, and join yourself heartily to that whieh is
good. There is a tendency of the "age to associated effort, which I have
already noticed ; and this, though good in itself, may have an adverse
influence on your Individuality — may tempt you to sink your personal
influflnce, your personal responaibility. Beware, I pray you, of this
temptation.

In this time of expediency you will be tempted often to do what will
succeed rather than what is right. Remember that success is fleeting-^-
that truth abideth for ever. Take care what you read : you cannot feed
on poison and live ; you cannot live on slops and be muscular : so neither
can fyou nourish your mind on pollution, or strengthen it on effemmate
fictions. Cultivate true manlmes?. " My son, if sinners entice thee, consent
thou not." Be not afraid — be not ashamed to say to empty-headed sin-
ners around you, " I will not do this wickedness and sin against my God."
Cherish high aims— lofty aspirations. Seek after that which is noble.
Cultivate the true heroic spirit — the true sy)irit of patriotism : lot your
first duty be to your God — your second to ^our country.

But the Age holds continual comraunic tion with you — ^you drink in its
influence at every pore. There is a strange fascination in th».examplo of
fashion — a strange power in the continual silent pressure of companions
and of business occupations. Yes, and y<ju often feel that this is real
slavery of spirit, while you writhe under the sorcery from which there
seems to be no disenchantment — for that which you can see with bodily
eye, toucli witli bodily hand, hear with bodily ear, — hem you in on every
side. Yes, and it is these things which ediicatt the majority of our young
men. There are two educations which we all receive — that of the school,
and that given by Society aiound : at sclu»ol we are taught knowledge,
but society teaches us wliat to admire. The youth leaves his father's
house ; or, reiiiuining tliere, begins to mingle in other ciicloft. He hears
their conversation, observes their habits, and without any formal 'raining
imperceptibly catclics their tone. Tliar wliicli his companions admire, ha
learns to admire ; and tlierefore, that wliich thoy do, he learns to do.

Hence, we have in one set, our Fast Young Man. He has early
learned to admire the habit of reckless expenditure. He aspu-es to the
character of an (>])eu-han(led, generous fellow. Tear aside the veil, i;nd
let him stand forth for what he really is ; — his generosity ! the extreme of |
selfish indulgence — liis open-handed liberality, tlve meanness of dishonest^
to others.

And we have in another set our Good-matured Young Man — no one's
enemy but his own. He is pleasantrtempered when not quite dmnk, and
always willing to oblige when he has enough intellect at his disposal to
enable him to do so.

And we have our Gay Young Man. He is the life of parties. Who.
eo merry 'l and who so agreeable ? And at his own home, how often.
nurly, ill-tempered, and disobliging.

THE AOB AND ITS TOLNQ MEM.

I will not spoak before this audience of deeper and darker stains of
character ; 1/nt I will warn you against that Education of admiration
wliii^h hocicty ton -enerally j^ives to its Young Mon — an education, the
results of xkliicli arc too often seen in fair hopes blighted — in young live8
early (jucikIkmI — in mnny a father's heart bowed Avitli sorrow — in tho
sanctuary of many a niotfior's chamber, made a place of bitter weeping —
in the (Iriftiug wrecks of humanity which float, alas ! far too frequently,
on the surface of society.

There was :i youno; inau once — a stranger, a captive, and a youth — ^far
from his fatlicr's dwclliiig ; yet ho did not despond. Ho was a diligent
plodder. Whatever work was given him to do, he did it carefully and
well. He was assaih^l by temptations to vice such as few have ever been
tried with and have resisted, yet he maintained his virtue. And that
lonely slave, that |)atient [)loilder, rose to be Prune-minister of Pharaoh —
to bo lord of Egypt.

There was also another young man — a captive too — but surrounded by
no hardships. He was the cherished inmate of a I'oyal palace. Luxuries
were heaped on him. Tie was tempted, entreated, commanded to uso
them. But he purposed in his heart to follow a noble course, he entered
on the path of self-deiiia]. That man attained the favor of God and tho
friendship of kings, and his name hath come down to us garlanded with
the renown of wisdom.

Need I remind you of ^Villiam Pitt, at the age of 23 ruling in tho
Senate of Britain and guiding the affairs of tliat Empire on which tho
Sun never sets; of Napoleon Buonaparte, at 2G con((ueror of an adverse
destiny and victor over lt:dy ; or of Hanuihal, the great cnjitaln of anti-
quity, who at 2") had already done (niougli for fame? Wliat was tho
secret of these men's success V Take a liandrul of feathers: throw them
against that wall. Y^ou CMUiKjt ; the slightest breeze blows thora back ;
the ordinary resistance of tlio air cannot lie oviM'cotne liy thorn. Take
tho-se same fcathiTs — conqircss tlivni : they will make a ball that 3'ou can
hurl to its mai'k in face of a rushing tempest, that can make its way
throuoh every .ilisi;a!e. Now. let tliis illustration teach the true answer
to my (j^uery, What was tlie secret of these men's success? It was con-
centrated power of ]mr])os(', leading to concentrated energy of character.
They did not dissipate their strength on trifles, (ir they never wouhl have
stood forth as mighty anaaig tiie children of men. Imitate them in this
respect (I speak not of their chaiacteis generally), bnt u\' tlieir undaunted
mental hardihood. Let your aims be honest and nolile, tlien fellow thcra
out witli refiolute determination. Then, though you may not be great,
you will live so as to bo useful: when you die, you will he, mis'-ed.

And now come, young man! come for awliile — sland under tho
shadow of the unseen, ^fhe Age is fast passing away: all those things
which s(KMn so great and abiding, so tem]>ting and pleasant now. shall
won fide away. Beyond your present heallli is a time of sickness ;■
beyond }our pres:>nt life is tho hour of ileath; beyond your present indtv

THJB AGE AND ITS YODNO MEN.

rker stains of
' admiratiQn
Incation, the
young lives
•vow — in tho
jr weeping —

freiiuently,

1 youth — ^far
ras a diligent
3arefuily and
ve ever been

And that
f Pharaoh —

rroundcd by
e. Luxuries
nded to U80
;, he entered
Jod and tho
rlundod with

|iendence is the Judgment Throne, before which, all helpless and alone,
you must stand in tlie presence of God. Would you rightly do your duty
to your age ? Would you rightly prepare for meeting with your Judge ?
Then let mo point you to a higher than earthly example for your imitation,
to a higher than earthly model for your admiration. Talce (hiuiST Jesus
to be your Guide in life, and He will not forsake you in death. He hath
condescended not only to become the Atoning .Sacrifice, but also tho
Example for His people. Once He lived on earth, a young man, tried
and " temi)ted in all points like as you are, yet without sin ;" so that Ho
is able to sympathize with you in your difficulties, as well as to save you
from your sins. When the mighty angel sliall plant one foot on the sea
and the other on dry knd, and swear by Him that liveth forever and ever
that Time shall be no longer — when Ages, and Centuries, and Milleniums
fiave been swallowed up in Eternity — then may you, Young Men — may
you, each one of my hearers, rejoice with osceuding joy in the brightnea
of Everksting Day !

ruling in tho
n which tho
if an adverse
itain of anti-
hat was tho
tlu'ow tliem
tlicm back ;
lioin. Take
tlnit 3'ou can
iiako its way
: true answer
It was con-
of cliaracter.
■ would Iiavo
them in this
ir unihiunted
t loilow them
lot 1)0 great,
lis^od.

d under tho
tlinse tilings
t now, sli;;!l
of sickness ;
present indo-

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