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Newspaper Clippings for
January, 1868

from Gazette4 January 1868
On Thursday, 26th --- Rev. Thomas Lightbody lectured on "The Duration of Memory, or Do We ever Altogether Forget?"

In the first place he laid before his hearers some considerations and facts that make the opinion of Bacon and others, that no thoughts are lost that what we seem to forget has only been laid up in some of the secret recesses of the Memory, to be reproduced when the mind is in a proper state, with all the distinctness of the original impression, at least probable. He then, in the second place, suggested some practical improvement of the subject; particularly that if memory be such a faculty then our own interest, and the interests of others, both in this world and in the next, demand that we be very careful what we read, hear, say, look upon or do. The lecture contained a number of striking facts, and was apparently listened to with considerable interest.. L

from Gazette11 January 1868
This evening, the fifth of a series of lectures was delivered here by Rev. Thos. Lightbody; subject, "How to Improve a Poor Memory." The following were some of the suggestions given:

In order to the improvement of the memory prayer is important; also a conscientious and strict adherence to the truth at all times. We should avoid those excesses that might tend to put our mind out of working order. We should not neglect to exercise our memory. The art of memory is little more than the art of attention. Whatever we are most interested in, we are in least danger of forgetting. Repetition or review is very necessary. If we understand what we read or hear, this will be a great help to the memory. It is difficult to remember what is not and comparatively easy to recollect what is methodically arranged. Many find it easier to retain in their memories what has been turned into verse.

Reflecting on what we wish to remember has an excellent effect. Few things will impress facts more on our memories than writing them down in our own language as thus we are obliged to string the beads of knowledge on the thread of thought. Telling or teaching others what we wish to recollect has perhaps more effect than anything else in fixing them in our own minds. The lecture concluded with a few remarks on artificial systems of memory. L.

from Gazette18 January 1868
The sixth of a series of lectures was delivered this evening by Rev. Thomas Lightbody, on "Mothers or the Illustration of the Adage, 'The Hand that Rocks the Cradle Moves the World'".

The lecture referred at length to the mothers mentioned in the Scriptures and ancient classics, to the mothers of Emperors and other Sovereigns, of American Presidents, of statesmen, of scientific and learned men, of poets, of philanthropists, and of Christian ministers and missionaries.

He thus endeavored in the class of about one hundred distinguished persons to trace their mental and moral characteristics to their mothers. The lecture concluded with practical remarks and the great importance of the mother, and her immense influence for good or for evil.

The re-delivery of this lecture had been scheduled for Millburn, Jan. 9 1868. L

from Gazette25 January 1868
This evening, Rev. Thomas Lighbody lectured here on the following subject: "The Sabbath a law of Nature as well as of Revelation". He endeavored by a large number of testimonies and facts to prove that the Sabbath law is written by the Creator on the bodies, both of men and other laboring animals; that the Sabbath holds the same relation to the week that the light does to the day; that quite as much as sleep, it may be called nature's sweet restorer; that it is the weekly winding up required by the human machine; that continuous labor, it matters not whether it be with the hands or head; will soon break down the most healthy; that we can not give up our Sabbaths without a suicidal invasion of the vital powers; that the law of the Sabbath is authored with a penalty which no continued violation of it can either annul or cancel; that what is true of the wicked generally, is emphatically so of Sabbath breakers, "they live not half their days;" that were we animals merely with no lives after the present, it would be to our interest to keep the Sabbath; that more work is done and better done by those who labor six days and rest the seventh, than by those who toil all the seven; in a word, that those who in their greed exact seven days work from their employees, really get less than what six days should yield. L
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